JRT Problem

• 08-03-2007 12:51 AM

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,788 Points 230

  JRT Problem Reply Contact ok a little history.... when i moved out of my mom's place i had a JRT. new landlord didnt like ANY dogs, so i put my JRT with a friend and her family - husband, kid, lab, fenced backyard in nice neighbourhood. for the past four years everything has been just fine. origionally it was just a temporary home for her.... i wanted to get my dog back, but was not condusive to living there.... but as does happen... they got attached, everyone was happy, so ... she stayed. no big deal. i wasnt going to take a dog away from an 6 year old kid... ok fastforward to now - four years exactly - we were at a cook out a couple of weeks ago, and these friends were there, so i asked how Amber - the dog- was getting along... they told me not so well lately. for some reason this dog has suddenly taken on a rotten personality and has decided to attack their lab any chance she can get. both dogs are in the house, both dogs are crate trained, both dogs are spayed, Amber was trained by me when i had her.... but i dont know if they kept up with any of the routines... my guess is no. not really. so i told them that i was prepared to take her back if they felt they couldnt handle her. apparently she bit the husband pretty badly while he was trying to separate the dogs. his thumb nail was busted and blackened.. ew.. but because i have two kids now he is reluctant to take me up on that offer. he doesnt trust Amber to NOT try to bite a kid.... his wife said they are going to try to work with her more... but i dont see it happening at this point. everything was fine when she first went to live with them, now i am hearing from others that the husband is becoming a borderline alcoholic - his dad died last year, and his mom oblivious to reality and everyone around her due to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease....  so i guess you could say the man is depressed..... what IRKS me is they dont have time to deal with her properly. i want her back so i can do something about her... but they dont think i can, nor should i even try. i know this dog.. i've raised her from a puppy - she and her little sister were rescued from a bad situation and neglectful owners - her sister lives in south florida, happy as a clam.... but her big sister.. well... she needs rescuing again, i think. so now i dont really know what to do. even when i told them that i KNEW people in JRT rescues that could either help them train her OR take her and find her a different home, they kinda looked at me like i was talking through my butt.... they're older than me, so what do i know, right? one thing i am considering is... finding out for sure if they plan to rehome her... then get someone i know, that they dont know.. to just go get her for me. I would prefer to assess her myself. i'm not worried about my kids. i would never put them in danger. if she does turn out to be a little monster then i will STILL contact JRT rescue and get their help. they have helped me in the past with this sort of thing.... so.... what would you do? she WAS a sweet little dog. she did have some dominance/resource guarding issues, but no one ever got hurt. it sprang from the situation she was born into.. accidental breeding, left in the backyard with mom and siblings. the other puppies all found homes except her. they were going to keep her (no intentions of getting her fixed) and would end up breeding her back to her dad (who lived comfortably in the house).... the mom was a walking mop. covered in matted hair and fleas.. i dont know what mix she was, but looked to be half cairn terrier and poodle. she was a sweet dog, but severely neglected.... they finally gave in and let me have the last puppy... months later i found out from them that the mom had another litter on the ground, but thats a different story.... so.... i guess i must be nuts.... should i just stick with contacting JRT rescue or what? i have been wanting to get another dog, a smaller one to have inside, and i know this dog (or i used to know her) and neither me OR my husband would mind having her back.. he was actually quite fond of her.. the only thing standing in the way is these people thinking i cant control her.... but they make this assumption without even knowing me! [:'(]

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 1:25 AM

  In reply to DumDog

  ColleenC Joined on 07-26-2006 Posts 1,604 Points 5

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact Time for some strict NILIF routine.  And, that guy should not be mad for the dog biting him...he is the one who reached into the fight.  In my opinion, that does not count as a bite to a human.  Dogs get into a total fight mode when they are like that and bite anything near them.  Usually, these problems start somewhere and don't jsut appear overnight.  Could they be somehow favoring the lab?  Treating the lab as if it is the dominant dog?  The stress in the family can also play a big part in the attitude.  Sure, there is the chance that she could just be dog aggressive due to her genetics, but I have a feeling there is something going on with the family that is making the problem worse.  What starts the fights?  Food, toys, attention?

