My dog is displaying aggressive behaviour

[levisham2]

Can anybody help, I recently adopted a little Jack Russell dog from Animal Aid, he is 3 years old and he is lovely apart from one quite serious problem, he shows aggression to some dogs, but more worryingly he shows aggression to some people, he runs at them barking, he does not attempt to bite them and it is not all the time just now and then, has anyone got any idea why he does this or how I can stop him doing this?

[wildwood]

To his mind he has found someone (you) that includes him into the pack and he is just making sure that no one is going to break this up (again????).

You need to take him to schooling which, I'm sure, you'll enjoy as well.

Mind, if he bites anyone you will probably loose him so proper socialising essential.

[Ice.Maiden]

I agree with wildwood. You don't know the history of this little dog though, so it's imperative that you take him to proper schooling classes, where they'll be able to help you - and him. Good luck.

[charlie8]

From what i have seen on the animal progames it is quite common for owners to distract the dog as this behaviour starts with {example} a jar of coins that you should rattle. There are lots os sites to give you help but one to one training with an expert is probably the best. Your vet would know of such people but do make sure that they are fully qualified and recognised by such organisations. Good luck and i am so pleased that you got a resue dog.

[levisham2]

Wildwood, Ice.Maiden and Charlie8, Thanks so much for your answers, I think I will take him to some classes and the jar of coins is a good idea, I do remember seeing this on television. He is such a good little dog in every other way, he's lovely. I wish Caesar the Dog Whisperer lived in Leicester! Once again thanks.

[lankeela]

I would contact the rescue where you got him from and ask them to help you. This is a serious problem and probably why he was in rescue in the first place. You cannot take a chance that he will not bite someone, and in any case dogs do not have to bite to be reported, they only have to frighten someone or make them think they are going to bite.

[doglady]

Just to point out, you really shouldn't use a rattle bottle (jar of coins, bottle of stones, anything like that) unless you know how to do it properly. Otherwise you could end up reinforcing the wrong thing and making your dog worse.