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Original poster

Panicking - pregnancy and dog

91 replies

Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 21:49

I am 4 months pregnant and have a 1 year old Jack Russell. He's lovely 70% of the time but has always been prone to nipping and snarling. Initially we put it down to being a puppy but now I'm not so sure. He has been treated like a king. We did everything right - puppy classes, training at home. His needs have always been put first and quite right too.

I am 4 months pregnant with our first baby and I always suspected that he 'knew' almost Immediately. He has become increasingly aggressive towards me. He always preferred me - I put this down to how much time I spent with him (I work from home for example). He can be quite vile towards me know.

Obviously with our impending arrival, I'm extremely worried. Is this common? I am worried he'll hate the baby and be aggressive towards him. Does anyone have experience of advice?

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Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 21:50

Pls excuse typos, this phone is impossible.

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NewBrian · 09/01/2018 21:52

Nipping and snarling over what?

lookingforthecorkscrew · 09/01/2018 21:55

I think you’re right to be concerned. If the aggression continues it’s definitely worth speaking to your vet. FWIW when I had a paper round as a teenager I was attacked by two dogs - both jack russells. They seem to be quite a nippy breed.

ObiJuanKenobi · 09/01/2018 21:59

You're right to be concerned, you can never be 100% sure about any dog but if the owner says he's lovely 70% of the time I wouldn't have him near my children. Talk to your vet or trainer for advice.

Hoppinggreen · 09/01/2018 21:59

How is he “treated like a king”? And his needs being put first?
He should be treated like a dog and the needs of all of you are equal
Has he been spoiled?
Jack Russell can be challenging and while I don’t subscribe to pack theory dogs should not be allowed to rule the roost

KarmaStar · 09/01/2018 22:06

Hi OP
Congratulations on your impending birth.
I love to read that people put their dogs welfare first.Smile
However it sounds like he has decided he is the boss in your house and he needs to learn that he is not.
The little things seem,unimportant but to a dog,it's very important,so here's a few things you can do(excuse any presumptions on my part please)
If when he comes to you for attention ignore him.
Don't allow him on the furniture
Eat before he does
Walk through doors before he does
He needs to see you as pack leader.
This will mean to him that you are the boss,you will look after him so he doesn't have to worry about being aggressive and protective,he will be happier and feel more secure.being top dog means a lot of responsibility and that can be too much pressure for some dogs.
Make him sleep downstairs,not upstairs on your bed (again sorry if I'm assuming things,no offence).
Give him attention on your terms,so as I put earlier,if he comes for attention blank him.when he has gone away call him back,fuss for a bit then send him to sit down.
Clicker training is excellent.very easy.will reinforce the bond between you and get him looking to you for direction.
Books like 'its me or the dog 'can help.
Also if you're really worried still your vet can give you details of a good animal behaviour trainer.
I really hope you can put your lovely dog on the right track.good luck🐕

Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:07

Good questions, let me clarify..

  • snarling. For example, if he's sat next to me (he likes cuddling up on the sofa) and I stroke him (which he likes) he snarls and sometimes nips. Another example: I played ball with him this morning and threw the ball, he turned round and snarled and bit my leg. When we say "no" firmly, he snarls and shows his teeth
  • treated like a king - I guess I mean that he was never left as a baby, we still only leave him a max of 2 hours. He comes places with us, he's never been treated aggressively, he is well
Looked after (very comfy Bed inside a 'den' crate), lots of toys, attention. I suppose I worded it wrong but I don't think he has a bad life! He's not been spoiled to be honest, just treated well if that makes sense.
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Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:08

Also he's started really nipping and biting feet and hands, just like he did when he was a pup. My hands are constantly shredded

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EverythingIsAwwwwsome · 09/01/2018 22:10

Not much experience of dogs but I'd think you were very wise to be wary. I remember there was a baby in the paper who died when attacked by a Jack Russel. Maybe a chat with a vet?

Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:10

And this probably sounds odd but he gives me dirty looks! I swear to god!! His behaviour is definitely different since I became pg and is getting progressively worse. Is this behaviour typical of a 1 year old?

My stepmum has a JR who is so unlike the average JR, total lapdog and I'd trust him with my life. He is the reason we got one!

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Wolfiefan · 09/01/2018 22:12

You need help from a proper behaviourist. First you need a vet check to rule out any pain.
Please ignore the above mention of having to eat first and being a pack leader. Pack theory has been completely debunked. It's rubbish.
For now has he got a safe space to retreat to?
Can you avoid any of the things that trigger the behaviour? So don't have him on the sofa.
Saying a stern no means nothing to a dog. You need to focus on getting the behaviour you do want.

