drawing blood

Question
QUESTION: Dear Carol -

I have had a JRT for 5 days and feel as though I need to take her back.  While my husband and I use the same techniques from Cesar Milan, Zoey will not submit to me.  She will roll on her back and submit to almost everyone else, but I think because she is with me for most of the day that she is sick of me and doesn't want to listen anymore.  When she starts to bite me, I give her a chew toy but she still tries to go for my hand, fingers, shirt, arm, leg, basically anything she can get to.  Even when we first got her she would jump from the ground up and grab hold of my pant leg with her teeth and shake.  She is 4 months old.  Currently I'm taking her to work with me in order to watch her and keep her safe while she recovers from being fixed (we adopted her from the local aspca).  They told us the family before us turned her in because they were allergic.  According to how Zoey reacts when she bites tells me that she expects to be hit after lunging.  I think the original family hit her although I have no proof.  Like others on this site, I am on the verge of crying constantly and have broken down when she has bitten me and drawn blood (twice).  I am exhausted.  I have a 1 inch long, deep cut where she bit me last night.  I don't know what to do and am not sure if we should take her back.  I walk her 3x a day for around 20 mins each.  I am literally at my wits end.  This is my first dog.  I think she may do better under a more educated owner.  Do you know of any jrt clubs that do adoptions in Central Florida?

ANSWER: Hi Erin,
So sorry you are feeling so overwhelmed! A new puppy can test even the most calm persons patience, and especially a jack russell puppy.
From what you describe, I think your assessment of the previous owners is correct. That puppy was probably overly reprimanded and physically hit, especially if she cowers when you approach her after a correction.
You sound like you are doing everything right, and spaying her was the best thing you could do.
I don't want to give you false hope, but she is still very young and could be an exceptional pet once she is properly trained. At this age, I STRONGLY suggest you both go to a dog training school and sign her up for AT LEAST puppy kindergarten, but definitely obedience training. For the past 4 months she has only known aggression and corporal punishment. Now here you come, a dedicated, loving and conscientious owner who has her best interest at hand, and what do you get?? Bloody and bitten!! Not fair at all, but also not the puppy's fault. I COMPLETELY understand how you can be feeling exhausted and about to give up. I know the five days you have had her feel like 5 months at this point, but it is very early and a complete change to her. It is going to take TIME for her to adjust. If you have the strength and commitment (I know you have the love, just by writing to me) try to hold out a little longer and get both of you immediately in an obedience class at a local school. NOT PETCO!!
I looked online for Central Florida dog training schools and came up with 13 different schools in Orlando. I'm sure there is one in your area. Call and speak to them and tell them exactly what is going on and have them refer you to a trainer specializing in aggressive behavior.
The good thing here is, she is only 4 months old and has GREAT POTENTIAL to become your very best friend. She's the Tasmanian Devil right now, but I do believe there is hope because of her age and because of the way you write. I know you want this to work.
Jack Russells are a dynamic and independent breed of dog. They are stubborn and very intelligent, but they are also very loving, devoted, and live to please their owners. Once she is feeling secure, learns respect and is taught obedience, she will be amazing.
Call and get into some classes right away. Although I'm sure you are doing the best you can with the training, SHE is past the point of home training because of her past home and experience, but she is so very young and can definitely turn things around with the right owner and trainer.
If, even after all this, she still does not respect you, continues to bite, and will not train properly, you can contact www.russellrescue.com and find out about placement options, but I really think this can work out, you have her age on YOUR side, and your commitment and devotion on her side.
I wish you the very very best of luck! Hang in there!!!
Write anytime you have a concern, worry, or want to brag about how awesome she's doing.
Take care,
Carol   



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Carol - When you say "NOT PETCO!!" above does that include PetSmart and other "chain" pet stores?

Also - we spent  a lot of time over the weekend training her and she gets into a frenzied state where all she wants to do is bark at me and lunge in biting when I'm walking near her and with her on the leash where she won't stop barking or biting.  When I talk to other dog owners they tell me I need to pinch her nose, bite her ear (?I know what the heck are these people thinking) or hit her nose but I don't want to use physical reprimand with her because of what I think she endured with the first owners.  Any suggestions?  She doesn't respond to a loud "NO!" anymore (probably because we say it so often).  I try to not let her get to that state but once she is, I don't know what to do.

Thanks so much,
Erin

Answer
Hi Erin,
What people are probably referring to is the Cesar Milan method of breaking the dogs concentration when he's in an aggressive state of mind. The technique calls for you to firmly poke (or squeeze) behind the dogs neck or a nudge to the flanks - basically what a mother dog would do to her puppy if she was getting out of control. It startles them out of the aggression mode. It doesn't hurt them if done correctly. Use firmness but not pain. Go to www.cesarmilan.com and look up Sessions with Cesar and then Issues and Behavior and then Aggression. Good website with lots of info.
If no matter what you do and she is in that state, you need to keep on walking. Don't stop, keep walking, turn around and go the other way, be in control and get away from the situation. Believe it or not she can FEEL you becoming tense even before you approach the other dogs and she acts out on this.  Try to remain calm and in control, let her know you are not afraid and take charge.
Petco and Petsmart and the other chains are OK for new little 8 week old puppies learning basic training. You and your dog will not benefit from this type of training at all. The sessions are conducted in the store with many distractions and too many dogs at once. You need to find a real dog school in your area and work with an experienced trainer. The sooner the better (now).
Keep up the good work, and thank you for the nice rating, I appreciate that.
Hang in there!