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Jealous/Possessive Jack Russell

20 9:21:45

Question
Hello Carol, a month ago we "inherited" a neutered male Jack Russell called Toby who is approx. 7 years old from our son who due to extensive work travel can no longer keep him. We have three other dogs, a large mongrel bitch of nearly 10 yrs, a Chihuahhua bitch of 5 yrs and a male Chihuahua x who is nearly 15 years old. Toby has now asserted himself as the alpha male with these dogs and happily accepts them as long as they are not anywhere near me. He "fixates" on the elderly male dog and attacked him in my bedroom. Luckily I managed to get him off and kept them seperated for nearly an hour but as soon as I put Toby outside with the old dog he attacked him again. Now I have to keep the other dogs away from him when they are in the house or garden because for fear of another attack. The old dog cannot fight back due to age, the big dog could seriously harm or worse kill Toby if she retaliates and which Toby doesn't seem to realise, and as for the little female Chihuahua she's just no match.We took them for walks in the park and Toby was so focused on what was going on he seemed fine but as soon as we got home the agggression began again. I feel so bad that my dogs are just not getting the attention that they've always had, or freedom to move around the house as always which must be stressful for them. Apart from this Toby is such a lovely animal, so gentle, loving, obedient and respectfully submissive with me. It seems to be pure jealousy on Toby's part, he's claimed me as his own, is very possessive and follows me like a shadow. My question is: what is the correct way to handle this aggression when it occurs with the other dogs? As soon as I see him getting that "stare" I shout "No!" at him then I walk away to diffuse the situation. It seems to be working but I know that I have to hold my ground and deal with it because it cannot carry on like this, constantly seperating the dogs before I go into the garden or can move around my house.  That day he attacked the old dog, I was yanking at his collar, threw cold water on him but it had no effect until I literally picked him up bodily and smacked him a few times until he submit to me, then kept them seperated for hours on end. I know that smacking him is not the right way to deal with it but I was frantic to get him off the old dog. This is the first time that I've owned a Jack Russell, and have grown so fond of him apart from this problem! We took him because my son couldn't find a suitable home for him and the alternative would have been euthanasia. We don't want to go that route because he's a great little dog, just a typical Jack Russell from the research that I've been reading. Help! Thank you.

Answer
Ellie,
I apologize for the delay in answering; I haven't been home for a week and didn't update my availability to ON VACATION.
Anyway, you are very kind to care about this dog -  but quite honestly, there is no way I would upset my other dogs and bring him in causing all this chaos.  A couple of your dogs are older and this new addition can be quite upsetting.  It's different if it was a new puppy because dogs instinctively know the puppy is just playing; but a 7 year old dog coming in to an already established household, and trying to be the "alpha" dog is just asking for trouble.  He sounds like a great little dog otherwise but I suggest he go to a home that has no other dogs.  He could have a very happy life there.  It's VERY difficult to RE-TRAIN a dog that is 7 years old.  They also have a tendency to try to control YOU.  
Again, I say you are very kind in trying to take care of him, but at the expense of your other dogs. Sorry, wish there was another way, but I don't see it happening at his age.  You could try a personal dog trainer #NOT in a store# but a private one to come to your house to work with him, but training always works best for puppies.  Wish I had better advise, but this is how I feel. Someone else might not agree.  
Best of luck with whatever you do!!