JRT Lunging at one of my children.

[Totsntantrums]

I have 5 children but this problem only applies to one of my children.

When we first got our JRT he would constantly hump my DS(7) DS is the quietest child of all my children and the less interested in the dog. I had the dog castrated as soon as I could and the humping stopped. I thought as it was only one child that the dog was displaying dominant behaviour but as it stopped was not worried. I have 2 toddlers also but the dog never acted the same with them or my older children.

That was 18 months ago and Dog is now 2. Just recently he has been lunging and snapping at the same child. Everytime child walks into the room he runs at him, barks and snaps at his heels, if DS sits on sofa, the dog will lung and snap at him. He does not growl it is a lunge and snap.

Nothing has happened to cause this. I never leave any of them unattended with the dog (he follows me everywhere) and DS is the only one who does not play with the dog so he has not hurt him during play.

It seems to be dominant behaviour over my son and only him but I have no idea how to correct it.

So I have tried encouraging dominance with my DS using treat training. The dog seems more than happy to respond to DS’s commands when there is a treat involved but the situation seems to be getting worse.

You need to put a stop to this straight away or unfortunately its only going to carry or or grt worse. Spray something at him that is strong , but wont harm him, everytime he snaps at your son. Or maybe a few obedience classes with said child to get some expert advice.

*strong smelling

I would seek individual one on one training advice from a qualified registered trainer asap before one of those snaps becomes a bite. JRT's are feisty things and do need good boundaries. You need to someone to observe this behaviour, they are likely to be able to spot subtle body language signals you may be missing.

I wouldn't recommend negative training devices such as spraying something at the dog personally. It could make the situation worse, with the dog associating this bad thing happening every time he goes near your son.

Dominance theory is a load of hokum that was disproven yonks ago, so step away from that.

This is obviously way beyond a minor issue. I would get in a good behaviourist immediately who can observe the behaviour and work with you, your DS and the dog in your home setting.

Find a decent behaviours who doesn't believe in dominance theory