6yr JRT compatible w choc lab pup?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Have a 6 year old very sweet but highly attached to me jrt who lost his hind leg 2 yrs ago when he ran out of the house and was hit be a van. I nursed him back to health and have babied him since, I am always home too so he is a constant companion. He listens better now than before his accident. Having said all that I need to say that Riley... JRT will back and  get aggressive when my kids hug me  or if we wrestle. I have had to banish my cat to the basement because neither of them get along...he is a very jealous dog, yet he loves other dogs when we are out on walks and doesn't get jealous if I pay attention to the other dogs then so ...MY question is....I FELL IN LOVE with my neighbors chocolate lab and she had puppies! they have one little male left and he's is so sweet. I would love to have him join our family but riley was jumping up and trying to grab onto his tail when I was holding him. Now this choc lab will be around 100 lbs and riley gets along well with big dogs... do you think I could take a chance and introduce this little pup as long as I didn't leave them alone and was mindful until I knew they were going to be friends? Or do you think my dog has separation anxiety and serious jealousy issues and I shouldn't risk it? Whew! I know I wrote a lot. Your advise and expertise would be so appreciated I am at such a loss I want to do the right thing by the pup and Riley. By the way there were no females left and I prefer males anyway. Thank you , Sincerely, Marianne

ANSWER: You haven't written anything that would make me think that your dog has separation anxiety, but he has been babied to the point where he seems to think he can do what he wants, when he wants.... and you need to get him in hand before he takes a nip out of one of the kids or someone else. Think of this.... if he was a four-legged dog, would you allow this behavior he has been doing?

Normally I would recommend several months of obedience classes, but with his handicap that might be a bit hard for him. You certainly can, however, start practicing "Nothing in Life is Free" with him. http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm  

I am not sure from your comments if you are wrestling with the kids or the dog, but if it is the dog, QUIT. If it is the children, tell the dog to BE QUIET and make him lie down when he starts cranking up. JRTs can get pretty excitable, and you need to work on keeping him at a lower key, or try to divert his attention to something else such as a ball or a favorite toy. It could be that he just wants to be included in the fun, but if he is escalating and thinking of nipping, you do want to put an end that immediately.

Now as to the lab puppy, some adult dogs just do not do well with puppies as they move fast and can be such pests. Since the lab will quickly outgrow the JRT, it might not be as huge as problem as you envision. I would, however, supervise them at all times and insist that the JRT behave himself and play nice.

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

QUESTION: Hi, Thank you for writing back. I wanted to clarify that i don't wrestle with riley only the kids and rarley.however, he will jump up and bark at them if they are hugging me goodbye, or even if they are leaving. I believe he has separation anxiety only because when I am outside in the front yard, he can see me and he cries and cries until i get him, or if I let him outside in the fenced in yard in the summer time, he won't stay out there unless i am out there. He will want to come inside if I am inside. I leave the sliding door open enough for him to come and go but if I close it all the way - he want's in now. What do you think? I would really like to get this little puppy but I am a little afraid he'll attack it the way he has attacked my cat and that wouldn't be good.
I have stared to make him behave and follow my commands before we play or feed him or if we go out for walks...still I'm concerned and hopeful. Please let me know what you think, I know I haven't been very good at training him, I guess I didn't think until just recently that he would actually listen because as a puppy he was a holy terrier! Now though during the day he is so easy, not hyper at all. thank you for your help.
sincerely.
Marianne

Answer
>>I guess I didn't think until just recently that he would actually listen because as a puppy he was a holy terrier!

All the more reason to train him! Little and cute only goes so far... and then one has to LIVE with the dog. The fact that you didn't might very well cost you the cute "little" puppy that you want from next door.

Dogs only do what they are allowed. He shouldn't be attacking your cat either. You need to "sit on his face" and make him toe the line. He's totally got your number because all you see is a cute, three-legged dog. He is totally manipulating you, which is further evidenced by his getting his way when he wants in or wants out. He demands; you do what he wants. Hence the reason you need to start doing NILIF with him!

Now I totally understand his wanting to be with you. Many years ago a neighbor asked me which of my dogs was my beloved Sunny. My response was, "look for the dog that is always within two feet of me." We had a very special bond. Maybe Riley has that same bond with you. He sees you; he wants to be with you. Understandable. But it should be on YOUR terms, not HIS! If he fusses and tears the house apart when you are gone and he cannot see you, then he has separation anxiety.

As to the new puppy, it is impossible to guess how it might work out. I would go and visit with Riley and the new puppy out in the neighbor's yard. Sit on the ground, but DO NOT pick up the puppy. Warn Riley to behave if he looks cross-eyed at the puppy. I would do this about three times before making the final decision to bring the puppy home. I would be more optimistic if you had been working with Riley longer than you have been.