My own dog is keeps growling at me and snapped at me once. Any ideas to help me resolve this problem?

So the dog lives in a home with no rules, no expectations, and an unlimited supply of foods. Occasionally one of the humans gets his nose in a snit and she gets struck a few times. About once a month another of the humans sticks her in a tub and gets her wet. She shows this human how angry she is to be handled by snarling and snapping. She probably won’t snap at the other human because she never knows what might set him off.

Don’t you have any rules of behavior, chores, requirements for living in the home? Can you go in and out whenever you please, do nothing or watch TV? Never need to wash a dish or vacuum a floor? Would you even feel a part of the family?

1. Feeding. Mealtime comes twice a day and only lasts for 15 minutes. Mealtimes are at the same times every day. Food is a good quality dog kibble with a little warm water. Her bowl is set down in a convenient spot, such as the kitchen floor. It is removed in 15 minutes. She does not get unlimited snacks. This is a dog not a cow. Dogs do not braze or browse all day. A small treat is okay as a reward for a behavior, such as an immediately sit when commanded to Sit.

2. Exercise. A dog does not get proper exercise during trips outside to potty. She should be taking a fast trot around the neighborhood for at least 30 minutes every day. Not only will her health improve but so will her mind. Also, dogs enjoy being with people who do things with them. Any moron can pop a treat into her mouth, cats call those people “staff”. A true owner has a relationship with the dog and does things with her.

3. Training. A dog has more brains than a rug. Why some people don’t believe they are capable of thinking I’ll never understand. A happy dog has something to think about. Obedience training gives her something to think about and something to do that can earn her praise. This also falls under ‘doing something’ with her. Find a trainer by referrals from her vet’s office, pet supply stores, and feed stores. Sign up for obedience classes and attend.

4. House training. Yelling, hitting, or throwing the dog outside after an accident is stupid. The dog learns nothing and the human thinks the dog is dumb or mean or vindictive. Stupid human. The dog should be crated at night or confined to a small room with a baby gate. Put her bed in the room. Every spot where she has ever peed needs to cleaned with a commercial product that removes all traces of urine smell. Vinegar is also known to remove the odor but it may damage the floor so test it first. She will go back to the spots where she can smell urine. When you are gone she can be in the small room behind the baby gate or in an exercise pen. She should not be left alone for more than 5 or 6 hours without a potty break. Have someone come in and let her out. Expecting her to hold it for longer is just cruel.

5. Text. Buy a copy of “Puppies for Dummies”. It has some good information that you can use now, even though she is older. Just adapt it for her age.

We must realize that dogs growl for many reasons. Dogs can sense when something is wrong or if a person isn't what they appear to be so pay attention to when your dog growls. It doesn't matter if it's a family member, friend or someone you just met. Dogs that may growl at children could be the cause of a child tormenting the dog that you aren't aware of or at least neighborhood children that antagonized the dog to the point it doesn't like children. If this is the case then the dog should be put somewhere away from any children that may visit your home or muzzled until you get the dog trained. Also tying up your dog in the yard is a no-no. Dogs can be 'shamed' when they do something wrong (one should never hit a dog) and loved and praised when they do something right. Our dogs listen to commands well and also watch our hand signals. Believe it or not we use "grunts" if we are displeased with them or want them to do something such as coming back to us if they are chasing something. For instance, if they are growling we will get up and investigate as to why (usually it's the mailman, paper boy, etc.) but there were times when strangers came to our house that we had our doubts about. We simply say, "eh!" in a sharp tone or "huh" in a different tone. Then we pet the dog and tell them to lay down while we investigate the problem. There are times it's been dark in the backyard and I'll let my dogs investigate, but then give the command after a minute or two for them to come to my side. A well trained dog is a total pleasure to have around and others get to enjoy them as well.

first thing - NEVER let her outside to potty unless she is tied or on a lead.

You should be taking her for walks morning and evening - every day.

She will eventually run off, be stolen or hit by a car.

You must learn to become a calm, assertive pack leader. You mention "staring" at her and hitting her - to her, this means you are only challenging her - that is why she is biting and growling.

By over-feeding her treats, letting her up on the couch and bed, etc., not giving her proper excercize - then hitting her - you are just creating a very psychologically unbalanced dog. She is well on the way to becoming what the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, calls a "red zone" dog - meaning she will be dangerously aggressive.

I suggest you go to his website and buy his books - your problem is common

and he will provide you with solutions BUT your entire family must work together and be very consistent and CALM & assertive while training the dog.

If all family members don't know how to be a pack leader, the dog will get mixed messages - thus becoming even more unbalanced.

Jacks require alot of excercize and you all are going to have to be willing to devote alot of time AND patience in dealing with the psychological problems you have let him develope. If you are not willing to do some research into Cesar's methods or take him to a prof. trainer and all work lovingly together with him - it might be better you have him euthanized because I guarantee he will eventually bite someone and you can be sued and lose everything you own if medical bills are incurred.

Sounds like a boredver untraied dog ho runs the show.

I would stop free feeding, and have set meals.

Start DAILY WALKS she is a terrier full of energy, and honestly probably very fat (No owner ever thins thei dogs fat. But lots of food an no excerise means you probaly have a obeese dog. dogs need walks/excersise and training sessions every day.

Start NILIF training with her.

and I would go to the vet and get a blood panel done to rule out any medical issues.

She does seem like she's getting old so I think that's part of it.

When dogs get older they get less tolerant. Like when you kiss her. But from what you said even the slightest touch could set her off.

I recommend going to the vet solely to rule out disease, disorder or such.

If she still is troubling after that, start finding a trainer, because she could hurt someone.

PS- NEVER beat her not even a slap on the back, this encourages aggressive behavior for her.

Daisy is getting old. For some reason, Jack Russel (JR) dogs get snappy after they are older than 7 years. I don't know why. My sister had a JR for 7 years and it became bitchy. The only thing that I can think of ( in her case) is that it was becoming overweight...if Daisy is overweight...cut down on her food.

Congrats, you and your parents have spoiled this dog beyond all recognition. To rule out medical problems, have her seen by a vet, but I doubt that's the problem. Treat her like a DOG. Your parents need to hire a professional trainer before the dog seriously hurts someone.

Age has a lot to do with it. Dogs get touchy and lose patience as they get into their final years especially if they are in any pain: arthritis, oral issues, intestine troubles, etc... But you can't baby her. You need to maintain your dominance as her owner. You can teach an old dog new tricks. Get her on a strict eating regimen, brush up on your doggy discipline, and rebuild your relationship with her through exercise and grooming.

this always happens to my dog but he's only 2 my dad would always show the belt to my dog (he knows what it means) and from like the 2 months that my dad shows him the belt if he ever growled at me he stopped

well sometimes their behavior can change if you bring something new in their environment . or it feel mistreated if you don't play with her enough.