Jack Russell Biting

Question
We "rescued" a 3 year old Jack Russell from the Humane Society (Buddy).  We've had him since the beginning of February of this year.  He has a severe "prey" problem, wanting to attack any moving thing.  If he sees children running, on bikes, adults on bikes, cats, he goes ballistic!  He can sit on the couch snuggling with the grandchildren, but if they jump up or run to get something, he'll bite them.  He attacked our 12 year old grandson out in the yard because he was dribbling a basketball and Buddy wanted it.  Buddy was on a leash at the time and practically pulled me over to get to our grandson.  He bruised him and broke the skin.  We've had training for him (one on one), worked with him, have been very loving with him, but we just don't know what else to do.  We have to put him in his kennel whenever any of the grandchildren are here.  Then I have to walk him through the house on a leash past the grandchildren to take him outside.  Then back in the kennel.  He's a very loving dog when he's alone with just us.  I did trip over him once when he was right behind me and he bit me (my ankle), bruising me.  My husband is ready to take him back to the Humane Society because he's nervous about what he would do if he did get a hold of a child.  I'm very upset because I understand his feelings, but I've definitely fallen for this little guy.  Is there hope for him or do we just have to take him back?  Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

Answer
Hi Laureen,
I can tell how upset you are and I'm so sorry you are going through such mixed emotions. It sounds like you have done everything you were supposed to do, training, leash, giving lots of love, etc. I understand how attached you can get to your dog, especially since you put so much effort into making a nice home for him and giving him the best you could. I'm not one for giving up hope, but when there are children involved, you really just have to put them first.
You could try another intense round of one on one training with a dog trainer who specializes in aggression and give that a go, but sometimes it just doesn't work out.
If you bring him back to the Humane Society, explain that he is a wonderful dog but would best be suited with a family that had no children. None of this was your fault, you gave him the best that you could. Your feelings of love for him will change drastically if one of your little grand children get seriously hurt, and you will end up returning him anyway but have a bitten child also.  Rescue dogs can be tricky, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It has nothing to do with you personally. He just seems better suited with adults only. Take some comfort in the fact that you gave him a great 6 months. The Humane Society will screen future adoptees and place him with the appropriate people and he will be OK.
You seem like such a nice person and I wish you the very very best. You have an important decision to make. Make a list on paper of the pros and cons, and weigh the difference. My personal opinion is that I wouldn't take the chance with my kids or grandkids, but if they only come to see you once a year, it might be worth it to do some more intense training with him.  Unfortunately puppy imprinting starts very early on and the "proper" training should have started with the original owner 3 years ago. This is a toughie.
Good luck, write anytime.
Carol