Terrier snapping at toddler

[stinkypants]

Hi,
I have read previous posts on this subject and read lots of conflicting advice. I couldn't find any posts that were quite what my experience is, though, so if anyone has the time to read this i would be very grateful for any thoughts.
Jack Russell terrier is 7 yrs old (Bob).
About 5 years ago he was chasing something in the garden, a rat or small animal, in the dark one evening. My husband tried to get him to come back indoors but he wouldn't. In the end my husband tried to pull him by the collar (bad idea I know, although until this point we'd had no reason to think it would be a problem) and he turned on him and bit him hard on the hand. It didn't need stitches or medical attention but was a circular bite which did break the skin and bleed, and was very bruised and sore.
Since then we have both been very wary of him. I'm able to control him well with my voice and body language but husband is a bit too soft I think.
When it is just me and the children (5 and 3) I am fairly relaxed but watching carefully and always shut dogs away (we have another female terrier 6 yrs old) if I need to go upstairs.
When my husband is around, Bob guards him. If children approach he can be defensive.
He gets very stressed when children get too close to him - his tail goes down and he sometimes snaps the air as a warning. We make sure that children and parents are well aware and quite often I just shut him away to keep it simple. However, some of our friends have dogs too and understand so they watch too and don't mind if he is out. However, in the past week he has snapped at 2 children and actually made contact with skin. He didn't do it hard and no bruising or bleeding occurred.
My husband is happy to continue as we are and thinks it is no big deal.
I am always nervous though about what might happen next.
I know we should go through the behavioural experts but at the moment it is financially difficult - (or maybe we have consulted quite pricey ones) we have looked into it before and read up on the subject.
Does anyone know what they would do - are there some simple techniques we could be doing now to get us started? It troubles me that we tread on eggshells with him because we know his triggers, but perhaps we should be desensitising him from these triggers instead? e.g. if a child was to put its arms around him he would almost certainly snap at them.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks for reading.

[Lilcamper]

To me it sounds like the children need teaching more than the dog. He is telling you he isn't comfortable with certain things. A child should never be allowed to throw their arms round the neck of a dog that doesn't like it. He should never be left unsupervised around the children and the children should be taught to never approach him, any contact must be through the dog's choice, not theirs.

[Rosa]

Until you get answers keep him away from children . If he snapped at my child and I haddn't been aware of this trait I would be seriously angry.

[mrslaughan]

what was it that made him snap at the two children in the last week? Lilcamper has said children shouldn't throw there arms around his neck - but you seem to know that......

Honestly to truly get to the bottom of this and what you can do, I would think that you need to get a trained professional into observe and advise.

[idirdog]

As you have seen from other similar threads on here you will get emotional and uneducated answers.

You NEED to see a professional Behaviourist who can assess your dog in RL. It may cost money but it will save heartache and a lot of stress for you and the dog. You need a clear treatment plan from a Professional who has seen the situation in real life. Minor difference can make all the difference to your dog and can have amazing results. I honestly would not faff about getting 10's of different opinions from well meaning but not qualified people.

Contact APDT or APBC

[Whoknowswhocares]

I don't think you can afford NOT to consult a professional.
Please find the funds from somewhere to at least have one consultation, so that someone trained and knowledgable can set you on the right path.

The road you are currently travelling sounds like it will only lead to your dog biting a child. It is not fair on him to ignore his cries for intervention and not fair on the child who ultimately gets bitten

[Rosa]

Idirdog - my reaction is neither emotional or undeducated . i hope the Op gets answers.
A horse rider has a jacket saying 'young horse please slow' I act accordingly. - or a red bow on it s tail - I keep away from its rear.
A dog owner has its dog on a lead and says ' please keep your children away from my dog ' I would do just that.
Allowing children to play near a dog which at the moment has an unsolved problem is asking for trouble.

[OnaPromise]

Rosa, I don't see where Idirdog said anything about your response? I think she was talking about similar threads where people say the dog be pts regardless.

I agree that you should prioritise finding the money for professional assessment asap.

[idirdog]

Rosa I did not mean you - I meant other threads on a similar subject, sorry if I did not make that clear

[Rosa]

Thanks- I jumped to the conclusion as i was the only one who made a non 'dog' comment.

[TillyTotter1]

Kid's fault. Dog's fault. Irrelevant. I am a massive dog lover and they are my babies (before you ask, no I don't have kids, I joined MN when I was PG but had a SB. Stuck around for the craic :p).

Both are well know to be extremely affectionate, have never shown any signs of annoyance to anyone and are usually quite placid. But they are put outside whenever there are children in the house. You can never fully trust any animal and it's not worth the risk. Get rid

[Lora1982]

Ive got a similar problem, I contacted two behaviour profeshes this week, one said 350-450 for a year and one said 120 and all he needs is 3 hrs. The first company said my dog was thinking he's one of the adults and wants to train the baby... the second said 'he needs a leader' I will be paying someone and its most likely going to be the latter because im on mat leave and cant afford 350.

For now I dont let him in half the living room if the babys on the floor and ive taken to making sure I walk him with the baby and pushchair in front. In the small hope it helps before I can pay someone!

Good luck

[Lilcamper]

I would run away from anyone that says a dog needs a leader, very fast and very far and also anyone who says they can solve a behavioural issue in 3 hrs. Please find a decent behaviourist from here APBC

[CherryColl1ns]

Well call me uneducated and emotional but to keep a dog that you know bites when you have children is insane.