Hope there is someone out there who can help with my problem.  My new partner of a year has a Jack Russell, Oscar 2.5 years old & castrated, I have 2 GSP's, Bronwyn 5 years old spade & Ellis 4 years old and fully intact.

Now we have a problem, Oscar is very very jealous, but it would seem only where Ellis is concerned.  Oscar will play with Bronwyn constantly with no problems, but with Ellis, all he does is have a go at him, and it's quite nasty, there certainly isn't any playing with those two, and I'm not sure how much more I can take as this goes on all day long, every little thing Oscar snaps or bites Ellis.  Sometimes I wish Ellis would snap back then that might just stop things, but he won't, he's too soft for his own good.

It really gets me down because I can't show any affection, or playing with Ellis cause Oscar is in there straight away snapping and biting.

At the moment the vet isn't too keen on having Ellis castrated because of his health, and anyway, would it actually do any good?

I know the problem lies with him being spoilt rotten when he was younger, and there has not been any discipline involved at all.  (In Oscar that is)

Any suggestions are welcome please, cause at the moment I really don't like this little dog.

Thanks guys

Juliet

Castration wont stop behaviours but it sometimes helps alleviate them a bit.

You need to trin your dog to learn to share or maybe they are sorting out who is top dog still.

If its a real problem then behavourial classes would be a good choice.

The problem is Oscars so that is the dog that needs sorting.

He needs to learn that his unacceptable behaviour to Ellis will have negative consequences.  If he starts when you show Ellis attention then put him out of the room.  In half a minute invite him back and ask him to perform some behaviour for which you can reward him.

Next you want to be able to distract him from badgering Ellis.  When he goes to have a snarl or in your face session with Ellis call him to you get a sit or what have you and give him a tasty treat.

This could then progress to an ah ah when he looks like starting on Ellis, and you can then give a command of leave when he shows you attention, and again call him to you for a treat.

The whole idea is to change his view of Ellis, that when Ellis is around something pleasant occurs for him.

Don't worry about sharing yet, and avoid petting Ellis when Oscar is in the same room.

Once Oscar's association with Ellis is more positive then you can slowly get the sharing bit in have one sit either side and treat them both for sits or downs, so that Oscar feels he is still in a win win situation even if Ellis is getting treats too.

Ah, good advice, many thanks, I will try this straight away and see how we get on.

Thank you.

Let us know how you get on.