Rehoming Advice (2 Dogs)

SJP2009

Ok, here it goes.
I would like some advice
I have two Jack Russells (wired hair, Irish Kennel registered and micro chipped). They’re great dogs, well, one in particular, however the male is starting to cause us some problems. We have them now 5 years and I now have a 2 year old daughter.
Basically my wife has lost all trust in the dog as he has shown his teeth to my two year old on a few occasions now. He has never bitten or snapped, however, put another dog into the equation and there is war!
My wife is fearful that a showing of the teeth will turn into a bite on the face at some stage, which or course is a concern of mine also.
I think to try and resolve the situation and keep the dog and for in 1 month or 1 year down the road, for him to bite my daughter, I could never forgive myself, because it is me that is promoting to keeping him.
That’s one part, the other part is that I really want to keep the female and my wife has no problem with that. The only concern I have is that she will get lonely in the house all day, although she will be spoilt every evening and weekend.
Is it cruel to separate them now, after 4 years or will I try to rehome them together (which my wife thinks will be near impossible to house two dogs). I have contacted the breeder who we got them from, she is a professional and is not a ‘puppy farm’ character. According to her they will adapt to being separated after a few weeks and will be fine.
I am absolutely torn up from firstly, having to rehome the male and two separating them or giving the two away to a new home and worrying how the female will be. She is a gem of a dog, so loving etc and would love to keep her.

Any opinions/advice?

Thanks

ISDW

So the breeder is taking him back?

I'd say the bitch will adapat no problem, but I would suggest getting him neutered before giving him back to the breeder.

SJP2009

ISDW wrote: »

So the breeder is taking him back?

I'd say the bitch will adapat no problem, but I would suggest getting him neutered before giving him back to the breeder.

Well, no the Breeder isnt, but is willing to give advice and help rehome if needs be.

He is already neutered, so that box is ticked.

I am just wondering is there anyway I coudl try and solve this with him. I am reading up on behavioural classes etc, which seem to highlight issues with children and aggressive with other dogs............ but dont think my wife will allow it. In case something happens! But as i say, he has never bitten or snapped.

Its just the bloody showing of the teeth which is his way of saying "I am not comfortable with this, stop".

TooManyDogs

What about getting in a behaviourist? They'd be able to advise you how to deal with the issue, any retraining needed. I also have a 2 year old and know how much of a nightmare they can be around animals. Key thing is never to leave them alone with the dogs and to make sure the dogs have a safe space away from the child that they can retreat to if they need space. You also have to have eyes in the back of your head so you can correct your child really early so the dog doesn't have to.

Tranceypoo

What were the circumstances in which the dog showed his teeth, ie were the two dogs playing, was your child playing with the dog? Was the snarl directed at your child particularly or just a general snarl? Did the dog walk away immediately afterwards or did you take your child away?

SJP2009

Tranceypoo wrote: »

What were the circumstances in which the dog showed his teeth, ie were the two dogs playing, was your child playing with the dog? Was the snarl directed at your child particularly or just a general snarl? Did the dog walk away immediately afterwards or did you take your child away?

She was just going between the two dogs, patting them and hugging them. They where in their bed, where my daughter has sat feeding them from her hand many a time.

I was not really looking at the time, my wife saw it and let a yelp. He was just giving a warning, but when does the warning become a physical action (snap/bite). I understand that dogs communicate via wagging their tail, tail between the legs, hunkering down, crying, wyning, barking, howling, showing teeth, growling etc, but thats all communication, its when it turns into a physical action is teh problem.

I know this is very much crystal ball stuff I am asking here, but is it too late to train a 5 year old Jack Russell?

He is a nervous dog. He used to pee when excited or in trouble when younger. My wife summed it up very well the other day, he cant control his emotions. Its like he turns into a different dog. There have been two incidents with my daughter, however there have been alot with other dogs. So much so that he is put on a lead everytime another dog comes into the park/field etc. Are there socialising events for dogs where owners meet up and get the dogs introduced, maybe we all share a common issue with the dog?

TooManyDogs

It sounds like you definitely need the help of a behaviourist. Siobhan from Dublin Pet School is excellent in my experience, www.dublinpetschool.com It doesn't sound like your dog is particularily comfortable if he's nervous so a behaviourist can make a huge difference, diagnosing what's going on and giving you a plan to change his behaviour.

Zapperzy

SJP2009 wrote: »

She was just going between the two dogs, patting them and hugging them. They where in their bed, where my daughter has sat feeding them from her hand many a time.

To be fair to the dog your daughter probably pushed him too far. Think of it from the dogs point of view, he's tired and relaxing in his space, 2 year old comes over and starts hugging him (which most dogs do not enjoy but most nevertheless put up with it, hugging is a human thing not a dog thing) and generally annoying you and maybe being a bit rough (obviously without meaning to but you know what 2 year olds are like), now he's pissed off and just wants to sleep in peace so gives a 'back off and leave me alone' warning.

If you want to keep them both I would definitely suggest getting in a reputable behaviourist, anyone who is a member of the apdt (association of pet dog trainers, there's a website but it's down at the moment by the looks of things) is worth the money.

For the moment anyways I would suggest strict supervision when your daughter is with the dogs, also try keeping her away from them when they clearly don't want interaction (i.e when they are in their bed, asleep or when eating). See what a behaviourist says but maybe he needs an area such as a crate where if things are getting a bit too hectic or he wants some peace and quiet he can retreat to knowing he won't be disturbed by anyone.

As for knowing how she'l react to separating them, have you got any friends or family who'd take the male for a week or even put him in boarding for a week?