Need advice - Dog woes

[excobraguy]

I have a Jack Russell terrier that is roughly 7 years old. The dog is in great condition, so this isn't a question about him having a physical condition and whether or not to put him down for it.......the problem is the dog has bitten 2 kids that have came over to my house. The dog is chained up outside as he destroys things inside the house when he is in there, chews up everything! So he will never be an inside dog.

It's getting to the point where I no longer want to worry about my neighbors kids coming over and getting bitten. I agree it would be their fault or their parent's fault for coming over and getting bitten but I just don't want to worry about some poor innocent kid getting mauled, regardless of my dog being on a chain or not.

What would you do? The dog can not be trained at this point, he hates kids.......plain and simple. Would you have it put to sleep? I have two 12 year old boys that love this dog....but they also understand he can't bite people. Would a vet pull a dog's teeth to prevent him from biting????? I've thought about this option, just keeping the jaw teeth for chewing....ideas????

Dean

 

[gpadilla1071]

The dog is chained up outside as he destroys things inside the house when he is in there, chews up everything! So he will never be an inside dog.

Dean

Dean,

The problem is on your comment above... Here is my question, how often you train and walk your dog? Jack Russelss are very intelligent dogs and require a lot of mental stimulation. Any dog can be train if you are willing to spend the time. A lot of people have the misconception that you need to spend countless hours in training in order for a dog to respond. It usually takes 5 to 10 mins a day to get your dog trained. First you need to teach your dog of NLIF (Nothing in life is free). Everytime you want your dog to do something reward him for good behaivor (e.g. small treats).

Now here comes the important part, you need to take your dog for a good walk and I mean a power walk. Jack Russells are from the Terrier breed and require a lots of exercising. Running is even better, once your walk is done then start the training portion of it. Dogs tends to behave better when they relaese the excess energy. Your dog is just frustrated from being tied up. I can almost guaranteed you that the reason he's behaving like that is because he's probably have been teased before by the kids when tied up and he is just trying to defend himself. He's associating kids with being teased and everytime he sees a kids he just plain go bunkers. Does are just a few pointers. Somebody in here may have a different opinion, but if you get a chance and watch Cesar Millan and his technics they are very similar to mine. His technics are not new, but they work... I hope this helps.

German

 

[gpadilla1071]

One more thing, get a behavoirist to see him. That should help you as well.

 

[unix_punk]

Lol, great condition, as if he was a GN. Couldn't resist that...

 

[excobraguy]

Lol, great condition, as if he was a GN. Couldn't resist that...

Old habits, you should hear how I describe my kids

 

[GSX-PKV]

Why not put a muzzle on the dog when he's outside and when you are not at home, put him in a crate so he can't do any damage. When you are home, he could have free range in the house because you could keep an eye on him. My daughter has one of those invisible fences and she has a remote she can set off to train the dog. Maybe something like that could work... when he misbehaves say "NO!" and zap him at the same time.

We once had a dog that was destructive and we gave that dog to my wife's uncle who had a farm but to this day, I still wish we had not done that.

 

[jetmech]

I have a 4 yr old jack russel from a breeder that hunts w/ these dogs but got her at 6 weeks of. Loves everyone. You could look into giving your dog to someone that uses them for hunting. Most of these breeders keep them outside. Or maybe you could slowly introduce your dog to kids and have them play fetch or frisbee w/ the dog. Good luck

 

[Pronto]

Watch the Dog Whisperer. He gets some pretty messed up dogs to behave well.

 

[tommynos]

I wouldnt put him down,give him to a place that specializes in finding the right home,no kids, for him..We have humane societies around here and they adopt the dogs to a good home,just hope they dont do a car fax on him ...

 

[19TTA89]

the problem is the dog has bitten 2 kids that have came over to my house.

Dean

Just on that alone...He would be gone,One way or another.they say once a dog actually bites...Thats it,Can not be trusted again.He has bitten twice already,I think you know he needs to go.

I'm sure you don't need a huge lawsuit on your hands,I'm surprised after biting twice that you don't already...And the cops haven't taken the dog and put him down for you yet.I guess they weren't bad bites.But if he happens to get a good hold of a kid.He will be gone...And YOU will foot the blame for it.

If I were you,I would get some Beware of Dog signs up on the property asap(If you dont already have them).They might help cover you somewhat if he happens to bite again.

If I were you,i would do like others have said...Find him a good home with a hunter or someone with a lot of property to run around on and the patience to train him.

 

[Pablo]

I think a lot of people are afraid to be tough on their dogs.

I've noticed that when dogs are destructive and disobedient there are usually the same factors,

the owner usually is way too "understanding" and patient with the dog
the owner doesn't socialize the dog with humans or other animals.
the dog doesn't get exercise and attention

I'm hardly an expert but I know that with my dog (a rott/black lab mix) the methods of positive reinforcement, and instant punishment have worked quite well.

It may not be the pc thing in this world and I'm sure people will flame me, but dogs respond to two things better than anything else. Food treats (Mine goes nuts over bits of cheese) and pain.
I'm not talking about abusing your dog, but If i ever saw my dog snap at anyone I would smack the Sh*t out of him. Same goes for him destroying things. They have to understand who is boss and that some behavior is completely unacceptable.

