I would be so grateful if anyone could help, i have a female Jack Russel who is 11 years old, she doesn't have much experience of socialising with other dogs and can sometimes take a dislike to other dogs and become aggressive. I'm thinking of getting a West Highland Terrier puppy and i'm worried about how well they will get on. Does anyone know how sociable the two breeds are? or have any tips about making my Jack Russel less aggressive? she is fine with some dogs but just takes a dislike to others.

Thanx alot
Bethann

Hi Bethann

Is she like it with bitches or dogs and are there any particular size or breed of dog she seems more anti of ?

My sister had a JR boy and he was sometimes a grumpy boy more so as he got older, normally with boys and other small dogs but was absolutely fine with my Labs , all girls. He was quite well socialised though and had various types and sizes of dogs to play with including a Springer and standard Poodles as my sister's mother in law breed them ! Do you remember Roly from Eastenders ? That was one of her dogs !

Lucy

Hi Lucy
Thanx for your help, she doesnt dilike any particular breed but for some reason she dilikes large spotty dogs (as stupid as it sounds) so i'm hopeing that because the puppy is all white and smaller than her she might be ok. She also seems to take a dislike to bitches more than dogs, its just her initial reaction i'm worried about because i'm sure they will get on when they are used to each other but i don't want her attacking the puppy as soon as she sees it.
Bethann

Hi Bethann

If the new dog is adult, try and select a dog that is, to the best of your knowledge, accustomed to other dogs (i.e., one that is socialized with other dogs). Also, pick the opposite sex dog than the one you currently have, if possible.

Both breeds can be feisty and as your dog can be a bit aggressive then your best bet is a puppy that tends towards the submissive and is smaller than your current dog. Is your current dog a Parsons Jack Russell or a really small one?

Introduce your established dog and the new addition in a neutral place, like a park, garden or a home that is new to both animals. If your current dog is obedience trained, a down/stay is in order. Allow them to sniff one another and encourage play, discourage aggression.

At home, the first thing you must do is establish a spot for each dog that is physically separated from each other. Kennels, crates, or even different rooms till you feel that they are bonding, Do not feed the dogs together at first.

The second thing that is required is that you must be sure to spend quality time with your established dog, and just with her. You may even need to increase the frequency of normal activities you would do with your established dog. This helps keep your her from feeling misplaced by the newcomer.

Finally, be sure and do some activities with both dogs. This encourages the dogs to do fun things together, as well as fostering pack cohesion and communication.

Remember, the general rule of thumb is to make sure that both dogs realise you are alpha. They will need to work out their own hierarchy among themselves, but they must understand that you are on top and you are in charge.

As a final thought I find that once two dogs have bonded they are much happier as a unit, having two dogs in the end becomes easier and it will give a new lease if life to the old girl.

best of luck

Doglistener

Hi doglistener
Thanx for all of your help, shes a jack russell cross so slightly bigger than normal, and the puppy will be arriving at 8 weeks old so will definately be smaller, i've tried to do some more activities with my current dog to help with her training because in the past she has been a little spoilt and so takes liberties occasionally. Thanx for the advice on getting a male puppy as opposed to female because i thought it was the other way round so i'm definately going to get a male puppy now.
Bethann

Hi Bethann

It just so happens that I have a Jack Russell who I adopted in 1988 from the Dog Rescue, we have worked out that he must be about 18/19 now but is in amazing shape, almost as sharp as he ever was!! He was always an aggressive little devil with other dogs, particularly large male dogs. We then got a female JR puppy from the Rescue and they got on like a house on fire, but sadly she had to be put to sleep last Christmas aged 14. He was so miserable after this that we decided to get another small dog and this time we rehomed a female Westie, not from the Rescue but from a good home.

Right from the word go the two dogs got on very well. There have been no fights. Lucy is of a much less aggressive nature than our JR (although he is much mellowed nowadays) although she is quite feisty. I must add that she is only three years old and very lively! Certainly no lap dog!

So I would say a JR and a Westie are a good combination.

Good luck!!

Sixpence

Can I ask why you are getting another pup so soon ?
My mum has a JRT boy who is a grump too - hates ALL other dogs , mildly tolerant of male children but doesnt like girls although he ADORES my two boys and is so affectionate with them (surprisingly) but I put this down to lack of proper socialisation when he was younger :(
Lel

Hi Sixpence
Thanx for that, thats one of the main things i,ve been wondering, loads of people have said that the two breeds won,t get on because they are both so feisty, so at least its not impossible!