Hi I own a long haired Jack Russle who is 8 years old, previously we had another dog that turned on her all of a sudden so we had to keep them apart, we have since had her put to sleep due to cancer. Anyway my other dog who has the run of the house now has turned nasty and when she is on the couch, if you go anywhere near her she goes crazy and get really vicious, I have heard that spading is a possibility but can someone give me any advise as to why she is doing this or any ideas on how to put a stop to it as I am now at a loose end with her.

Please help, any ideas welcome

Thanks

Does she only do this when on the couch ???
Maybe she isnt feeling too well ? or time of the month perhaps ? How long has she been like this for ?

I have considdered her not feeling well and she seems perfectly normal although she does tend to chew her feet all the time, she has always been a tempremental dog but she is getting worse and worse and even bit me the other day, I just dont know what to do with her, I have even considdered a animal psycic to determin what is bothering her

How long has this been happening? If she's running a temperature, or is in pain anywhere, she is likely to get 'tetchy'. though this sounds more than that. What do you do when she does it?

I tend to yell at her and push her off the couch she then tries to sit with my mum who also tells her to go aways, I have tried to shut her out of the room so she knows she has been bad and that doesnt work either

It would be worth trying with a long line attached to her collar, so that you don't have to put your hands near her to get her off the couch. Just say "Off!!" and if she doesn't then use the line to pull her off, without being confrontational.

She doesnt wear a collar in the house and if you put one anywhere near her she thinks she is going out for a walk and goes crazy, jumping around and stuff. I am not too fussed with picking her up, I just wish I knew why she does it and how to stop it, she will sit next to me on the couch for hours and if you touch her in any way it is then she starts to growl. Or if she is sitting on something that you want and try to get it she goes for me

It sounds to me (though I'm not an expert!) that she's getting too big for her boots and needs taking down a peg or two. (Very terrier-ish trait!)

that has definately crossed our minds but have you any ideas on how to do that without miss treating her in any way as she has a lot of will power, typical terrier as you said

One method has already been suggested, and I would keep a collar on her at all times, and attach a line to it so you can make her comply without having to touch her.

Also have a search for the NILIF training program. This stands for nothing in life is free. You will have to make her earn all her priveledges by doing something you tell her to do. Onoly pet, feed, walk her etc on your terms, and not when she demands attention.

Basically she doesn't respect your podtion, and feels she is entiled to call the shots, and the loss of the other dog (her rival) has confirmed that she is the alpha in your pack.

Yes that does sounds a good idea, perhaps not letting her on the couch at all is an idea. I have to be honest and say that she is spoilt, especially after I lost what was my dog, who followed me everywhere and was as good as gold, Perhaps the thought that as I have never had much to do with her and my mum has is a reason that she tends to turn on me and not her, maybe she thinks she is above me in the pecking order and does need to be put into her place

I agree, definately sounds like she thinks she is boss. By allowing her onto the couch you are elevating her status. I would try to keep her off the couch, put her into a separate room from you until she learns some manners. Can you get hold of a child gate, they are very good as they don't shut the dog away from you completely. Do you eat first before she has her meal? This would help. Make sure you go through a doorway first. As to her collar, why not keep it on her when you come back from a walk, she won't take any notice of it then. If you are going to let her into the lounge, put the line on it as JG suggests, it will stop the confrontation.
Most of all be consistant. If you say no to the couch, don't give in. She just needs to learn that you are the leader, unfortunately at the moment she thinks she is. She will be a more contented dog when she accepts this.
Good luck
Sandra

Thank you Sandra for some more good advise, I am glad to have met some people on her that know more than I do about the matter and I will definately try so of the ideas out, As I said in my last post I do tend to spoil her which could have led to this situation so I will put a stop tp this straight aways and start to show her who are the bosses in this house

It is when she is comfortable and it has been the same for quite a long time but as i said getting worse

Oh my god, had to check your e-mail address to see if you were in fact my brother(sorry if you are a lady!!!!). He lives with my mum, and they have an older jack russell, long haired, who behaves exactly as you describe. It's uncanny. She sits where she likes, and if you attempt to move her she growls, and will actually bite. She has bitten my brother, and he has scars to prove it, but , as in your case,not my mum. My brother spoils Cookie, and thinks it's cruel to try and impose any discipline at all.She was recently spayed, and is no different, temperament wise. She also will not allow anyone to put her collar on, and is now refusing to walk with only one person, and so my mum and brother can only walk her together. She is a beautiful dog, and can be jolly, but I cannot allow my kids near her as sometimes she growls and goes to bite for reasons only known to her. She is unbearable at night, and barks at any noise. And if she's given a pig's ear or suchlike, look out. Sorry to hijack your thread, but could not believe how alike the problem is. I've told my family to restrict Cookie's treats, run of the house, etc,but my brother will not consider it. AAAAARGGGG!!! Good luck, and I'm sure if you take some of the advice from the other posters, your girl will hopefully not get to the stage where Cookie is at, ie actually biting, and getting away with it! I'm sure if these measures mentioned had been carried out, things will improve for you. Beth x

Hi BoBo,

I am glad to hear that I am not alone but also very sad that things are a lot worse in your case, it is a shame that they are like this as they can be such loving dogs too, you would never believe that maddie could be like that if you saw her out in the park or something as she looks like butter wouldnt melt, if only.

Anyway good luck with cookie as well.

Mel

Mel,
thanks, and the same to you and your Maddie. I hope it's not too late for you!! Bethx