Canine Behavior/Molly

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Expert: - 1/4/2008


Question
Hi, I have a 3 year old Jack rustle and Beagle mix named Molly. She is
a very dominate dog and can be quite aggressive toward my sisters and
myself. Me being 15 can handle her pretty well but my younger sisters
can not and when she snaps  at them they either 1. Yell and scream or 2.
they let her dominate over them. This is a real problem because she
only snaps when she is on a bed or they try to pick her up. She only
growls at me when I take her from the Bed. Also, she has some territory
issues! any person that walks by my house is going to get chased. Thank
goodness Molly  does not bite them or even snap at them and once they are
 away from the house she returns inside. Mean while she is harassing
the neighbors i am standing at the door yelling for her and she
continues to bark and chase the people.   She has always done this and she
ignores myself and my sisters but listens to my mother but more so my
father.  I am not sure why because i do the same as them. Oh and she steals
food from my sisters! I love molly but she is setting a bad example for
my new puppy basset hound! This needs to stop! can you help?

Answer
Your situation is complex because there are so many people involved and your JRT has gotten the upper hand.  You need to discuss with your parents that a behaviorist is required and in order to obtain one they need to find someone with real credentials, not a dog trainer!, who can teach your entire family how to put your JRT back in her "place" in your "pack" and educate your family on how to appropriately interact with her.  The situation is far too complex to address in this venue.

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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