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 09/01/2018 22:13

My sister in laws spaniel hated me when I was pregnant and went to bite me she would sit and snarl at me ! Once I'd had dad she was fine never happened again and has never bothered children

GlitterUnicornsAndAllThatJazz · 09/01/2018 22:13

Could it be something medical? Could he be in pain?

Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:14

Thanks - he has a crate underneath a table in a private corner of the kitchen (v large kitchen) and it has a blanket draped over it so it's dark as well as a crate cover

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Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:15

Thanks - that's reassuring!

I don't think he's in any pain, happily leaps around and rolls about

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Tinysarah1985 · 09/01/2018 22:16

I would def speak to the vet and think about some more training. It could also be your homone changes that are making him worse. When i was pg with my daughter, my dog (doberman) was my shadow for the whole 9 months. Never left my side. Even when i needed a wee. He never snarled or snapped. As previous posters have said I would be worried as he is ok 70% of time.

Wolfiefan · 09/01/2018 22:18

You definitely need a vet check and they could also recommend a behaviourist. You want someone who does reward based and positive training.
You have a teenager pushing the boundaries. Unfortunately training doesn't end once puppy classes are over!
How much exercise does the dog get?

yorkshireyummymummy · 09/01/2018 22:22

Jack Russell’s - in my experience ( dont flame me if you disagree. This is MY experience!) don’t mix well with babies and children. I find that small dogs can be very jealous and are not conducive to having a child introduced to the household.
There are many things which worry me in your OP devastated.
“Prone to nipping and snarling”
“Increasingly aggressive”
“Quite vile towards me now”
BUT the thing that jumps out at me most is that “he has been treated like a king” and “his needs have always been put first and quite right too”. THIS is where you have made your mistake. He is a dog and you have put him first in the pecking order in your home. No decent dog trainer would EVER EVER tell you to do this.
He now thinks he runs the roost and he is showing his utter fury and displeasure at you being pregnant by being “aggressive” and “vile” towards you. Answer this honestly- how do you think he will behave with the baby who takes away his number one status in the House? And don’t think that you can keep them seperate. The dog will only become worse.
The only answer is to re home him I’m afraid. And you know this because of your username.
You haven’t got enough time to re train him.and I don’t think you could do it anyway or keep it up.
And I’m awafully sorry to say this but it’s not just the dog who needs training- you need training before you get another dog.
I’ve seen so many dogs - especially jacks, small terriers, toy dogs[ like poodles] ruined by owners who do as you have done and spoil them and give them number one position in the household. It NEVER works.
You should re home this dog ASAP with somebody who has lots of experience with Jacks and can maybe train him to be a well behaved dog who knows his position in the house is below the humans he shares with.
Then, enjoy your baby and maybe in a few years consider getting a dog when you have read up properly about what i5 takes to be a responsible owner because you really haven’t done this dog any favours at all by treating him like a king. He’s not a king- he’s a bloody dog!!!
I genuinely feel that you will be utterly broken hearted by having to get rid of your dog but I think you would feel a lot more broken hearted if he attacks your baby and does god knows what damage to your child.

Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:23

So 70% I obviously considered to be poor? I have had dogs growing up (never my own) and don’t recall the puppy stage. He is walked for one hour a day at lunchtime and this always seems enough if I’m honest. He’s not destructive in the house and doesn’t seem bored. He has been neutered too - i did hope this would calm his aggression.

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Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:27

Yorkshire - thanks for your comments. I perhaps described our situation wrong - I loosely used the term ‘treated like a king’ - perhaps in contrast to dogs who are stuck outside in an outside kennel and not part of family life. I haven’t treated him like a human baby I can assure you. We had 5 Jack Russells growing up and none of them confirmed to the “nasty JR”
Stereotype. He seems to have a tiny bit of the devil in him but I do love him

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Partypopper123 · 09/01/2018 22:29

I wouldn't allow a dog that behaved like that anywhere near a baby.

Barmymammy · 09/01/2018 22:33

Much more training required. Your dog is out of control and urgent action is required.

Original poster
Devastatedaboutourdog · 09/01/2018 22:35

Prior to getting pregnant his recall was quite good (for a JR), he would sit, lie down, stay and lift his paw etc. He doesn’t do any of this now! Friend who is a vet nurse (forgot to mention this earlier) thought it was due to pregnancy

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Ellapaella · 09/01/2018 22:35

Seek professional advice ASAP. There is a good FB group that can recommend someone in your area - I'll find the link and post it here

Ellapaella · 09/01/2018 22:37

info27073.wixsite.com/dogtrainingadvice