Jack Russell 9 yrs old

Question
I have a jack russell who I deeply adore, he has bitten me, (my husband very badly)and 2 of my kids. He barks all the time and when we have company he gets upset with loud noised. My husband says we may have to get rid of him. I do not intend to have him put to sleep, but the older he gets the worse his temperment is getting. I am scared that he is going to hurt my grandkids (5 of them) or someone else very badly. He bit my husband last weekend with his muzzle on and took off the tip of his thumb nail. I need help to see if there is anything I/we can do to keep from getting rid of him. We are at work all day and he is at home by himself. please help????

Answer
Hi Nancy,

The first thing I would suggest is to take him for a good physical exam to rule out any problems. When a dog is in pain, he can't communicate that to us, but lashes out instead. If it is unusual for him to be so aggressive, perhaps he just isn't feeling well.
If this is a behavioral problem, you're going to have to get an experienced dog trainer involved because it has now escalated to the point of biting which is dangerous to everyone.
Being at home all day alone is not the best environment especially for a Jack Russell. When you come home from work weary and tired, he is just the opposite... He is anxious and has HOURS of pent up energy that absolutely needs to be released. This could actually be why he is being so aggressive. Is there any way you could go home at lunchtime and give him a good brisk half hour walk or an energetic half hour of running in the yard? Maybe you could "hire" someone in your neighborhood to get him out? At the very least, you have to make sure to get him some sweat inducing exercise when you get home. That energy has to be expended and if it's not, you will continue to see the aggression. His brain and body NEED it. I think you will see a dramatic change in his behavior once you get him on a good exercise program. You can even put him on your treadmill if you're unable to actually take him out. They love it!  
Good luck!!!!