JRT male turning very aggressive.

I have a male JRT who is about 1 yr-old who has not been neutered yet. Just recently he has started this "territorial" thing where when my husband comes up to give me a kiss, he is right there in his face ready to pounce on him. He will also do this to me when I am tucking and kissing my son in at night. He has actually bitten my husband too during one of his "territorial moments." This behavior is new and I have no idea what prompted this. It is always at night and it is like a flip switches in him. He even growls at me when I am "tucking him in at night" and so I don't usually even pet him during night-time. We are planning on getting him neutered real soon, but I am hoping that this will take care of the problem because we can't have an animal around who we can't trust!! Any help or ideas would be great! We love this little dog dearly!!

Thanks. JRT lover from Oregon

Comments for JRT male turning very aggressive.

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Feb 06, 2011
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growls
by: Anonymous

You never became the leader of the pac with them.

Dec 12, 2010
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To Vicki:
by: Anonymous

Vicki: We also have a female Jack who gets the "eyes glazing over-type thing" but she only growls. She can be coaxed out of that by just talking to her. I can definitely see that there is a "dark side" to this breed. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you. I wish you the best of luck!!

Dec 12, 2010
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What more can we do.....
by: Vikki

After reading this story it reminds me a lot of my Jack Ruseel bitch who is about 20 month. When she is lovely she is the greatest dog ever but when she gets in to one of her frenzies she is awful.
She gets extremelly possesive over toys, shoes, her cage, things falling on the floor anything and has even had my mum pinned to the sofa or trapped one of us in a room with her behaviour.
She growls, bares her teeth and lunges at the object if she thinks you want it. Her eyes also glaze over as if there is no one in there and it is impossible to get her out.
She has bit my mum twice, yet she is the one who feeds her.
We have took her to the vets for a check up and advice and there is nothing that they could see wrong with her. We have had a behaviour expert come to see her and take her to regular dog training classes and things were looking up until the last couple of weeks again it has started.
she has been told no and naughty, put in her cage for a "time out" and asked to come out if she can behave.
She can be very affectionate when she wants but this other behaviour is dominating and making us feel threatened in our own home. We have a puppy who she is great with however we worry if she may turn on her.
Can anyone offer any help or advice as we are not sure what more we can do.

Dec 12, 2010
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Dec 11, 2010
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Appt for him to be neutered in a couple days
by: Anonymous

I have schedule an appt for him to be neutered in a couple days and I am soooo very hopefuly that this makes a difference in him and the other helpful hints too! He is a very sweet dog just has these little issues that hopefully neutering will take the "vinegar" out of him!! I will let you all know how it goes! Thanks so much for your input!

Dec 11, 2010
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"IF TRIED THAT" CONTINUES FOR...
by: ScooterMama59

Hello,
Remember, you must continue this for at least 2 to 3 weeks to change this behavior. Not 2 to 3 days. If after this time you still have the same problem, then it's time for a professional. If you choose not to use a professional dog trainer and the behavior continues, then it's time to find your poochie a new owner. I would suggest an older retired woman with no children or mate.
NOT all JRT's/mixes will turn from the darkside.
It's really up to you on what you decide you can all live with.
Stef

Dec 10, 2010
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Becoming the boss again
by: Barbara

I have a Jack Russell and have never had a problem with her.
If you are on the couch and your husband starts to sit down and he starts acting up. Both of you stand up put him on the floor and turn your backs to him cross your arms and ignor him. You will have to continue this until he gets the idea it may take a while.
I would suggest putting him on a leash at night when you are putting the baby to bed one person holds the leash and the other puts the baby to bed. If he starts acting up make a noise such as att att loudly and immediately remove him from the room for a couple of minutes or longer then repeat the process until he gets the idea. I do not believe in hitting your dog. When he does well praise him and give him a treat.
It may take a while for this behavior to stop completely but if you continue with this training every day he will soon come aroung and realize that you are the boss. Good luck.

Dec 05, 2010
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I DON'T RECOMMEND HITTING THE DOG...
by: ScooterMama59

Hello,
I really don't advocate in anyway smacking or hitting the dog. So, what works on a newly aggressive territorial dog?
Okay, the reason he is doing this is because "he can". He has learned that this type of behavior gets the response he is looking for -- HIS WAY!
You do want, as a family, to reestablish the pack order here. In other words who is the boss. You and your husband will need to do the following.
Of course, first get him fixed (neutered) after he is healed, the re-training must begin.
At the first sign of aggression you must pick him up and with a very stern voice say, "NO"(biting or growling etc...) and put him in his locked kennel box for 5 minutes. Each offense increase the time by one minute. When you let him out tell him that he is to be a good boy and NO biting, growling etc...

You must be swift and deligent to change the behavior. In other words as soon as it happens correct it IMMEDIATELY!
Another way to deal with this is: put on your gloves and when he acts like this pick him up and gently turn him over on the carpet. Look directly into his eyes and tell him no. Hold him there until he makes complete eye contact with you. (Husband too).
Then put him in the locked kennel box. This is for the more stubborn JRT that won't comply to the first re-training above. He has the idea that he is BOSS, but he is NOT and you must let him know that.
The JRT is a very intelligent breed, they use what they learn very quickly. They want to please and obey you, but we must show them how and what is expected of them.

Please let me know how this re-training goes. It takes some dogs from once to 3 weeks to change this behavior, but it's worth it. After this you will have a very obedient JRT, but don't forget too, to have him out amongst kids, adults and other animals so that he will be socialized.
If he is not nice when meeting others at first, please put a muzzle until he learns how to behave correctly.
The best to you, your family and your soon to be nice JRT!
Stef, JRT Lover from TEXAS, living in Belgium!

Dec 04, 2010
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Tried that!
by: Anonymous

My hubby has already tried stuff like that and our male JRT will not back down for any reason.

Dec 04, 2010
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Boss
by: Anonymous

You need to show the do who is the dominant one Give him a smack on the head and tell him NO this will set the tone for the dominant male in the pack(your husband)don't back down

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