Hi Beverley,
I would be really grateful for any advice on my Yorkie x JRT's behaviour. She's coming up for 6 years old in December and her problem is she's dog aggressive.
I've been trying to contact a behaviourist for the past couple of weeks but I'm not sure whether there's a problem receiving my emails as there's been no reply so far.
Missy was originally the dominant pup in her litter, she bullied her siblings and was basically the bolshy one, however I fell in love with her and thought no more of her being a dominant pup etc. We attended Puppy Parties at our local Vet's and then went on to Training classes where she did well. However now I look back, the early signs of her aggressive nature were showing through already. She had to have many "time outs" as she got to rough with the other puppies and used to corner them, not letting them move. The trainer at the time just said it was puppy development and that being a Terrier she was naturally more "pushy" then the other pups.
It didn't help that all the dogs we were meeting out and about on our walks were quite rough with Missy, she really only had two doggy "friends" that were gentle with her. The rest would pin her down, chase her, snap at her etc. Just before she was a year old she was snapped at by another JRT and it all escalated into a fight, I had abuse off the owner and cross words were exchanged between both of us. Missy has never been the same since. Things have just got gradually worse. I know if she was let off lead around another small dog she'd kill it, needless to say I do not allow her off lead unless there are no dogs around.
Funnily enough, she accepted my Lab x pup into the home when he was a pup and she's been fantastic with him, but he is extremely laid back and would never challenge her.
She has drawn blood on another dog before and walking her is a nightmare! She pulls, barks and tries to grabs dogs if they come to close to her and only the other day caught an old Labrador by the cheek which understandably distressed the dog. She's a complete Jekyll and Hyde and outside a dog that people avoid, which is a shame as I did everything possible to socialize her.
My question is, can she be changed? A lot of people (behaviourists I've written to on on-line forums) have said that if she has a dominant character she might just be that way inclined. But surely she's not inclined to kill every dog she meets? By reading her body language I wouldn't say she's fearful but I'm no expert. Can anyone please advise me on anything they think may be helpful.
Thanks
Louise Nichol
Over to you!
