Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Jack Russell growling at toddler

16 replies

BatPrint · 16/10/2022 17:10

My PIL have 2 Jack Russells and I have 1 year old daughter. Whenever we go to visit, the youngest dog spends a lot of the time barking and growling at my daughter even when they are separated by a baby gate and the dog can get away. Dog has not been properly trained and not much is being done to try and resolve this. FIL thinks the dog and my daughter just need to spend more time together so they get used to each other but my husband and I don't see why we should subject our daughter to more barking and growling and feel nervous having her in the same room as our daughter. Just looking for any advice as we don't really want to take her round there anymore because of the dog. Just wondering what other people would do in this situation?

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 16/10/2022 17:16

The dog feels uncomfortable and potentially threatened by your dd (or possibly all young children). A growl is a warning. It doesn’t automatically mean aggression, usually an expression of fear and anxiety.
Your in laws are doing the right thing keeping them separate. If you are worried why don’t you invite them around to yours (without the dogs) instead?

nonstoprenovation · 16/10/2022 17:16

I wouldn't go, just because it's a small dog it shouldn't be allowed or accepted that it growls.

I have a reactive dog myself, but he's a great big breed, if friends were coming over with a small child he would be put out of sight in a closed room with lots to keep him busy and occupied and happy, not left to view the child behind bars and growl and wind himself up.

Do they seem bothered by this? As a JR can do some damage if left?

Suzi888 · 16/10/2022 17:20

I’m a dog lover, I have a dog. But I wouldn’t go. The dog clearly isn’t happy with having a child around.

People tolerate bad behaviour from smaller dogs, because they are small. If this were a Doberman/Rottweiler- you wouldn’t even post to ask or have a conversation about it because it would be crazy!

CaptainMyCaptain · 16/10/2022 17:23

MissyB1 · 16/10/2022 17:16

The dog feels uncomfortable and potentially threatened by your dd (or possibly all young children). A growl is a warning. It doesn’t automatically mean aggression, usually an expression of fear and anxiety.
Your in laws are doing the right thing keeping them separate. If you are worried why don’t you invite them around to yours (without the dogs) instead?

This. My JR used to be afraid of small children as she had experience of them being grabby. Once they reached a certain height (age 6 maybe) and more predictable she was fine. She's better now but I wouldn't leave her near a small child or let a small child near her.

Bestcatmum · 16/10/2022 17:27

FIL is a bloody idiot, keep the dogs away or your toddler will be savaged and bitten at some point.
The dog is clearly telling you it is not happy around your toddler. Listen to it.

liveforsummer · 16/10/2022 17:27

On the one hand JR's are very vocal dogs and can growl far quicker than other dogs might and it doesn't necessarily mean they are going to bite (I have a little growly one myself) however this is not something you need to test on this particular dog with your dc . I'd not go round unless they are prepared to shut the dog away

Unforgettablefire · 16/10/2022 17:42

Bestcatmum · 16/10/2022 17:27

FIL is a bloody idiot, keep the dogs away or your toddler will be savaged and bitten at some point.
The dog is clearly telling you it is not happy around your toddler. Listen to it.

This. The dog is vocalising it's fear or dislike for some reason and it's a warning. I hope the fil isn't stupid enough to try and stop the growling.

Original poster
BatPrint · 16/10/2022 18:24

Thanks for the replies. They are kept separated at my husband's insistence, not sure that would be the case if we weren't there which is one of the reasons why I don't want to leave her there. MIL seems to understand, FIL not so much as he keeps making comments about us coming round to integrate the dogs with our daughter. Glad to see we are not overreacting!

OP posts:
Unforgettablefire · 16/10/2022 18:32

BatPrint · 16/10/2022 18:24

Thanks for the replies. They are kept separated at my husband's insistence, not sure that would be the case if we weren't there which is one of the reasons why I don't want to leave her there. MIL seems to understand, FIL not so much as he keeps making comments about us coming round to integrate the dogs with our daughter. Glad to see we are not overreacting!

No definitely not overreacting. Your fil sounds like he hasn't a clue, an adult would think twice about going near a dog that's growling so you wouldn't want kids around them.

Rocketclub · 16/10/2022 18:36

Suzi888 · 16/10/2022 17:20

I’m a dog lover, I have a dog. But I wouldn’t go. The dog clearly isn’t happy with having a child around.

People tolerate bad behaviour from smaller dogs, because they are small. If this were a Doberman/Rottweiler- you wouldn’t even post to ask or have a conversation about it because it would be crazy!

I was bitten by a Jack Russell who ‘just needed to get used to me’ 17 stitches

there was a gate too - little bugger got over it 😡

LightDrizzle · 16/10/2022 18:41

I would still take DD round if there is a room you can be in that isn’t adjacent to the baby gate.

I would NEVER leave her there with them in case FIL decides to introduce them himself.

The dog is clearly communicating either it’s own discomfort, or aggression towards your daughter and he needs to be listened to. I hope FIL doesn’t tell him off when he growls because the last thing you want to do is inhibit the growl that would almost certainly precede a bite or attack, it renders the poor dog much more dangerous as it may well learn not to warn you.

Jack Russell’s are amazing little characters but true terriers and have a strong bite and a hold and shake instinct as they are ratters and rats can do a lot of damage themselves of not dispatched quickly.

My dad had a large concave scar on his calf from when he exited a showman’s wagon holding baby me. The owner’s Jack Russell bit him and shook and tore a chunk of flesh away, dad was hampered because he had me in his arms and was coming down the metal steps. He was wearing trousers.

Imagine if it had of been a toddler’s cheek or nose ☹️

lannistunut · 16/10/2022 18:41

Do not ignore the dog's warning signs and never leave your children there as your FIL is being very foolish.

I know someone who was bitten by a small dog - not a life-threatening attack maybe, but very serious and multiple surgeries followed.

dingbat56 · 16/10/2022 18:47

my grand Jack Russell went for me aged 3 .. trust your gut ! I’m still wary of dogs decades later

RandomMess · 16/10/2022 18:53

My JRT is frightened of young children. If I had visitors she would be put away in another room to keep everyone's stress levels down.

Your FIL needs to wake up and put the dogs in another room as well using them stair gate.

2bazookas · 16/10/2022 19:06

That JR would never be in the same room as my 1 yr old baby.
It sees her as potential prey, is constantly threatening to attack ; and one day it will. Jack Russels can kill a baby in seconds, and they have.

google "children killed by jack russel"; you'll be horrified.

They have a high prey drive and a prevalent instinct to hunt and kill small animals.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page