Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,
We recently adopted a 3 year old jack russell from a rescue.
He is a sweet, sweet dog. Inside the house all he does is sleep and want to be petted. He is not hyper at all inside. He doesn't play with any toys, balls etc. He has no intrest in them at all. He gets along great with kids, babies and all people. He just wants attention.
Outside....this is another story. He can not be off lead. Ever. He is so fast, and when he gets going, he doen't listen at all.
When ever he sees another dog (which there are lots of around) he lunges, growls, bears his teeth, and starts barking like crazy. He wants to attack the other dog. There are 2 fights he's had since we've had him. The first one we were walking in our on leash park. We walked by a lady with her poodle, both dogs were barking. When were were about 20 feet past, the lady accidentally dropped the leash on her dog. Her dog ran up to ours, and started to attack. Our dog (Eddie) grabbed a hold of the poodles muzzle, and locked his jaw. Then he stared shaking the poodle like a rag doll. We finally got them apart. Eddie was perfectly fine, the other dog had a bit of blood, but nothing serious. The next fight actually happened yesterday. Our neighbors across the street have a cocker spaniel named Target. Since our neighbors are friends of ours, we are trying to get the dogs used to each other. We started taking them for walks together, far enough that they can't attack each other. (They both snarl, growl and lunge evertime they see each other) by the time we get to the end of the street, they ignore each other (still not close enough to reach each other) But then when they all of a sudden realize each other is there, they start up again.
So yesterday I had Eddie on his long 20 lead in the front yard. Target got out of his house, and came over for a "visit" At first (3 seconds) they smelled each other (faces) and someone let out a bark, and then they started to fight. Eddie again locked his jaw. This time on Targets back. Then they started rolling around fighting. Eddie was on top, so we grabbed is tail, and he wouldn't let go, then we tried the throat, and he finally let loose, only long eouugh to get right out of his collar, and start the fight again! We got them loose and took them into their homes. Eddie was fine!! Target bounded into his own house with his tail wagging! No blood at all this time.
So I am scared to take him for walks, as he tries all the time to attach other dogs!! There has never been one dog that he has just ignored.
According to his foster family, he was never abused. A young girl (student) had him in a tiny apartment, and she was gone long periods. Therefore, he got no attention whatsoever. Jacks need LOTS of excersize! We take him for 1 run per day and at least 1 walk also. Also, my husband is a firefighter so with his shift work, Eddie is very rarely alone.
I just want to be able to control this aggression. We have tried the water bottle. This does not work. When he is trying to go after (sees) another dog, nothing will control him. He will not listen to anything. The water does not phase him at all! We've tried the ultasonic trainer, and again, when he's got his mind on the other dog, it doesn't work.
We'd love to take him to classes, but the trainers have said we need to get his agression under control before they can take him in class.
Any advice?
Amanda

>>Hi there,
>>We recently adopted a 3 year old jack russell from a rescue.
>>He is a sweet, sweet dog. Inside the house all he does is sleep and want to be petted. He is not hyper at all inside. He doesn't play with any toys, balls etc. He has no intrest in them at all. He gets along great with kids, babies and all people. He just wants attention.
>>Outside....this is another story. He can not be off lead. Ever. He is so fast, and when he gets going, he doen't listen at all.
>>When ever he sees another dog (which there are lots of around) he lunges, growls, bears his teeth, and starts barking like crazy. He wants to attack the other dog. There are 2 fights he's had since we've had him. The first one we were walking in our on leash park. We walked by a lady with her poodle, both dogs were barking. When were were about 20 feet past, the lady accidentally dropped the leash on her dog. Her dog ran up to ours, and started to attack. Our dog (Eddie) grabbed a hold of the poodles muzzle, and locked his jaw. Then he stared shaking the poodle like a rag doll. We finally got them apart. Eddie was perfectly fine, the other dog had a bit of blood, but nothing serious. The next fight actually happened yesterday. Our neighbors across the street have a cocker spaniel named Target. Since our neighbors are friends of ours, we are trying to get the dogs used to each other. We started taking them for walks together, far enough that they can't attack each other. (They both snarl, growl and lunge evertime they see each other) by the time we get to the end of the street, they ignore each other (still not close enough to reach each other) But then when they all of a sudden realize each other is there, they start up again.
>>So yesterday I had Eddie on his long 20 lead in the front yard. Target got out of his house, and came over for a "visit" At first (3 seconds) they smelled each other (faces) and someone let out a bark, and then they started to fight. Eddie again locked his jaw. This time on Targets back. Then they started rolling around fighting. Eddie was on top, so we grabbed is tail, and he wouldn't let go, then we tried the throat, and he finally let loose, only long eouugh to get right out of his collar, and start the fight again! We got them loose and took them into their homes. Eddie was fine!! Target bounded into his own house with his tail wagging! No blood at all this time.
>>So I am scared to take him for walks, as he tries all the time to attach other dogs!! There has never been one dog that he has just ignored.
>>According to his foster family, he was never abused. A young girl (student) had him in a tiny apartment, and she was gone long periods. Therefore, he got no attention whatsoever. Jacks need LOTS of excersize! We take him for 1 run per day and at least 1 walk also. Also, my husband is a firefighter so with his shift work, Eddie is very rarely alone.
>>I just want to be able to control this aggression. We have tried the water bottle. This does not work. When he is trying to go after (sees) another dog, nothing will control him. He will not listen to anything. The water does not phase him at all! We've tried the ultasonic trainer, and again, when he's got his mind on the other dog, it doesn't work.
>>We'd love to take him to classes, but the trainers have said we need to get his agression under control before they can take him in class.
>>Any advice?
>>Amanda

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

YOu'll need to start out with private lessons to get the dog under control. ASk your veterinarian to recommend a private trainer in the area. You might also contact the trainers you talked to about classes and ask who they recommend for private lessons. A head halter or muzzle will help control him to get started working on the problem.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com