Once a dog bites.....

HI all! How are you doing, im new around here and just basically looking for some help with my Jack Russell Terrier, Snickers. We have two dogs, Snickers is 2 years old, and Mojo, my Bloodhound, is a little over a year. Snickers has over the last year or so, gotten increasingly possessive. We had, up until about a month ago, been paying for a private trainer to come in and help. He was getting slightly better, but that I think had more to do with me changing my own methods than anything to do with him. We stopped paying for the lessons, because he wasnt getting anywhere. The problem we have is with the doorbell, and outside my little sisters bedroom door. If the doorbell rings he goes insane! and he will bite whoever tries to pick him up and move him away from the door if this goes on. and if you try to wake my sister up for school, or if you knock on her door, he becomes severly agressive. WE are at the point of rehoming him, because we are military in Germany, and we leave for the states at the end of this summer. If he stays here, they wont euthinize him..but if he snaps at the wrong person stateside, we know he will. Even if he continues to get better, do you believe that a dog who bit before will bite again? can we trust him?

VERY GOOD QUESTION??? Sorry, I don't have the Answer. I hope someone will answer you because I too, would be interested in their response. I have a mixed breed little guy (Bob), which some people seem to think is part JRT (see attached photo). He's a pup, but he is becoming very possesive and territorial too. He's been aggressively nipping when he gets all riled up. And like you, he won't let others pick him up when he's on a rant. He's also taken to guarding the water bowl (growls ferociously when Ginger (our other dog) approaches it to get a drink). Same thing with the toy basket. And when he's in his crate, he gets really mad and growls if someone is petting Ginger and he can't get over to take some of that attention and affection for himself. I am concerned that as he matures, he is going to get even more aggressive and his bites will hurt more with his adult teeth.

Just a thought, I haven't had Bob neutered yet and some folks suggest that he will have a change in demeanor after this (Ouchhh... who wouldn't). Is your JRT fixed??? :D

Naw, that's just an old folk tale. If you bite somebody do you think you will be any more likely to do it again? Just continue socializing and definately try the NILIF method (nothing in life is free) which means he has to sit and stay before he gets fed, plays, goes outside, or anything else fun. He needs to know that people are dominant, but also he needs to be secure. Put him on a leash while you work with him with the door. You don't want to pick him up as a method of control, he doesn't learn anything from being picked up, that's the easy method for us people though as he can't jump up when you hold him. He obviously doesn't like being picked up either, some dogs fear being picked up and bite out of a panic reaction.

Belle would get really aggressive around time for her heat cycle before we had her spayed, and she's not as bad now, so for me, the spay/neuter theory seems to be working. Another thing with her that we noticed (actually the woman running the boarding kennel pointed it out to us the only time we boarded them) was that when she feels very nervous, she is prone to lash out...in the case of the boarding kennel it was at Maggie, our other dog and she had to separate them into two separate pens. The woman told us that as soon as Belle realized we were leaving her there at this new, strange place, she immediately turned on Maggie. It wasn't so much an aggressive behavior, but an overly defensive behavior (she didn't have anything to 'guard' this time and nothing to be jealous of)...at least that was her opinion, and having seen it some more, I agree. When she is nervous or anticipating something/excited, she wants her space.

Does your JRT associate new people at the door with something bad (i.e. have people stepped on him by accident or something), or does the picking up maybe freak him out? Belle loves to be picked up (at 45 pounds, she can get heavy, lol, but her favorite is to jump up and be caught and held), but Maggie hates it.

Try to get him to associate good things with the situations he fears, and maybe the fear will go away and so will the defensive/aggressive (whatever!) behavior.

First, thank you all for your wonderful caring responses! He is fixed. I didnt mention it,but the behavior didnt start until after we fixed him (im thinking male emasculation issues..hmmm... ;) :D ) anyway, we are trying the NILIF program, but i think im just going to have to completely keep him out of the upstairs. 90% of the time,hes the sweetest little thing..im almost thinking that maybe a new place would be a good thing for him..so maybe we could train him not to be so possessive without so much having to break the behavior..i dont know if that makes any sense..but ive never had a problem dog before.

I would do NILIF at all times, buy good books from good trainers (link= http://4pawsu.com/bookstore.htm ), and keep him on-leash with a rolled or flat leather collar that fits snugly (allows room for 2 fingers). You HAVE TO be alpha and all members of the family must get involved. Having him on-leash when guests are expected will give you control and not risk getting bitten. If he starts acting up, just sharply pop the leash and tell him "quiet" or "leave it" or "wrong", or take him aside and have him watch you until he settles down. Obedience is really key, he needs to know these commands, he needs to know to "watch" and "off". Most importantly, leashing him to you will keep you in control of his biting and it'll give him more time to learn that you are in control. You also cannot give him an inch with any of this, as long as you're very consistent it should help. Maybe try another behaviorist - just one visit should give you LOTS of great tips.

You know the situation in your home regarding the dog better than anybody here,trust your instincts to guide you. Will the dog bite again?
Do you know your dogs personality well enough to make a solid decision?
I personallly can't say.

I saw a segment dealing with that on National Geographic on "The Dog Whisperer" program. I can remember excactly how he solved it but it was almost the same identical problem. You may be able to look on the internet and find reference to that particular segment. In the meantime, I'll check around and see what I can find out.
Donna :)