Jack Russell - Went to jail for Xmas

Question
I have a 15 & 11 month JR both males. They have always been good with children until my surprise this weekend. We were at a pizza place eating outside when I child walked by and the oldest went crazy and charged at the kid even though he was tied up he had enough slack to reach him. He bit the child twice. The police and paramedic showed up wrote a report and took the dogs to the station for animal control to decide what to do. I did notice something very odd. Another child was getting out of a car while the officer was talking to me and Jack went nuts again. Here I am explaining to the officer that this is an isolated incident when hes barking and growling like is the end of the world.

I don't know if a child in the neighborhood taunted him and he now thinks all the kids are the same ones.

Answer
Jimmy -

Had to chuckle at your subject name though the topic is not funny at all.  As I am sure you know this places your dogs at very serious risk of getting into major trouble.

Are you saying they are 15 months and 11 months, or 15 yrs and 11 months ?  I would like to know things like - Are they neutered ? Are they taken out and about in public often so they are normally well socialized ?  Have they been to obedience classes ?  

Many, many jacks have issues with children as a result of their intense prey instinct. Children are relatively small, move faster than adults, and have higher pitched squealy voices.

The only advice I can give you is to find a responsible breeder in the area who may be able to recommend a terrier savvy trainer.  If you are going to overcome this issue, the work must start right now, and you must make a major commitment to the process.

In the meantime, you need to keep your dogs safe from themselves by keeping them away from children.  There are lots and lots of dogs in this world who have "issues" that their owners protect them from. My jack russell, Connor, just cannot live with other male dogs or he fights with them (no matter how big they are), so I foster only females.

I also recommend tightening up on your basic obedience expectations from them overall.  You need to reassert your position without being aggressive with them. I encourage you to read this article on a technique called "Nothing in Life is Free."  

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

Additionally, here is some info about a behaviorist who specializes in dogs and children and whom I respect a great deal:

http://www.familypaws.com/

Best wishes and let me know how you make out.

Beth