Veronica M

A friend of the family has a 15 year old jack russell who has always been very friendly towards his owner until recently. A few months ago she broke her leg and couldn't take him for walks, so she had friends come once a day to walk the dog for her, and she would let it out into the yard at night for the last pee before bed (she would have to pick him up and carry him to the fenced in yard). The dog would also get a coat put on him for his daily walks.

Since she has recovered, the friends no longer come to walk the dog because she can do it. When she goes to put on his coat, he reacts aggressively towards her, and has snapped and nipped her a couple times. He would run to his crate and not allow her to take him out. At night, he does not let her pick him up anymore to put him in the yard. When they eventually get out for the walk (she has resorted to putting on gloves to get the coat and leash on, which I told her just makes the situation worse), the dog allows her to pick him up, no problem. He just doesn't let her pick him up or put on his coat inside the house. He is fine having other people pick him up, and put on his coat, both inside and outside; it's just her that he has a problem with.

She says he is not food motivated, and doesn't really like any toys, so she can't use that to recondition him to "like" her again.

A few days ago he bit her and just barely broke the skin, and he is now being quarantined at the vet clinic (despite having rabies and all vaccines up to date) until Tuesday, when he is scheduled to be euthanized.

I promised her I would see if I can find out what happened, and if anything can be done.

Apparently there are no health issues (he's as healthy as a 15 year old dog can be).

My theory is that, in her incapacitated state, he saw that she was vulnerable, and so he took over the dominant role in the house. How can she reestablish dominance if she is now afraid of him, and he is not food or toy motivated? Could this be age-related senility?

Is euthanasia the best option?

Please, any feedback is appreciated.

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