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Post by OwnedbyJRT on Mar 1, 2005 16:46:36 GMT -5
I posted a couple weeks ago and no one responded... can I try again? I have a JRT that we adopted almost 6 months ago. He has bitten twice - once when daughter grabbed him after he stole food from her bedside table (yes we got a handle on leaving food out) and once while my 6 yr. old was playing air hockey (yes hands flying all around, puck shooting all around) so maybe displaced aggression? My question though too is that when we have new kids come into the house (friends, family) he seems to want to run to them and grab their pant legs. When people are over I now keep him on a gentle leader and a leash as he stays in a more submissive state that way. I figure if he can stay submissive and act appropriately in the long term won't that develop "good habits?" Plus I take him to the park and try to desensitize him to kids, playing, noises, running, etc. He is leash aggressive to other dogs and seems to ignore kids at the park - but in our house he wants to grab their pants... why is he not trustworthy with kids? We are still working on him seeing the kids as alpha and I want him to know it is not his job to guard the house or anything else, that it is my job and if I say they can come in he should act appropriately. Any ideas? I read w/ interest the issue on the other thread about the chow, and while my guy has bitten it seems displaced rather than full out aggression - but then does it really matter where it comes from? I do think I have a dog I may always have to "manage" but is there a way to get him to just act "normal" when kids are over and be trustworthy?
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Post by OwnedbyJRT on Mar 1, 2005 16:53:58 GMT -5
Oh and one more thing.. I saw the chow thread was locked so i couldn't as.. Would the use of an e-collar work w/ the kid chasing thing? when he starts to chase (prey instinct perhaps?) he gets a little jolt? Lowest setting I think.. it worked on his barking..actually for barking outside I now just use an e-collar that emits a sound vs. a shock. But could a shock be useful in that mindless prey drive he has? cats? birds? kids? like start to make him "think" before acting?
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Post by sibemom on Mar 1, 2005 17:39:58 GMT -5
Ok lets get down to biz here. You have a JRT, they are high in prey drive because their purpose was to hunt vermine such as rats etc... NO DO NOT USE AN E COLLAR ON THIS DOG UNLESS YOU WORK WITH AN EXPERINECED E COLLAR TRAINER. The simplest thing to do right now is to teach your dog a LONG down stay. Now with the breed you have choosen this can be frustrating, but they are very smart you just have to keep instilling the proper behavior. I have a GSD and they were bred to herd, and yes they have strong drive. The very first thing I worked on with her was downs and I did this on leash while my 4 year old was running around like a maniac in front of her. If she tried to break I corrected her and put her right back in the down. I also would have her sit and my son would run around like crazy and if she tried to chase him I would correct and keep her in the sit. IT'S UP TO YOU TO STOP THIS. I do not allow my dogs to jump, nip, chase children whether my own or someone elses. So get tough with the little bugger and keep controll. JRT's can be a bit aggresive to other dogs but there again you must keep a handle on it. I wish you all the luck this is a breed that takes some management but they are fun little dogs when trained
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Post by Laura on Mar 1, 2005 18:05:24 GMT -5
Hi JRT! First off, let me apologize for the non-response for your first thread, sometimes on ProBoards certain threads are unviewable (that's what you get for free hosting ;D). Actually, in this case, an e-collar would be an excellent tool to use, but as Sibemom said, it's best to find a trainer well versed in the use of one to get you started. Something else you may want to start with first is a micro prong collar, which you can get through JJ Dog Supply on the web. Now you've got to work on obedience training, and correction. When you see the undesirable behavior (in this case, herding the kids) redirect the behavior, THEN correct for non compliance of the command. I.e., when the dog starts to herd and nip, have the dog on a leash so you can control him, give the dog a redirection, such as sit and focus on you, and then if the dog does not comply, you can correct him verbally and with a collar correction. Be sure to balance out the corrections with high praise when you do get the right behavior from the dog!
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Post by Jayehawk70 on Apr 12, 2005 18:52:13 GMT -5
Well I have the same problem, but I have a much larger dog. My Lady is a German Shepherd Dog. We are starting obedience training, and we are going to see if that helps. Other than that I don't know what to do - the neighborhood kids are deathly afraid of her!!
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