Since dogs forget what the hell they did even 1 minute ago, trying to have a heart to heart with them like Bob Saget had in every episode of Full house with his kids is like pissing in the wind.

They only understand *immediate* consequences to their actions. Like when mine is obedient he gets a treat, or if say he loses his mind and jumps on me he gets his paws pinched by my fingers.

So far these methods have been pretty effective. My dog has never snapped at anyone (worst has been a growl once or twice, cured with a stern use of his name by me)

I also think old dogs are quite capable of learning "new tricks". I haven't lived at home in several years, and I rarely visit. So the dog is essentially my mom's now. But every time I go back I manage to get him into a new habit by just doing it every day when I am on vacation. You'd be amazed at what they can learn. You'd also be amazed at what a little attention and exercise will do.

 

[turbo39151]

Watch Ceasar. This dog needs an outlet- exercise. If you cannot supply it, give the dog to a no kill shelter where he will have the opportunity to be adopted by someone who can take care of him properly.

I have 3 large aggressive dogs that rarely ever behaved. I followed Ceasars method, basically walking them till they dropped (that included me too). While I walked them I was complimented by many passers-by for being able to handle the beasts. It was not rocket science, just taking the time to power walk the dogs made a huge difference. When they're tired, they are much more responsive to instruction.

I can't say I'm a saint. I smacked a few of them when they tried to destroy stuff in the house but it was a minor smack-not intended to hurt but merely startle along with a loud stern voice. Each incident only happened one time and the dog got the hint. Of Course, I also go the hint and gave the dogs more things to chew on that were theirs and gave them more of my time as well.

A Jack Russell is a high energy dog and needs a high energy owner. You might consider another like-sized; like-minded dog as a companion. Dogs are pack animals, they need companionship. Another dog would keep him occupied, well-centered and probably require a little less of your time.

Good Luck with the pooch.

 

[Brer Rabbit]

+1

Watch the Dog Whisperer. He gets some pretty messed up dogs to behave well.

He's the man. I use a few of his techniques with my super high strung mini pin and walking him has been much easier. U have to tire their @sses out especially the lil dogs, or they will run or ruin ur life.

 

[Pronto]

99.99% of the problems with dogs is the owners. His show is a great example of that. I understand alot more about why my dog does what she does and where we should have done differently now.

 

[INEEDAGN]

I was in the same boat as you but played it safe and had him put down. We had 2 year old weimaraner that was a decent dog until we brought our newborn home. He became VERY defensive of our property, especially toward adult males. He was in a buried wire fence that worked great until one day it was down and he bit a neighbor walking by. It was an ankle bite and not a full on attack, but it scared the crap out of him and me. What if he'd had his grandkids with him? Couldn't live with the thought so we put him down. No local shelters were interested in him either, after we told them that he bit someone. Also he went to the hospital for a tetanus shot and to get it cleaned out so we get to pay for that too. I feel lucky that it will ONLY cost us a couple hundred dollars by the time it's over. Unless you take him to the dog whisperer or something similar, you are on your knees begging for a lawsuit. Do't wait 'till it's too late.

 

[Mac in SD]

Check out the Dog Whisperer, yes. But sometimes even Cesar has to bring a dog to his rehab center.

Try to find a dog behavioralist in your area, and see if he can be rehabbed.

 

[dgoodhue]

Try to find a dog behavioralist in your area, and see if he can be rehabbed.

I agree. One of my Dogs (Boston Terrier) has social anxiety. She used to tear apart my couch and chair when my wife and I were gone; she had bitten one kid. I tried being tough with her and it didn't work. We talked to the vet and implemented some their suggestions and she has gotten much better. No more damage to the house and she is fine when other people/children visit.

She still doesn't like strangers (or other dogs) approaching and touching her so I keep her away from those situations and/or tell them not to touch her. (Some people just don't listen though ) The one situation at the park that she bit the kid was when they were 5 or 6 girls swarmed all around her touch her.

She hasn't bitten anyone else, but those who don't listen and try to pet her with out her warming up to them, she will give them growl. Once she warms up to a stranger and determine they are safe, she is perfectly fine, but this can take a while. I tell people to ignore her, and by the end of the night she will be on your lap.

 

[BadAssGN]

I always thought the Jack Russell was aggresive by nature. were they not used for hunting rats and other rodents?

a friend had one that turned on another jack russell, very viscious attack, ripped the other dogs eye out...

I love how smart those dogs are but with 3 kids at home I'm sticking with my dumbass chocolate Lab :redface:

Good luck with this Dean

 

[stack1]

You shouldn't own this dog. Try to find a JR rescue group and give this guy a chance with another home. JRs are definately high maintainace dogs and are not for everyone. Some people don't want to invest the time into triaing their dog, and that's fine. But I feel that no dog should be confined outside or killed because the owner won't take a dominate role and train their dog properly. People should research breeds before they run out and get a dog. They're not all created alike and some need way more attention and training than others. JRs are one of those breeds.

 

[rmar]

As much as we love our dogs, If she was to bit 1 kid unprovoked....:frown:
She would be gone. The truth is hard but you know the answer.