I'm writing this today because I'm at my wits' end. My Jack Russell is 6 years old and he's making my life a living hell. This has been going on for about 4 years now.
When he was a puppy, he was really lovely, well-behaved and cuddly... He didn't get into as much mischief as some other Jack Russells I know. We had a very close bond; he was my little ray of sunshine (and he still is!).
Four years ago, I had some health problems that lasted for 3 years. At the start of those issues, my dog's behaviour hadn't changed, so I don't really know if it's linked or not.
It started with a growl one evening when I touched his food bowl; he didn't like it and was quite threatening. I told him off, but that was just the beginning. Bit by bit, it got worse until he started attacking me (very often). He would chase me to bite me, and I'd have to lock myself in a room to "escape" him. I know it sounds ridiculous when you say it like that, but he must have sensed my fear. I've been bitten many times; I have scars on my legs and I even had my finger sliced open, which needed stitches.
I've done everything to try and understand him; I've taken him to several vets and seen a behaviourist, but nothing helped and it's just got worse.
Despite everything, I've always been patient and I've NEVER thought about getting rid of him, even though my family and friends told me he was dangerous and that I needed to (and still need to) let him go, for my own sake but also for his. My relationship is very strained; my partner didn't want the dog anymore after he bit me right in front of him.
Our old neighbours complained about his howling; we got a note when we first moved in and then nothing. I thought it had passed, that it was just a phase at the start. In the end, the residents' association received complaints. So, I made the decision to move rather than leave my dog, because we could have stayed in that building, but only without him. To be honest, I even thought the neighbours were exaggerating because I'd never heard my Jack make noises like that.
So, we moved into a new flat, and my dog seemed more content and, above all, more relaxed. No barking, no complaints. We've been in this flat for 3 months and I finally realised this weekend that he was howling his head off whenever we weren't there. Just to be sure, I'd even closed the windows—we're on the top floor. I could hear him howling even when I was outside the building. I've felt sick about it ever since; I don't dare go out for fear of him disturbing the neighbours. I go to work with a knot in my stomach. We're happy here, the neighbours are very quiet and I'm so scared of bothering them since we're new.
(I'll post the rest in the comments)
Translated from French
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Hi there! Where did he come from? A breeder, a private seller, or a pet shop? The root of the problem might be in his past as a puppy... The number and length of your walks seem fine, but is it really enough for a Jack Russell? Especially on a lead? Mine has to have a proper sprint every walk; we tried a few days on a long line... and then one evening off-lead, she just went for it... at least 30 laps! If your dog is always on a lead or a long line, I don't think he's burning off enough steam. In my opinion, that pent-up frustration becomes explosive and unhealthy, and he takes it out on you because he doesn't know how else to release it. He’s probably lacking a good dose of exercise and stimulation.
As for the toileting issues, it could be territorial marking; he’s asserted himself over you physically and mentally, so he feels the territory belongs to him too. It’s also a matter of stress linked to a desperate need to release all that negative energy he’s been storing up for years. Either there’s some history there (his early life, weaning, etc.), or bad habits cropped up during his "teenage" phase and have just set in and got worse. The lack of exercise and stimulation makes the situation worse and traps you both in a vicious circle. When you go and lock yourself away... I completely understand, of course! I'm just saying it makes me think he’s hunting and you seem to be the prey sometimes. You’re in his territory—the flat—and if you do anything at all, he feels he can "correct" you. Are you working with a home-visit dog trainer?
That’s exactly it! When I isolate myself, I can really see that I’m his prey. With his dodgy kneecaps, he can’t usually get onto the sofa or the bed anymore (which is a relief, because I’ve found him on my bed before and when I told him to get down, he’d pee!). But when he’s attacking me, he somehow manages to jump onto the bed or the sofa to bite me.
Speaking of peeing on the bed, it reminds me that I didn’t mention he also has "accidents" when he’s not happy. If I say "no" to him, he’s just as likely to growl as he is to pee (big puddles) or even poo. And that happens very often.
