Agressive behavior to Alpha two

My wife and I have had a Jack Russell Terrier for the last 5 years. About a week or two ago he started to growl at my wife when she goes to pick him up or cuddle with him. He seems to only want to be with me?!! Up to now they have always been fine. He has even shown his teeth when growling. He shows none of this attitude with me at all. My wife is very bony and thin skinned and is starting to be afraid of him. Our dog remains obedient to my wife in terms of following commands from her like come, sit, and lay down. But, when it comes to being affectionate he has taken a 180 turn. Any ideas?????

Has anything changed in the house in the last week? Has he been to the vet to rule out something medical happening that causes him pain and makes him snappy?

Karen: Thanks for your reply. No hasn't been to vet for this behavior, however I did have to take him because ocassionally he has been having episodes when he just at thing around him and over his head (and there is nothing there)!!! This was about 2 weeks ago. Vet checked his eyes and saw nothing wrong. Suggested possible nerrological prolems if it continues.

How is he if she has him on the leash?

He is fine on the leash and many other times, just when she goes to love on him is when he starts the growling. i.e. pick him up, cuddle him, etc. As I previously said, I can do anything with him and it's fine.

Did you adopt him as a pup or is he older than 5yrs?

It honestly sounds like a medical problem. When you pick him up, does he show discomfort? It could be something as simple as arthritis to a neurological problem. Have your vet check him out more thoroughly.

We purchased him from a breeder when he was about 3 months old. He is now little over 5 years old. Has had recent check up and no problems found. Regarding behavior problems vet said could be neorological or need behavior classes. He start to sneer when she goes near him. She doesn't have to actually touch him, but he knows that she is going to pick him up and he reacts to that I guess. But as I said, he shows none of this conduct to me and I am his Alpha 1. For 5 years that had excellent relationship, this just started. Thanks for your inputs.

Sounds like it is time for some remedial obedience work between the two of them. Have her walk him, feed him, etc., and be calm but reinforce "no" at the first sneer ... he seems like he's trying to renegotiate a higher place in the pack order, and we cannot let that happen! How does she react when he gets aggressive now?

Karen:

She feels sad that this is happening. Since we have no children, our little "J.R." is sort of our child. She feels sad he is rejecting her and it hurts her. She's truly confused and sad as I am as well.

I agree that it would appear he is trying to claim a higher position in the 'pack' order. We have both been trying to discipline him when he sneers by telling him NO and also putting him in his crate for a few minutes. (just 2 or 3 minutes) Then when she lets him out, she will have him follow some commands like come, stay, sit to encourage her authority over him. Thanks for your inputs.

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Originally Posted by wilsel

Karen:



I agree that it would appear he is trying to claim a higher position in the 'pack' order. We have both been trying to discipline him when he sneers by telling him NO and also putting him in his crate for a few minutes. (just 2 or 3 minutes) Then when she lets him out, she will have him follow some commands like come, stay, sit to encourage her authority over him. Thanks for your inputs.

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Sounds like you both have a good plan. Your wife might also take over the
feeding too. It helps to have her & food, treats associated in his mind.

Hello everyone:

Just thought I would give you all an update as to how things are going with "J.R." and my wife. Well she has kept strong hold onto her #2 position and reprimanded him when he sneers at her. And when necessary has put him in his crate for a few minutes for an attitude adjustment period. Anyway, it seems like it is working. For the most part he has quit the sneering and showing of his teeth to her. It looks like he was challenging for the #2 position but not figures it's just about futile so might as well give up. She plans to hold firm and we will see where it goes from here. Thanks for all of your input.

Be careful that you are not just suppressing his warnings.

It could very well be that there's an underlying issue and the sneers and growls are simply warnings. If you do not uncover the underlying issue and are just punishing him for warning your wife, he can learn to stop warning - but that doesn't mean he still won't act aggressive.

I've heard of a lot of dogs who learned not to growl - just to bite. So be very careful that you are assessing every and any possibility of his aggressive behavior and not just suppressing his warnings.

Don't put him in his crate after you tell him no, he is going to think of his crate as a bad thing and not want to go in there anymore.
Sounds like your wife needs to start some NILIF training, you need to just ignore the dog right now and let her concentrate on the dog.
Tell her to remember that even though you guys have no chlidren the dog is not her child and shouldn't be treated like one. The dog doesn't think in terms that "I'm going to be mad at you and hurt your feelings", he is trying to be higher in the pack then your wife and she needs to fix that.
When he growls tell her to push him off her lap and ignore him for awhile.
He is used to being cuddled so he will come back to her for cuddles eventually (this is why you should ignore him so that he will go to your wife). Tell her not to give in right away, make him sit then pet him.
Make him work for EVERYTHING, you want food you sit, you want pet you sit, you want to go for a walk you sit..etc.
It won't work right away but within a couple days you should see a difference.
Look up NILIF (nothing in life is free) and start following it.
Oh another thing, make sure he watches you guys (especially your wife) eat BEFORE him