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Canine Behavior/Aggressive!

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Expert: - 2/3/2012


Question
I have a 20 month - old Jack Russell named Toby. He's absolutely lovely towards our family and most other dogs, but every time my uncle comes round, he becomes very vicious and tries to bite him. We don't know how to handle this and need your advice! He has been very well socialized from a very young age and has been fine until recently. He only behaves like this with my uncle, no one else. Please help us stop this!
Thank you.

Answer
The dog is reacting to your uncle either because your uncle is afraid of dogs (adrenaline and body language) or your uncle and this dog have had an "altercation" out of your sight.  This is not "normal" aggression, it is fear related.  The JRT can be a very "dominant" and stubborn little dog but it seems yours has been well socialized and (hopefully) trained using positive reinforcement.  IF THE ONLY PERSON he exhibits this aggression toward is your Uncle, THEN the solution is: DO NOT ALLOW THE DOG to interact with your Uncle, for any reason, at any time.  Every single time he demonstrates aggression toward this man, whether there is a valid reason for it or just "something" the dog senses (and since I can't see their interaction I can't determine which it is), he learns more about how to use aggression to control his environment and to control people, something you DO NOT want.

It's not that unusual for a dog to dislike one particular person and there's ALWAYS a reason even though the average person might not be able to read the dog's body language and figure it out.  Many, many dogs have to be confined to safe place (room with locked door and special toy, such as a Buster Cube) when children visit, sometimes even casual visitors of any variety.  Avoiding ANY situation that elicits aggression is the way to STOP it from beginning to generalize (to people who "look" like your Uncle, then to every male visitor, etc.)  It's in the dog's best interests and in your best interests as well.

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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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