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 1:47 AM

  In reply to DumDog

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,788 Points 230

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact well thats just the thing. there IS strife in this family and i am really itching to get her out before it blows apart.... it may not... but you never know. the reason i have a bad feeling is because when i offered them advice and asked questions i was treated like i didnt know what the heck i was talking about.... the one guy even looked at my husband like "Will YOU explain it to her?  ..stupid kid" and yeah i kinda wonder if they favour the lab more.... the lab is hyper active and demands attention, will sit on you to get it... Amber probably got fed up with it. she wasnt alpha dog in my house.. i was.... if anything, she was the omega being the youngest and the smallest - the other two dogs were dobie mix and sheltie mix.. Amber hardly came up to their knees. not that size matters to a terrier..... i already have a plan on how to begin working with her IF she does come back here. which is the other concern... they are convinced she CANT be around any other dogs because of her tiff with the lab. when i mentioned the B word (bulldog) they were certain she couldnt come back to me. even after i said that Kaydee and Ben were least of their worries. and besides that, the yard is secure. Amber wouldnt leave the house or yard without a leash. still... brick wall. i just want to stomp on their heads!! my advice was sneared at!! was it because i am YOUNG?? the past four years everything has been great, and now they're having problems.... so they say. i kind of wonder if they have been having problems all along and just now came to a head with her biting him.....

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 2:08 AM

  In reply to DumDog

  talenak Joined on 07-26-2007 Posts 151 Points 0

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact That poor girl.  I hope you get her back.  Not that I have any helpful advice, but if there was any kind of intention of her going back to you in the first place, I'd really start pushing on them to let you have her back.  Let them know you have a plan and the resources to either bring her back to the dog she was before they got her, or send her somewhere safe if you can't.  I, at least, think they owe you that much.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 2:11 AM

  In reply to DumDog

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,788 Points 230

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact thats what i think... i know they are trying to look out for the safety of my kids... but this is NOT my first rodeo.... getting them to realise that is the tricky part... i think i'm going to talk to my husband about it tomorrow and see what he can find out... if they really are trying to work with her, or if they have bigger problems that need their attention. i know when you have family problems the dog can get pushed to the side.... i understand that and wont condemn them for it..... but dang it! gimme my dog back if you dont have time for it! [:@]

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 10:05 AM

  In reply to DumDog

  agilebasenji Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 2,387 Points 200	RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact Thyroid?  full panel.   Personally, I'd do everything I could to get the dog back.
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• 08-03-2007 10:26 AM

  In reply to DumDog

  2shelties Joined on 04-30-2007 Posts 835 Points 90

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact I would also do everything I could to get the dog back, unless you knew they were very actively working with her to correct the problem and had no intention of rehoming her. The possibility of them rehoming her to someone you don't know or dropping her off at the pound would frighten me. Talk to them again and make them promise to return her to you before they do anything else? Then if it doesn't work out with her back with you, you can always contact JRT rescue.   ETA: Also, the dog may be reacting to the stress in their household. Ripley - Shetland Sheepdog Frosty - Shetland Sheepdog Shiner - Border Collie Scarlett - something mini aussie-ish Muffin and Pookie - the kitties

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 2:26 PM

  In reply to DumDog

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact I hope you can get the dog back.  I agree with agilebasenji that she needs a thyroid panel.  How old is the dog now?   Lurkers:  This is a good reason to have a contract whenever you sell or adopt out an animal.  The contract could give you the right of first refusal if ownership is transferred - (1)  the right to match a sale price or (2)  the right to reclaim the animal before ownership is transferred to another person or to a shelter.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 3:58 PM

  In reply to DumDog

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,788 Points 230

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact Lurkers, this is also a great lesson in not doing business with family or friends.... no it wasnt a business deal really... but if you rehome a dog for what ever reasons and that home crumbles.... then you should have a written agreement on what happens to the dog no matter the situation.... this all took place before i was a member of ANY dog forum. and the dog is now at the age of seven. she was two years old when i had to rehome her. everything seemed honky dorry when i would go by to visit her, but now it isnt... and what exactly is a thyroid panel? thats a new on me, and she has also been spayed.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 4:50 PM

