Jack Russell

Question
My Jack Russell is nuts.  He tries to attack every dog he sees, goes crazy when I am walking him when he sees a dog or knows where another dog lives.  He has pulled at the lead so much that he has worn it down and its frayed and nearly broken.

Answer

Connor Jennie -

I know it's not a fun situation at all, but it sure sounds like your guy is what we jokingly refer to as a "crack russell."

The first recommendation I make is that you get one of these leashes right away. I have never seen them in a store, but have one myself and swear by them for dogs who pull:

http://www.rogueoutdoors.com/servlet/Detail?no=17

Secondly, your dog is not nuts. He's is not well socialized to other dogs.  This level of aggression is not uncommon in jacks who have not been through extensive training and socialization.

OK - is he neutered ?  If not, have it done right away. You will not see results right away, but after a few months, his levels of hormones will calm down and it may help.

Is he obedient and well behaved in the home ?  If not, you need to work on this right away. You can't expect to control a dog outside the house if you can't control him inside the house (where there are fewer distractions).

Here is a training system that I **very** strongly advocate for a dog like yours (or any of the very strong willed terriers):

http://cairnrescue.com/docs/NILIF.pdf

Once you get him working well with you in the house, you are ready to work on the dog thing.

I would recommend that you take him on a walk where he knows there are dogs, but he is unlikely to see one.  The very second he starts to get worked up, I want you to stop dead, turn right around and stand still facing the other direction. Once he interrupts his fit,  have him sit and look at your face, and then give him several very small pieces of cheese.

Then walk away from the area, potty him and then try it again.

I suspect that within a week, he will begin to understand that he's being an idiot and that the sooner he sits and looks at you, the sooner he gets the cheese.

The point is to replace a negative behavior with a good one and then make doing the good one a big deal.

I would also recommend making some phone calls and getting your dog into an obedience class ASAP.  It is much less about training him than it is teaching you how to train him, and for socializing him.

I hope this gives you some ideas.

-Beth