I called a home-visit trainer the day before yesterday, but I haven't had a reply yet.
Hi there! Where did he come from? A breeder, a private seller, or a pet shop? The reason might lie in his past as a puppy... The number and length of walks seem fine, but is it enough for a Jack Russell? Especially on a lead? Mine needs to sprint on every walk; we spent a few days walking with a long line... and one evening off-lead, she sprinted... well, at least 30 laps! If your dog is always on a lead or a long line during walks... in my opinion, he's not letting off enough steam. That built-up frustration becomes explosive and unhealthy, and he's lashing out at you because he doesn't know how else to release it. He probably needs a lot more exercise and stimulation. As for the house-training issues, it could be down to scent marking; he’s taken the upper hand both physically and mentally, so he thinks the territory belongs to him. It’s also a matter of stress from the desperate need to release years of pent-up negative energy. It's either down to his history (his early life, weaning, etc.) or bad habits that started during his "teenage" phase and have just stuck and got worse. The lack of exercise and stimulation is making things worse, leaving you both stuck in a vicious circle. When you go off to be alone... I totally get it! I'm just saying it makes me think he's hunting, and you seem like the prey sometimes... You're in his territory—the flat—and if you do anything he doesn't like, he thinks he has the right to "correct" you. Are you working with a home-visit dog trainer?
Evening, and thanks for your reply.
I got him from a private seller when he was 4 months old. He had quite "odd" behaviour. When I went to pick him up, he was hyper, like all Jacks are. But he was in a sort of pen with his brother; they both clearly wanted to get out to run or play (judging by how excited they were), but they held back as if the gate was shut, even though it was wide open. Maybe it’s nothing, but he’s kept that behaviour. When there's an obstacle in front of him—even just a phone charger, for instance—he won't dare go past it. He starts whimpering but won't cross until I move the obstacle, or he'll wait for ages crying and then finally take a massive run-up to jump over it.
I really think being on a lead frustrates him. When I first got him, I was living at my mum's, and he could have a proper run around there. Actually, whenever we go back, he seems so much happier and more relaxed.
Now he’s growling out of habit; he thinks he’s going to get told off so he gets in there first. It’ll take a while to get him out of that. 30–40 mins each walk? That’s good. Maybe try some jogging? Running alongside a bike? Jacks are like little dynamos; without their dose of exercise they just explode and, as they say, a tired dog is a happy dog ^^
I didn't mention it, but he has issues with his kneecaps; he isn't in pain but he finds it hard to run fast. So unfortunately I can't take him out with the bike :( though I’d have loved to. On the other hand, I’ve seen there are swimming sessions (I’m not sure what the official word is ^^) for dogs near me. That could be quite good, both for his knees and for him. Whether he’d actually like it is another matter.
Hi Analine,
I think your dog started calling the shots the moment you began backing away when he tries to bite.
You really mustn't do that anymore. If you have to, wear some protective gear when you’re feeding him.
Pick up the food bowl and ask him to sit (does he know the basic commands, by the way?). If he sits, put the bowl down; if he goes for it without your permission, take the bowl back. It needs to stay out of his reach—raise your arm if you have to.
Keep going until he understands he has to wait for your "go-ahead".
I think some refresher training is needed every day to get your Jack back in line.
What commands does he know? Does he still follow any of them?
Evening, have you tried a behaviourist yet? What you’re describing sounds really tough. Do you ever leave him with someone outside the family? How does it go if you do, and is that even an option? Does he meet other dogs? Is he neutered? Four 30–40 minute walks a day is actually really good, so I don't think the problem lies there. At least you can talk about it here; let's wait for advice from people who’ve been in a similar situation. Unlike many, you haven't given up on him, so well done for that at least. ++
Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I do have someone look after him when I can't take him with me. The person who minds him tells me he’s quite calm and doesn't bark much. She has a big dog and my Jack gets on brilliantly with him. When she has him, she takes him to the river to let off some steam, for example. She goes with friends who also have dogs and apparently, mine has a whale of a time with them.
