Dog Biting

Question
QUESTION: I have a 3 year old Jack Russell/Rat Terrier Mix.  We have had her since she was a puppy.  She has recently, in the last year and a half began biting family members.  The biting seems to be getting more often.  There doesn't seem to be one thing triggering her.  I need some suggestions on what to do about this.  I don't want to get rid of her, she is like one of my kids, but we can't live in our own house and be scared that she will flip out and bite us at any minute.  She is so loving and cuddle, but then she will just flip and bite.  Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Lisa

It sure sounds like she became a brat when she was a teenager (about 18 months - 2 yrs).  As a trainer friend of mine puts it

"Dogs do what works"

She has learned that she can get people to act the way she wants any time she nips or bites (I would need to know if she is breaking skin and if she's giving any warning).


In order to get back on track, you need to start all over with her as if she was a puppy and make sure that you maintain the upper hand.  I tend to use a philosophy called "Nothing In Life Is Free" and there is an excellent description and step by step instructions at

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

I would also strongly recommend obedience class.  These classes are less for the dog, and more for you to learn hands-on how a dog thinks and how to manage their behavior with that understanding.

Until you can get a chance to implement these things, I would recommend crating her for 1/2 hour every time she even thinks about nipping/biting.  I tend to give them a "Who do you think you are" once and then banish them to the crate for the 1/2 hour.  It doesn't take long for them to get a clue.

One thing to remember is that very very few trainers have ever worked with terriers, and the extreme in "positive" training gets results from terriers, but only as long as they "feel like it."  They are much stronger willed and persistent that other breeds when it comes to getting their way.

If you watch TV about these things, please stick with things like Good Dog U on Animal Planet and stay away from The Dog Whisperer.  Mr. Milan utilizes what I consider to be inappropriate tactics behind the scenes.

Good luck - Let me know how you make out

-Beth Adams
Col Potter Cairn rescue Network


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

QUESTION: I am not sure what is setting the dog off. Sometimes she will give a warning, growling before she bites.  She is breaking the skin.  I had to have my face glued back together when this first started.  My husband and stepson have had their hands bitten and puncture wounds.  She just bit my husband again two nights ago.  We do make her get on her dog bed after this happens.  She gets a "doggie" time out.  You can tell that she feels badly afterwards, but it is like she is a totally different dog while biting. It is very scary because it is like we are her prey when it happens.  After she bites and does a time out, then she is irritable, and we don't go near her for a while.  It seems as though she is biting now that I think about it, more in the evening or close to bed time.  I am just at my wits end.  Everyone we know has told us to put the dog down or shoot her.  Dogs that bite are not good dogs.  I don't think I can part with this dog easily, but if this continues I dont' know what else to do.  I am not sure if an obedience class is available, in our area.  Do you think that just making her go to her area isn't affectinve and she needs a cage or pen to get our point across?

Answer
While it will not solve your problem, a crate will make everyone safer in the short term.  I routinely put my foster dogs to bed in their crates about 1 1/2 hrs before I go to bed.  It gives me some quiet time... and in your case if she's being that way late, it could avoid the situation altogether.  I would strongly advocate a crate instead of just "her place" in the house.

If you can't find someone around you (ask the vet and the shelter for trainers), then please consider breed rescue. They may have someone skilled with exactly the problem you are having.

Either way, this is a terrible situation and needs to end NOW - the lives and health of your family simply must come before the happiness of the dog.  I'm not saying you have to necessarily put her down, just that you need to keep in mind that when push comes to shove, the people have to come first.

I am sooooo sorry.

-Beth