Help for my rescued Jack Russell with behavioral problems?

Sometimes the problem is a simple communication gap between owner and dog.

If the dog was never properly socialized with other dogs or people then it can be very difficult to try to socialize them now. Since he's adopted you have no idea if he was abused and if the abuser was a woman, so that could be an issue right there.

However, like I said sometimes it's a communication problem that makes a dog take a long time to "learn" even basic commands. If you aren't teaching in a way the dog understands, or you flip flop on the commands which can confuse the dog it'll take longer than it has to be.

Do you use treats? Do you reward the behavior the instant that the dog does it that way they make the connection? Using simple one word commands or in the beginning actually maniuplating the dog into the position you require i.e. sit, down etc then immediately rewarding the behavior with the word like good sit then treat will help the dog make the association. JRT's are very intelligent so he shouldn't be having trouble picking up commands. I find picking up a book on tricks or positive training will help you see where you might be having problems with your method.

Also remember, terriers are bred for hunting and therefore are very "independent" thinkers, if you aren't giving your JRT a job, giving him plenty of exercise or stimulating his mind with games, puzzles tricks, obedience etc then he's going to do his own thing and you won't like what it is.

I suggest Victoria Stilwell over Cesar Millan, her techniques you can use whereas Cesar is very difficult to emulate. Watch It's Me Or The Dog on Animal Planet she deals with dogs that are dog or people aggressive and helps the owner to "retrain" the way a dog "views" certain objects. She helps make the dog associate the object of hatred as something pleasant such as other dogs or people. I suggest watching her as much as possible to help retrain your dogs association with things from fear to love.

Remember, there is no law that says people should be allowed to pet your dog so it's best if people ask to say I would prefer you didn't he's in training or just don't stop, but that should be no excuse for NOT walking him every day. If you have people with kids maybe you can work with them to change your dogs outlook about children to where they can pet him over time.

I'll assume you regularly take him to the vet to rule out any health problems, as those can cause a lot of behavioral problems.

I too rescued a Jack Russell a couple years ago with similar problems. Though he hated everybody else, not just a particular group. The best way I've found to deal with it is to put him on a leash when guests come over and talk to him to keep him calm around other people.

Also, ask that your guests ignore him and try not to pet him as he feels encroached upon when they do that. Once he can get a good feel for the fact that they're not there to invade his space he should start to open up a little more.

Also, if you try these techniques and he does growl or snip at somebody, don't yell at him because that'll only make it worse.

I had answered this but somehow deleted my dang answer.

Try what Victoria Stillwell does, have a female guest(not children unless you know the child will listen and not get all excited) walk by him with some really yummy treats(like shreaded cooked chicken) and just toss him a treat then repeat, repeat, repeat for a little bit. Then have another female do the same thing, and another and another, while having the same person come back and do it. Eventually they can get closer and closer and he'll associate women with yummy things. Eventually you can work on them crouching down, without looking at him, and tossing him a treat, then another and another then getting up and walking away. Eventually he'll be willing to take a treat from their hands. He may never be completely comfortable with women and they may not be able to pet him, but at least he won't be trying to attack them.

i'm terribly sorry, but as an experienced jack russell handler (my M-I-L breeds them) i must tell you that they aren't great under stress, as you have learned. they are as nervous as the vermin that they were bred to chase. abuse and neglect can ruin them.

a soft master can ruin them worse.

you must not allow this dog to get away with bad behavior on the excuse that he's a rescue dog.

they are difficult dogs to train, so don't be surprised when you have to work extra hard with him.

an outlet for some of his energy would be a benefit to him, do you have any sports he likes, like fetch, or do you run or jog regularly?

tire him out, and then work on his behavior.

don't be surprised if he never is completely trustworthy around other dogs or people he doesn't like, i've found that they aren't terribly bright and can't tell a good person from a bad one.

If he abused:

then he is doing it because he can't trust other people around him other than you,he only does this because his other owners treated him like mud on a shoe,it will be over a very long period until he trusts almost everybody again.

If he was neglected:

then he is making up all that time that he was never loved,and he is trying to show you his way of saying: 'I don't feel comfortable around these people,take me away please!'.

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hope this helped :-)

sure, haha completely standard!!!! I incredibly have 2 youthful jack russell terriers. very often after long walks, they arrive in the abode and value around chasing one yet another...and merely being loopy!! Plus, every time they have long gone swimming or dried off...they do the comparable element!