The trouble is, she doesn't live nearby, so the river is a bit far from my place.
I hadn't really thought about it, but since you ask, maybe when he’s with me he isn’t socialising or burning off enough energy (I’m certain of that, actually).
I haven't given up on him, but I feel so guilty for even starting to think about it, especially as I love him and the idea is normally unthinkable to me. When I think about it, I tell myself I could never actually go through with it. Planning a day to give up your pet, counting down the days until it happens... No, it’s impossible, it would feel like a death to me. Plus, I know if I did go through with it, I'd actually miss his howling and the mischief that drives me so mad. Well, in the sense that it would be over because he wouldn't be there anymore. I feel so guilty for even letting the thought cross my mind, but on the other hand, I’m at my wits' end.
I wasn't working today. We went for a little walk and he didn't get into any trouble in the flat. I did have to pop out to the shops though, I was gone for maybe 20 minutes (as I said before, I’m terrified of leaving the house now in case he howls, but I had no choice) and when I got back, I heard him howling yet again. The neighbours haven't said anything yet, but I'm positive they can hear him...
Hi there.
Where did you get him from? A breeder, a private seller, or a pet shop?
The reason might lie in his past as a puppy...
The number and length of the walks seem okay, but is it enough for a Jack Russell? Especially on a lead?
Mine has to have a proper sprint on every walk. We spent a few days walking her on a long line... and then one evening, off the lead, she just bolted... she must have done at least 30 laps!
If your dog is always on a lead or a long line for every walk, I don't think he's letting off enough steam. That pent-up frustration becomes explosive and unhealthy, and he takes it out on you because he doesn't know how else to release it. He’s likely lacking a proper outlet for all that energy.
As for the toileting issues, it could be down to scent-marking. He’s got the upper hand both physically and mentally, so he feels the territory belongs to him. It’s also a matter of stress caused by a desperate need to burn off all that negative energy built up over the years.
Either there's a history there (his early life, weaning, etc.) or some bad habits developed during his "teenage" phase that have since stuck and got worse. The lack of exercise and mental stimulation is making the situation worse and putting you both in a vicious circle.
When you go and lock yourself away... I completely understand, of course! I’m just saying it makes me think he’s in hunting mode, and you’re the prey sometimes... You're in his territory – the flat – and if you do anything at all, he feels entitled to "correct" you.
Are you working with a dog trainer who comes to the house?
He’s growling out of habit now; he expects to get a telling-off, so he’s getting in there first. It’ll take a bit of time to break him of that habit. 30–40 minutes every walk? That’s good. Maybe try jogging with him? Or running alongside a bike? Jacks are like little powerhouses on four legs; without their dose of exercise, they just erupt. As they say, a tired dog is a happy dog! ^^
I didn’t mention it before, but he has some issues with his kneecaps. He’s not in any pain, but he struggles to run fast. So unfortunately, I can’t take him out with the bike :( although I would’ve loved to.
Mind you, I’ve seen that there are swimming sessions (I’m not sure what you call it exactly ^^) for dogs near me. That could be really good, both for his knees and for him. It’s just a case of whether he’d actually enjoy it!
Good evening, have you tried a behaviourist yet? It sounds really tough, what you're describing. Do you ever leave him with someone outside the family? If so, and if it’s possible, how does it go? Does he meet other dogs? Is he neutered? I think 30-40 minutes four times a day is actually really good, so I don't think that's where the problem lies. It's good that you can talk about it here; let's wait for advice from people who have been in a similar situation. Unlike many others, you haven't given up on him, so well done for that at least. All the best.
He’s growling out of habit now; he thinks he’s about to get a telling-off, so he’s pre-empting it. It’s going to take a bit of time to break him of that habit.
30 to 40 minutes every time you take him out? That’s good. Maybe try taking him jogging? Or running alongside your bike? Jacks are basically little powerhouses on legs—without their dose of exercise, they’ll just boil over. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a happy dog! ^^
