DOG FIGHT on our property, HELP!!! JRT R.I.P. 8/25/10 Post #78

[chicksbestfriend]

Thank you so much to all of your sharing words of wisdoms, definitely helps me to keep an open mind and heart to do what is best for everyone. I am totally open to having a trainer come out and evaluate the dogs, train or advise on what must be done for the best interest of the pack and anyone who handles the dogs. I have come to realize as well that once an aggression is there in an animal, there is no way to "rid" that behavior, but there are tools out there that one must use to keep that behavior in check. Really will be investing alot of time in making a decision here, no matter what financial cost is, there is no price tag one can put on a human life, and definitely dont want that door to open. I had read in one of the post about a good and spoiled dog, definitely have one of those, and for the JRT, has always had an unprovoked ankle snapping behavior towards the chickens. I do believe that the JRT does instigate some level of chaos around the property which we have constantly been working with. Again, so appreciate all the pro and cons of these post, please keep sharing what ever information you have to guide me in the best solution.

 

[Brindlebtch]

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First time I've seen a decoy carry a dog like a purse.

If Jacks weighed 50 lbs they would be truly fearsome dogs.

 

[Brindlebtch]

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First thing you need to do is to get all of those dogs fixed.

I agree. Many dogs make better pets and companions and calm down quite a bit when they are neutered.

The trouble I personally see with your situation is that frequently you can develop a grudge match between a couple of terriers. I expect one has formed between your Jack and the dog that injured him. Either the Jack will retreat and not engage, or you are going to have a serious problem with fights. The Jack may develop an "I better bite you before you bite me" attitude toward the dog that injured it. I would seriously keep the Jack out of harm's way. They just don't realize they are small dogs. If a fight starts and pack mentality kicks in or if somebody starts really screaming from pain, your JRT may come to a very sad end.

Most JRTs are going to have a problem with animals like chickens. They were bred as ratters and vermin catchers and it takes a tough dog to run down a hole after vermin. You need to understand that JRTs aren't going to have a necessarily benevolent attitude toward other animals, just like some bulldogs.

 

[ducks4you]

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Agreed. Find the JRT a new and safer home. Isn't this why we talk about how much room our chickens need, so they won't kill each other?
I understand that there are even cities on the east coast where dog registration for intact animals is over $300/year, and this has helped to greatly reduce the excess dog population. (If your dogs are fixed, your registration fees there are lots lower, as it should be.) Wish they'd do it in MY county. I have to pay $18/cat or dog per year because I have spayed and neutered them all--all fixed by 6 months old. If you don't, the county charges $30/cat or dog. It hardly seems fair since my previous dogs (ALL spayed at 6 months old,) lived to be over 10 years old, my 2 living (Neutered and Spayed) cats are each 8 years old, and my current 2 dogs, both spayed at 6 months so they cannot produce a litter, are 2 1/2 and 3 years old.
spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter
If you refuse to monitor your pack or your flock or your herd, the weakest animal in the group always pays for your neglect.

 

[Brindlebtch]

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I don't think the OP is refusing to monitor her pack nor is she a neglectful owner. She has simply found herself in a new situation and is seeking advice on how to deal with it.

 

[chicksbestfriend]

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I don't think the OP is refusing to monitor her pack nor is she a neglectful owner. She has simply found herself in a new situation and is seeking advice on how to deal with it.

Thank you brindlebtch, thats exactly what I want to accomplish, seeking advice for the best solution for everyone. Again, I would like to thank everyone for all the feed back that I am getting on this incident, all of you have helped me to stay emotionally detached and stay focused on a solution. I truly appreciate the opionions and experience of everyone who has responded, and I want everyone of you to know that you all are playing an important role in my decisions as your unbiased feedback is what I need the most. I wish I had the time to respond to each and everyone of you that have shared your thoughts and opinions, but I am definitely writing everything down in a journal so that I can see all the pros and cons before me as I make the necessary adjustments. Just an update on the JRT, got her eating and drinking this morning, she mustered up the strength to come out of her crate and close to me and recieve some comfort; wags her tail everytime I walk into the room, so that is positive though I know she is still in alot of pain by her movements and fear by the look in her eyes. My mother in law has agreed to take in the JRT once she is completely healed. MIL lives on our property in our cottage, and has her own fenced in area where the dog can roam freely without being threatened by the bulls, or intice the chickens and ducks. We have completely proofed her yard from chicken invaders (lol) so there should not be any threat of harm to the JRT. The energy level with the bulls has subdued quite a bit today, so the tension in the air is diminishing. Tomorrow cannot come quick enough so I can make the appointment for the bulls to be spayed and neutered. I will be updating the status of the dogs and what decisions we have come to, and again, I welcome all the feedback; its so much easier to see the dynamics when sitting outside of the box. Heart felt MAHALO (thank you) to everyone! And yes, ducks4you, it was my bad for assuming the JRT had cleaned her bowl, I should never have let my guard down.

 

[emvickrey]

1 aggressive dog is 1 too many. Dogs tend to work in packs. Either against another dog or dogs or against people or other animals. It's not safe to have so many dogs that can do serious damage to you or the other pets. I suggest you thin out the pack. Rehome a couple. The poor little dog doesn't have a chance against such large dogs and ones that can do so much damage. The most we ever have to deal with our 2 dogs is the chihuahua trying to steal the chow mix's treats. She just yells at him and he screams and runs away. She don't even snap, just yells. We don't tolerate aggression out of any of our animals. They go to live someplace else. I've had the chow mix for 13 years and she will get away from a rooster if it tries to threaten her. He chased her behind the couch. It's not that she's a coward, she knows not to hurt the other animals.

 

[chicksbestfriend]

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1 aggressive dog is 1 too many. AMEN! We are coming to grips with that truth. JRT being rehomed for safety and I truly believe the dog that did the attack (one of my favorites) should also be rehomed, along with the last acquired male, (though he is one of my favorites too). Ok, they are all my favorites. Yes, it is very difficult coming to terms with the possibility of having to reduce the pack, but as I hear it echoing through these posts and knocking on my heart, it may be the only option for us. My upmost concern is safety for the dogs, safety for us and anyone else. As we all continue to heal, we will be guided into making the best choice for all concerned.

 

[welsummerchicks]

If you are planning on rehoming these dogs, I would suggest you inform the person considering taking the dog in, of what has happened.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Tomorrow cannot come quick enough so I can make the appointment for the bulls to be spayed and neutered. I will be updating the status of the dogs and what decisions we have come to.....

That is great! So glad you decided to spay/neuter everybody. Im sure that will make for a better living situation.​