Expert: Carol F - 10/23/2009

Question
I recently rescued a JRT, for the first couple of weeks he did relatively well, albeit the wanting to chase my cat. I have owned Jacks for a number of years and along with Teo my newest Jack, I have my 4 year old Jack Blaze as well as a 10 year old border Collie Rizzo.

Now, Teo comes to me with what appears to be abandonment issues. He will whine to get my attention if I am busy and at times I don't respond right away, he will actually get louder. How do I work with him on understanding that "mommy" isn't going away. I have spoken to the previous owner who said her former husband worked many hours and at times only came home to feed, walk and go back to work.

2) Teo will often "attack" my other Jack Blaze, it seems to be about territorial over me. I suspect what it is, is Teo has only been a one owner dog and having Blaze and Rizzo to share me with, he isn't comfortable with his place in the pack. How do I work with him in feeling equal with them?

3) Well the latest issue is Teo is now started to mark his territory in the house. This has only been in the last day or so, and I just caught him in the act. I did scold him right away, I have some cleaner that I used that takes out the scent of the smell, and I took the bottle to Teo's nose and he instantly turned away. It is pet friendly (i.e. no chemicals that are dangerous). Why would he be marking his territory? Is it anxiety because I left him at home (with Rizzo) when I went to work with Blaze?

4) As if that wasn't enough, Teo, has attacked other dogs in the park, but doesn't do so at home. We have another dog that lives here at my home who is a Great Pearanese /Wolf and has never attacked, nipped or lunged at him.

Now I could just give him to a Jack Russell Rescue, but I have seen the kindness Teo does have, he is sweet, loving and very loyal; just as Blaze and Rizzo are. But I can't have him doing these behaviours either.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Sharon K.

Answer
Hello Sharon,

Thank you for rescuing Teo - and I love the names you picked for all your dogs, very original and special!
The questions you have are the same questions EVERYONE has after rescuing a Jack that has not had the best start. You're right, he is feeling very territorial and protective of you. He is also jealous of your other dogs. Re-training him is going to take lots of patience and lots of work. He is realizing now that your house is now his home and marking  his territory with his urine is normal, but very frustrating I know. Continue to catch him (and stop him) in the act.
Like a new puppy, you have to redirect him outside and take him out every two hours to relieve himself and mark his territory outside.
The aggression with other dogs and people will probably require professional intervention with a dog trainer and specific techniques to reassure him.
One Stillwell technique that works great is distracting Teo to focus on  only YOU when there are other dogs around. When outside walking or in the park, etc and other dogs are around, call his attention to you with a delicious treat; let him smell it and then hold it up to your face/eyes and say "watch me" - and when he focuses on you and the treat, give it to him and reward him with a "good boy". Repeat over and over until he doesn't care or notice the dogs around him and is focusing only on you and that treat. This takes TIME so don't get discouraged. Eventually all you will have to say is "watch me" and he will look at you instead of the dogs around him.
You are desensitizing him to other dogs.
The same holds true with leaving him alone in the house.
It sounds silly but practice leaving and coming back - making the time you are "gone" longer and longer. For example, leave, close the door behind you, and come right back in. Leave again, close the door and stay outside for a minute. Come back in, leave again but this time stay outside for 2 minutes. Leave again, but this time stay outside for 5 minutes, and on and on until you are outside for half an hour. You are DESENSITIZING him to your leaving. He will eventually learn that yes... you are coming back.  It's tedious and takes a long time, but it works if you can follow through with it.
Successful dog training is through repetition and consistency. Be patient and consistent and you'll see some changes. GOOD LUCK!!! Hope this helped.