Aggressive JRT age 3

Question
I have owned my JRT since he was 12 weeks old and know he comes from a long line of working dogs. He was neutered at 4 months on the vets recommendation because he was showing early signs of aggressive behaviour. I took him to puppy training classes but stopped going when he tried to bite other dogs. I have also had a behaviourist out to my home in the past but I cannot control his behaviour outside on walks when he will try to attack anything that moves. He also tries to bite visitors and only likes certain people and other JRT's. It has become a real chore to walk him and I have been verbally abused today because he went for a dog which was off the lead and ran up to him. I can never let him off the lead as he is too dangerous. Can you give me any advise please, my 9 year old daughter loves him dearly and he is a very good at home.

Answer
Nikki -

That's a terrible situation which, unfortunately, happens more often than any of us want to think about.  While most terriers have prey instinct and are driven to be protective and are exceptionally driven, jacks can be even more so.... and it does not bode well for them.

I have had dogs that I adopted because I knew I was going to have to literally protect themselves from their own nature - no matter how much training and time I put in them, I was lucky if I could make even a dent in their "issues."

I am lucky that I live in a very rural area and have a very well built fenced yard.  Connor (my jack) would love to take on anything that comes around our house - though he's exceptionally friendly to people, and is fine with other dogs if they don;t try to be macho with him. I always say he won't start a fight, but he always finishes them.

I honestly do not have any useful suggestions.... and I feel terrible not thinking of anything.  Unless you could locate a breeder or trainer who specializes in terriers in your immediate area, you could have a very difficult situation.

If, as a last measure, you decide to place him elsewhere, I strongly recommend breed rescue. They are far and away best suited to handling the issues specific to the breed.  I work with cairn terriers and can;t imagine someone only familiar with poodles trying to work with them.

I'm so sorry

-Beth