  In reply to DumDog

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact DumDog: and what exactly is a thyroid panel? thats a new on me, and she has also been spayed.  Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) can easily cause aggression problems. Sometimes that is the only symptom. Treatment is easy and cheap (a pill twice a day) if this is a problem. A list of possible hypothyroid symptoms can be found in the middle of www.apubasenjis.com/bhealth.html. I would request a thyroid panel done at MSU (Michigan State University) or Hemopet to get their result interpretation (adjusted for age and breed) and dosage advice. Both companies are doing thyroid research.  My personal preference is Hemopet(link).  That site will provide you with forms and information on how much blood to draw. Ask for the 6-way test for T3, T4, free T3, free T4, T3 autoantibodies, and T4 autoantibodies. It gives a full picture of the thyroid function and avoids the possibility of having to do another blood draw to get the additional values. When the autoantibodies are present, measurement of T4 and T3 levels will be spuriously high. Note that in addition to lab costs, your vet will naturally charge for drawing the blood, preparing it, and shipping it. Optionally, the vet may agree for you to do the mailing if, for instance, you want to take the package to the shipper immediately.

  Filed under: thyroid panel, hypothyroidism, Hemopet Post Points: 0

• 08-03-2007 6:08 PM

  In reply to DumDog

  dogsRkewl Joined on 03-27-2007 Posts 78 Points 0

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact I suppose what is wrong with her is a moot point if you can't get her back.  I see it a few ways... Why are they shutting down to your requests for the dog? [blockquote] - It's possible they just think you are young and don't know what you are talking about -It's possible that they have no intentions of getting rid of her and plan on working with her themselves.  Perhaps the thought of getting rid of her is very tough for them. -It's possible they truely don't think the dog will mix with your kids or other dog.[/blockquote] I would try and reason perhaps with the wife.  Try to get her into a talking mood and see what their true intentions are.  Chances are if they don't think the dog is suitable for your home because of her temperament, then they won't try to rehome her to others.  Which is a scary thought because what if they decide to PTS?   Perhaps you could try to have your husband talk to the other husband?  Chances are if the man thinks you are too young, he may connect better with your husband, even if he is just as young.  Not to stereotype, but some men are like that.  Just a thought on that.   I would suggest to them to allow you to come over and work with her here and there.  Let them see you interact with her and maybe they will see just how able you are with the JRT.  Maybe you could change their minds that way.  If they do have alot going on, they may be thankful that you are offering to take some stuff off of their plate.  Worse case scenario for them, they don't think it's working and ask you to stop coming.    Finally, if they don't agree to allow you to take her or if they plan on keeping her, ensure they get the full thyroid panel and vet check.  If they are strapped for time/money, offer to take her to the vet for them.  You would do it if you owned her.  Again, they may appreciate it.   No matter what, good luck!

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• 08-03-2007 10:29 PM

  In reply to DumDog

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,788 Points 230

  RE: JRT Problem Reply Contact yeah i have thought about all of that. going to get my hubby to talk to them both.. and yes my biggest worry is her being PTS. i dont think she is a little monster.... she sounds just the same as before - she was territorial over her crate when i had her, and probably still is today. it might just be that she cant live in the same house with another big dog, their lab is just too excitable and probably played too rough. when i asked them what lead up to the fight all they could say was... nothing. they didnt see any reason for it. she just nailed her for no reason.... they let the dogs out to potty and Amber jumped the other dog first thing... wanna know what i think? ...they just werent paying attention.... Amber, the JRT, might have just nailed the lab but she probably had a reason. Amber used to hide treats all over the place when i had her.. while visiting friends she would hide treats at their house, then find them on the next visit.... she would also guard her crate from another dog... but not from people. she was also a little tyrant. she didnt care how big the other dogs were... she would rule the roost, or make such a pest of herself that she had to be crated till she cooled off.... then all was well. we have a lot of things on the agenda tomorrow, one of which is to stop by and see them. i will most definetely tell them about the thyroid panel. i am pretty up and up on dog stuff, but i had never heard of that before, first time for everything, so if i havent heard of it, then i KNOW they havent either..... regardless of that, if they arent doing anything yet, then i'm going to play dirty.... going to get a friend to say they want the dog.. then get them to bring her to me. i dont know if you've ever had gut feelings about something, but i KNOW there is nothing wrong with her. now.... when we talk to them, its just as likely that everything has cooled down and its the peaceable kingdom again, which is just fine with me. i really dont want to uproot her if i dont have to, AS LONG AS everything is stable in that home. the problem with going over to help work with her is that we've moved twice since then, this time we are almost an hour away from where they live. and we only have one reliable car, which my husband uses to go to work on. i'll have to just wait and play my cards right before i make a final decision.. but thank you all for the advice and support. it is greatly appreciated.

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