My dog reacts to Jack Russels when she's on lead and I think it's my fault

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Off lead no problem they'll do the bum sniff dance and play together quite happily.

ON though is awful. Every time we pass one she rears up, barks loudly, tries to get to it BUT she only does it when she's with me.

I was attacked one a JR about 10 years ago and I can still feel myself still tensing up when I see one. It was an A&E job and I've still got the scar. She's clearly reacting to my reaction - logically I know that but I don't know how to stop it.

It's getting a bit embarrassing as there's a lovely man with a presumably lovely JR who lives near us and every time we pass it on the streets my dog starts up. He must think she's the most vicious dog in town.

There used to be a man she would always bark at but since we started to stop for a chat and she got more used to him it's been fine... but what on earth do I do about the JRs - it's obviously MY problem she's picking up on in some way

Your dog is undoubtedly picking up on your fears. Try and keep your lead loose (be conscious of tightening it up when you see a JR), ensure your dog is walking slightly behind you (we need to advocate for our dogs) stand up straight, be bold and lead your dog with confidence. Also try and keep a good distance from the JR and give your dog space to pass confidently. Nearly all aggression is driven by fear. Often dogs are better off lead, as they have the opportunity for flight. In a fight or flight situation most would rather run away (flight), therefore they are more tense when leashed as they can't run if they want to.
I'm not a dog trainer but canine behaviour has been my hobby for 20yrs. Good luck!

Thank you @abracadabra1980 I really appreciate your help.

I have to keep her on lead on the pavement which is unfortunately where we normally encounter the JR. However I will try to walk tall and bold.

I think people must think I'm pathetic. They are hardly large intimidating dogs but when I still have an index finger that has intermittent numbness and pain with a visible scar after 10 years it's quite hard to forget.

Perhaps I should find someone locally with a well behaved JR I can spend some time with - aversion therapy if you like
. I love dogs so I really feel sad that I tense up like this around one particular breed.

I managed to give my dog an entirely unreasonable fear from scratch - it is possible!

But some dogs are also a bit breed selective. Mine has two breeds he absolutely hates, at least one of which has never done anything to deserve it!

Being more snappy on lead is also common; think fight vs flight responses. Off lead they can leg it if they felt the need, on lead they know full well they haven't got that choice, so they opt for the fight.

Being more snappy on lead is also common; think fight vs flight responses. Off lead they can leg it if they felt the need, on lead they know full well they haven't got that choice, so they opt for the fight.

I think this sums it up nicely. One of my first dogs was a nightmare - off the lead he would run away and on the lead he tried to start a fight with every dog he saw.

Most dogs are, in all honesty, quite nervous on the lead - when you actually start paying attention to their body language you quickly realise how many aren't that balanced and stable.

Honestly, OP, if it's only on the lead and you're keeping your distance, try not to worry too much. Ultimately she will be picking it up from you and you're not going to magically be able to fix your worries. I'd be the same in your place. But it's not the end of the world - just a bit embarrassing!

Just to add to my earlier post OP, one of my dogs was (attempted to be) attacked by a neighbours Border Collie as it passed my front (gated but with see though iron railings) garden. I know the Border Collie and I know it has been previously abused and the owner has worked tirelessly to help it, but he’s not really managed to crack the problem. I do have sympathy. He normally avoids all other dogs, however he didn’t see my dog in the garden and walked past. His dog went beserk. Snarling and teeth bared. Lips pulled right back. My (young dog) at the time, literally turned into a wolf on her own doorstep, trying to defend herself (and possibly me)?
I didn’t see him again for a year, when again, a similar thing happened (we didn’t see each other) as I was unloading my car in the dark. The next thing that happened was my dog pushing past me at my gate, chasing him up the street and biting his dog. She has NEVER pushed past me like that before. She had remembered that dog and even if I drive past them, she may not see them but she picks up his scent - and starts barking and behaving in a really agitated manner.
The point of that story is to tell you this; she doesn’t hate all Border Collies, just that one. She can smell him a mile off with her doggy nose-and before I even spot him. One of her favourite playmates is an identical looking BC to the one who tried to attack her. She also shows no reaction to any other Border Collie either. They differentiate by scent-not breed- in my humble opinion; my dog trainer also agrees with this. So don’t fear EVERY Jack Russell! Hope that makes sense.

So this morning we passed a JR. I thought about what @abracadabra1980 said and when I saw it coming started to breathe deeply and try to relax. I tried to look confident (even though I wasn't) and moved my dog to my side so I was between her and JR. I slackened the lead a bit - I realised that when stressed I'd been tightening it which probably exacerbated the fight bit of flight or fight but kept my other hand very close in case she got stressed.

Amazingly all she did was pull and make some small barky noises rather than full scale barking. This time she didn't rear up. She certainly reacted and I did have to take the lead with both hands as she pulled but it was better than usual especially as the JR was barking and straining on its own lead with the owner shouting "it's friendly don't worry"

Afterwards I gave her a fuss and a small treat. Hoping that next time it will be a little bit better again.

Here's my beautiful dog for those that like a nice dog photo

We had a Labrador which had an irrational hatred of Jack Russels

Beautiful placid dog most of the time but see a JRT and she would lose her mind