jack russells behavior

Question
hi. On august 11,2009, I got a 3 year old jack russell (female). The person that i had got her from said she only had her for a week or two. She previously got it from a friend of hers that was moving & couldn't take her. Her name is Molly, I think she may have either been previously abused or was never truely  loved or taken care of. I already have a 5 year old male jack russell & he has been in our care since he was 6 weeks old & has had all the love & caring that he needs & wants. She gets skittish when a loud noise has been made or a fast movement or even when i try to get her to come sit by me. When we 1st brought her home she drank alot & peed all over my floors. (thank god for hardwood floors). she gets along fine with the male jack, but my daughter has a small yappy dog & molly acts like she wants to attack her,ecspecially when she barks. the previous owner of molly said that one of her siblings had fought with her before she got molly. molly has the marks on her nose to prove some kind of fight. she is loving to my wife & I. molly seems to be a great & lovable dog when she actually lets you love & pet her. Is there anything that we can do to let her know that we are here to love & care for her? molly doesn't seem to like our other dog or our old male cat. please help us. molly is worth loving & caring for, now she needs to learn that she is worth it too. we all really love & care for her. We want her to get along with all other pets that are either here or come around here.Please help us out with some suggestions that can be done that we haven't already tried.  THANK YOU.  

Answer
Hello Harlin ~
Well, she's a lucky dog to have been placed in your care, I can tell by your question how much you truly care and want this to work out. Molly sounds like she's nervous and isn't sure what is gong to happen next. Her home with the original owner must have been unstable - no dog should have scars on her nose from any fight with a sibling - that made me sad, and mad. She is probably very unsure about the little dog and views her as a threat. It probably stems from something in her past. It's obvious that you have the love, and commitment to care for Molly, but unfortunately it is going to take some TIME for things to turn around. You basically have to undo three bad years. Continue to love and care for her as you have - gentle touches - no yelling or screaming - obviously no corporal punishment - but you definitely have to be the leader with a firm and consistent training method. She has to relearn to trust you and that is going to take TIME. You can't let her bully the little dog and need to send a strong message to Molly that that is unacceptable in your house. Give the dogs a lot of time outside in the yard or another neutral area to get used to eachother and learn tolerance. The SECOND Molly starts to show ANY aggression to the little one you need to immediately correct her with a firm touch (squeeze) to her neck and a distinct sound that goes with it (pssst!) Imagine a mother dog correcting her new puppy to stop fighting with her siblings - the mother dog uses a soft but firm "bite" to the puppys neck to redirect it's energy away from the fighting. It's important to do this quickly to break that negative concentration that Molly has on the little dog.  Use the same technique and sound for EVERY correction and try very hard to do it immediately at the sign of aggression - even is Molly is just staring at the little dog...The goal is to NOT let it get any further than a "thought" she is having about the little dog. Stay very consistent with your correction so she learns quickly what you expect of her.  You can try it with the cat too. Try to increase and make the time PLEASANT that the two dogs spend together. Sit each one on either side of you while you are sitting on the floor and simultaneously pet them.  Lastly but very importantly the entire family has to help and do the same exact correction and loving. Dogs, especially jacks can absolutely feel and tell if you're not serious or if you are even a tiny bit nervous. Don't be nervous, be in charge. If she can feel you are nervous she will take total advantage of it. You can be a kind but firm disciplinarian. She will learn to love and RESPECT you. You have some work ahead of you, and it's going to take some real time, but dogs crave and thrive on routine and a strong leader.
You can do it!
Best of luck to you all
Carol