My JRT has bitten my DD

[BittenDD]

My JRT is 7 and has always hurled himself against the front door when I leave. I have bottles and cutlery in a bag hung from the door as a noise deterrent to stop him scrabbling the carpet. Once gone he settles.

This is regardless of why I'm leaving e.g. nipping out to the bins/shop/work

Lately this behaviour has extended to inner doors when anyone leaves. Snarling angry temper tantrum is how I would describe it.

If it's me leaving I can order him back to get out of the door. If others leave, he is told to go to bed. (This is not always consistent because sometimes with DC it's chaos, with them forgetting stuff and coming back for it or opening door unexpectedly and he makes a bid for freedom.....gets shouted at to recall him etc but it is the normal plan)

Today DD left (she's 18) and he did his normal ferocious temper tantrum (I was indoors in the kitchen and about to come out and recall him to bed as soon as I heard him start) but he bit her calf breaking the skin. She left in tears.

I'm pretty sure a behaviourist is the answer and can't afford one. I'm sure you will slate me and tell me I shouldn't have a dog if I can't afford one but recent redundancy/divorce means I'm strapped for cash.

I did look up behaviourists anyway but the nearest is 50 miles away!!! I don't have a car and can't face a bus journey/cost etc

Help :(

You can train this if you have the time to. It sounds like speration anxiety to me.

How often is he left and how much exercise does he get? There is no need to name change btw, us doghouse folk are fine with these threads.

It's the my dog has done something wrong so I am selling him to unsuitable couple number one. Please give me sympathy threads that kick off. You'll be fine. We'll help you .

There is never ever anything wrong in asking for advice when you need it

As a behaviourist I would look at two things first.

One I would want him checked out at the vets - I am sure he is fine but just in case.

Two I would look at his food - some food has additives that can turn even the most chilled dog into a snarling loon.

Then you need to look at his behaviour. As it has been going on for a while I guess it is now learned behaviour - when someone leaves the room I go into major crazy mode.

Does he like treats - what I would do is when I leave the room throw a really yummy treat away from the door and then leave. Hopefully he will be hunting for the treat and not be so aware you are leaving - then I would come back into the room immediately.

If this works I would gently and very slowly build up the time I stay out of the room.

If this doesn't work ask again there is always a plan b, c, d, e, f in dog training

Is he insured?

Many insurance policies include an amount for behaviourist referrals.

I have always had rescue dogs with behavioural issues and always kept and trained through thick and thin. This is a new issue to me though and the dog is my first 'non rescue' (Well he was rehoused from someone who didn't like his hair shedding)

He's otherwise loving and dotes on me. Tolerant of DC. A bit anxious with men and has started being very scared and growling at them.

He gets a walk in morning of about 1-2 miles (varies)
He gets a walk in the evening of about 30-60 mins.
Mid day he gets let out (I used to work) and am sticking to routine in order he's ok with returning to it.

The divorce was two yrs ago and financially has affected me but otherwise not (now)

The redundancy has not changed lifestyle much because I worked from home

Insurance is about to be renewed. I'll investigate behaviourist costs. Vet visit planned.
Food unchanged (Bakers)
Only eats food when I come home. Food down all the time and ignored as are treats

Yay Minimu is back. She'll help you. I have a snarling, snapping terrier. When his behaviour escalates the first thing I check is whether he is getting the right amount of exercise. Lately this has been no because I have been working extra shifts, which is probably what is adding to the mini doggy warfare we have going on at the moment.

I had to think of a way to get him more exercise in a shorter amount of time. We went running yesterday both me and the terrier were much clamer and sleepier last night and we are both stiff this morning

Change the food. Bakers is the food of the devil. It's seriously bad. Burns and Wainwrights are good, cheapish alternatives. PAH sometimes have offers on Wainwrights. Skinners is good too.

Off to walk him but I will be back and reading!

(food about to run out -I'll swop)

More exercise is always a good idea, physical exercise is great but also more training keeps their brains active.

I would not leave food out 24/7. Food should be put down for 10 minutes, anything not eaten should be removed till the next day. If he does not want to eat, he doesn't have to - healthy dogs do not starve themselves to death.

Food is by far the best reward for training although some dogs are not interested. Have you tried really nice food, e.g. cheese, sausage, tripe? If really not interested in food, is he interested in squeekie or other toys?

If you can find something to motivate him and interest him, start training and rewarding at one end of the room, ideally with his back to the door, and ask your training accomplice to go to the door. Keep attracting his attention through the training and the more he is quiet and pays you attention the more you reward. If he ignores you and runs to the door your accomplice should totally ignore him (fold arms, turn back on dog, stand still) until he relaxes or pays you attention again. Repeat ad nauseum!

For a quick fix (not long term) put up child gates so the dog cannot get to the door in the first place.

yes definately change his food - it will take about 6 -12 weeks to see a difference but you will.

Re exercise it is good to have a tired dog but do not over stimulate. Terriers are on alert all the time and sometimes exercise can wind them up. So you will need to find a happy medium. What you give him at the moment sounds great to me.

At home things to tire him out without getting him too hyper are tracking a trail to find things, hiding objects and letting him sniff them out etc.