What To Think/do After This

[jaybeece]

My folks have a 9 year old JRT who's a bit of a jerk. He's extremely rude to other dogs, gets in their faces a lot, growls, humps them and is generally a rude little bugger. He has the largest pair of invisible testicles I've ever encountered on a dog.

My dog's been really tolerant of him all the way, even put up with having his leg humped (JRT couldn't reach any higher). I always make sure to call him away from the JRT if he's being a jerk as I don't want my dog being harassed by him. Normally they settle really well, my dog in front of the heater, the JRT on the couch with dad.

The other night I was over there my dog went outside for a bit of a snuffle around and the JRT got hold of a tennis ball, which he has NEVER shown any interest in, but has witnessed my dog playing with it.

Mine came back in and the JRT started parading back and forth with the ball, deliberately getting right in my dog's face with it. I called mine to me and told dad it'd be best if the tennis ball was put away. The JRT got up on the couch afterwards and I guess he eyeballed my dog wrong as mine just lurched at him barking.

Dad got between them, I dragged my boy away and no harm done, my dog was all noise thankfully.

Now there are 2 different perspectives on this, mine and my parents. Mum said that the JRT deserved it because he was being a wanker (I don't think she likes him much), dad agrees and said this little guy does antagonise other dogs all the time on walks. He spent the rest of the night outside. They both thought my dog was incredibly patient, has been all along and that obviously he'd just had enough of the JRT's attitude.

My perspective however is that the reaction from my dog was over the top and not appropriate, especially given the huge size and strength difference between them. It's true that he was handling it well for a while and has done in the past, but he didn't need to launch so dramatically at the JRT to put him back in his place. I told them that in the future I'll do a sweep of the room first to ensure there's no toys/balls around and also keep my dog onlead around the JRT. He has one more (minor) strike and he's out, no more visits to my parent's place unless the dogs are kept apart (one inside, one outside).

They think I'm being harsh, but I don't know if the JRT got the message or not and may try it on again and since it's his house I'd think he takes priority. I'm also thinking of the safety of both dogs, the JRT in particular as he could get himself very badly injured or killed by antagonising my dog and I don't trust that he'll change his attitude over just one incidence, especially when dad protected him so quickly (ie. no real consequences to his actions).

I think a big part of the JRT's behaviour stems from him being boss of the house, being spoiled by dad, not having any training and very little discipline. He's really very well behaved so there hasn't been much need for training or discipline though, it's just his attitude towards other dogs is a bit off.

What's thoughts? Is there something I can do to sort things out with these 2 or would it be best to just play it safe indefinitely? Mum and dad would be willing to help out (mum in particular) as they want my dog to keep coming over and don't blame him at all. Not sure if I could get NILIF or TOT happening over there as dad's a bit too laid back with dogs, but mum might be able to convince him as she'd like to see the JRT's manners improve.

ETA: not sure if this is relevant, but they've only had the JRT for 6 months or so, he's a shelter dog

Edited July 4, 2008 by jaybeece

[Erny]

I think a big part of the JRT's behaviour stems from him being boss of the house, being spoiled by dad, not having any training and very little discipline. He's really very well behaved so there hasn't been much need for training or discipline though, it's just his attitude towards other dogs is a bit off.

This is what I was thinking as I was reading your post, Jaybeece. That, coupled with the possibility that there may have been times when you should have ceased the harrassment on behalf of your own dog?? (not sure .... only you would know).

Leadership to/over both dogs is required.

Edited July 4, 2008 by Erny

[jaybeece]

Thanks Erny, that's pretty much what I figured.

I think there have been a couple of times when I could have stepped in faster to stop the JRT being a jerk and in the future I won't hesitate to tell him off for it either. He needs to understand that it's not on and my dog needs to know that he can leave it to me to sort out.

[jaybeece]

Well they came round last night and things were pretty ok.

Dad's worried that the JRT will be more likely to snap/growl at my dog now and is concerned that my dog will reciprocate more easily as well. He brought the JRT by last night and he did growl at my dog once while sitting on dad's lap (which he never used to do), but I'm now stepping in and telling him off for it. My dog just ignored him and acted like the happy retard he usually is He seems totally over it and isn't any more likely to act up than he was prior to the tiff so I'm happy with how he's handled it.

I am concerned that the JRT will definitely act up again in the future though as he learned that there are no consequences and that he gets his way in doing so. If I'm around then this ain't going to happen and I'm going to push dad to follow suit. I told him last night that if he allows and effectively encourages the JRT to continue like this then he may end up with bigger problem on his hands, ie. like what's happened with my dog. I think that scared him enough to think I may have a point :D