Whats wrong with my Jack Russel?

[Emmaj]

Originally Posted by corny girl

Sounds to me like a classic case of a Dog that has not been socialised properly as a pup. Agree with most, get a muzzle & walk where there aren't any young kids about, if you see kids you simply turn round & walk the other way. SIMPLES . But then at 13 you wouldn't have that sort of sense to do that. Sorry but a 13 year old shouldn't be left in charge of a Dog that has the tendancy to bite (or even snap at kids). No kid should be in charge of a Dog without a parent about. Not 100% sure but think it is law that children (under 16) shouldn't be in charge of Dogs on their own. Perhaps somebody will correct me if i'm wrong but i'm pretty sure it's right.

Originally Posted by luke123

Thats the most stupid thing I've ever heard to be honest. Your trying to tell me that a 13 year old can't walk a dog?

it may be stupid but its correct

[KathyM]

No, a dog with this kind of problem should only be walked by a responsible adult - I'm surprised your parents are happy for you to walk him when he's aggressive. I have a 14 year old son that is very experienced with animal care for his age, and I wouldn't let him walk a dog that has a tendency to snap/bite. If an owner is leaving a dog in the care of a child that admits they can't control the dog, and that dog has a tendency to snap/bite, AND it's not wearing a muzzle, they should be made aware that they are breaking the law. The dog doesn't even have to bite someone for them to be prosecuted. Someone just has to report that they felt scared by your dog and your parents will get taken to court, and the dog potentially destroyed.

Don't walk the dog, it's your parents' job - and tell them to get him a muzzle.

[AnythingWithAShell]

I didn't realise you were just 13. You absolutely shouldn't be given the sole responsibility for this dog in public until his problems are addressed and solved. It's not fair on you or the dog.

[Esarosa]

Luke sorry to sound like a broken record but PLEASE get your parents to get this dog a muzzle. Whether he's gone for the vet once or different people lots of times is irrelevent. You have a LEGAL responsibility. IF he does bite someone, chances are they will pursue the matter and he would end up destroyed. If you're going to walk him alone you need to be responsible about this. Even if your parents are walking him. He needs a muzzle.

You don't want him to have to be put to sleep do you? That's what will happen if he does bite someone. Whether they antagonise him or not.


PLEASE get this dog a muzzle and a trainer/behaviourist.

[rmb87]

The poor kids asked for help, and seems to be getting alot of stick for it...


I dont know much about dog behaviour so like some people have already suggested it would be best to ask a proffesional, who wont bite your head off for doing the right thing and asking for help

[Ssthisto]

I would also suggest the muzzle... and one other technique.

If little kids come up and insist on petting him, pick him up and walk away. Don't let him run away from them (which instigates more bad behaviour on the kids' part) but don't let the kids chase him either. If he's in your arms the kids can't harass him without invading YOUR space.

If he were mine - and keep in mind I'm an adult, and I'm willing to get bitten by my own pets - I would pick him up and hold him so that he can't reach the kids with his face, then say "NOW you can pet him". He doesn't get the reward of "If I act scared I make them leave me alone" and will hopefully get the idea that being petted by "mum" AND the kids is a nice thing. But I AM aware that doing this could wind up with me being bitten - if he's that scared of being touched by a stranger that he'd go for whatever he can reach at that point.

[KathyM]

Originally Posted by rmb87

The poor kids asked for help, and seems to be getting alot of stick for it...

If by "stick" you mean honest, helpful advice that might prevent his dog being destroyed and his parents getting a criminal record, then yes....

[rmb87]

Originally Posted by KathyM

If by "stick" you mean honest, helpful advice that might prevent his dog being destroyed and his parents getting a criminal record, then yes....

Honest advice is all good, although not all of it was friendly, hes just a kid. He obviously didnt realise the seriousness of the situation, but he's doing the right thing by asking for advice.

[LisaLQ]

To be fair on him, it's his parents who should be showing responsibility and asking advice. Clearly they're not that fussed if they let him walk a dog who he cant control. He deserves a big thumbs up for trying to fix their problem for them, but they deserve a big thumbs down for not showing the same initiative, considering they're supposed to be the adults.

[butterfingersbimbo]

I also agree that at 13 you shouldn't have to take the responsibility of walking the dog if there's a chance he will bite someone.