Jack Russell HELP!!!

[Marcia]

I am in need of help with my grandpup. My daughter adopted a Jack Russell last Oct. from our local shelter. She has been raised with pound puppies all of her life. So it was only natural to have one in her first home on her own.
Gus is a very active guy with alot of challanges. First of all he chases shadows on the wall, chases and shreds leaves that blow in the wind and only pays attention to you when there is nothing else to do. He seems to have A.D.D.
Please don't miss understand me I love this guy. He in turn loves me (grandma). Heres the problem, our daughter has some physical disablities. I fear that her little Gus has keyed in on. He has taken to lashing out at her. If he does not want to do what she wants he will snap at her and hide under the table showing teeth. Every since she brought him home he has wanted to sleep under the covers on her bed. She has let him do this. Lately he has become untrustworthy or afraid. She has told me that if she bumps him in her sleep that he will become aggresive twards her. I have asked her to let him sleep in the kitchen where his favorite chair is. (he still has access to her room, he is not locked away) This has helped until last night. Gus decided that he did not want to go to bed. He went under the table and got very aggresive and bit my daughters arm.
Ok enough is enough!!! This is my daughter that we have here she will always come first. She only has use of one arm. I am torn. I have to protect her. But again I love this guy and do not believe in throw away dogs. Is there someone that can help him? Please I do not want to give him back to the shelter! I can not take him in myself. I have 2 dogs of my own, one with diabetes and one with epelipsy. A active guy like Gus would not do will with the stress on my older boys.
PLEASE HELP! I cant let my daughter get hurt. She has had too much to fight for all her life to even be able to live on her own. This was supose to be her friend and companion. Not someone for her to fear.

[crestie_rsq]

Jack Russells are a very high maintenance breed. This dog needs to be exercised for at least 60-90 min per day (breaking up into two sessions would be ideal). JRs are very intelligent dogs and when bored can lead to very destructive behavior. It is also evident that this dog does not see your daughter as a pack leader. While you don't mention what your daughter's disabilities are, if you or she is not able to get this dog into some obedience training and provide the daily exercise he needs, you might want to to consider rehoming him and finding a bit more laid back breed for your daughter...one a little less high maintenance. JRs are a lot like many of the working dog breeds....they need a job & daily challenges to exercise not only their bodies but their minds.

[Marcia]

yes you are right my daughter is not in charge. She is afraid that she may hurt him or push too far and get hurt. She really has never been affraid of anything in her life. Her favorite dog was a Airadale while she was growing up. I geuss Gus reminded her of him and truly wanted that same connection that her and Max had in a smaller package. She tries very hard.
I am not sure how to go about rehoming Gus. As I said he has some pretty strong issues. I can not just give him to someone that does not know about his breed. I in no way want him to be passed around with no stable home. It is very hard for us to think that might happen. I think it has already happened too much in his short life. I have a connection with him but that does not help with our situation.
How can I help to find him? This is really hard!

[catcher T]

get a professional trainer,,Jacks are really very busy dogs,,it shouldn't matter where he has come from,,u would still train him the same way,,he does things because he can and everyone lets him.

[crestie_rsq]

Marcia, can you get your daughter & the dog enrolled in obedience classes? THat would go A LONG way in helping the situation, but exercise/stimulation is a key factor as well. JRTs just have so much energy that they need to release daily to keep them on an even keel.

As for rehoming, the easiest way to go about rehoming is with breed specific rescue groups. Most will take in the dog where it will stay in a foster home until it's permanent home is found.

If you are committed to keeping the dog and doing what it takes to make it work for both your daughter and the dog, start with obedience training, but your daughter really needs to be his primary caregiver so he sees her as a his pack leader. From there, the possibilities with JRTs are endless. You could set up a small agility course for the dog, you could get involved in flyball or earth dog trials for constructive outlets for the dog's pent up energies. JRTs are great dogs,the key is keeping their mind & body occupied.

[Marcia]

I have contacted a trainer. I hope they can help. Thanks to everyone that has responded I will give updates on how it goes. We really do love this guy

[crestie_rsq]

So glad to hear it, Marcia. Please keep us updated.

[Patch O' Pits]

Originally Posted by Marcia

I have contacted a trainer. I hope they can help. Thanks to everyone that has responded I will give updates on how it goes. We really do love this guy

That's great... make sure the trainer has experience with the issues you are facing if not look for a new opne ASAP or better yet a behaviorist

As already mentioned that breed in general is high strung and needs A LOY of exercise. A tired dog is a better behaved one for sure.

I hope the training works out for you.

Worst case scenario to me would be having to rehome after all other resources fail. If it comes to that, which hopefully it will not since there are so many homelss animals and so few GOOD homes; please call a breed specific rescue who can help deal with the problems