It sounds like the dog is trying to establish that he is alpha, and if you're not comfortable handling the situation and going thru a training process with the JR, then finding a new home will be best for him.

Unless he has seen the dog and worked with it, I think the behaviorist went too far in saying that the JR will end up killing your cats. I have a friend with 2 JR's and they live happily with a cat. They even take turns chasing each other.

JR's need an owner that understands what it takes to handle them, and they also need an outlet for their energy. Have you looked into working with him in an agility clinic? Of course, an obedience class would come first! ;)

Read as much as you can about the breed if you want to try to keep him. The site below may be of help.........

Here is a link that might be useful: JR's

Melanie - sorry to hear what's going on. I previously posted on your other thread that you're not a bad person if this adoption doesn't work out.

This JRT obviously isn't a good fit for a family with other pets. I would be horrified if I brought a new pet in and it attacked another pet.

I know this is not going to be a PC statement, but I will let it rip - I will never do another rescue. I did it 12 years ago and have had a long road with my oldest gal. Of course if she ever attacked another one of my pets she would have been gone. Fortunately, she never went that far. Close, but not that far. She was definitely abused by the former owner as she has stranger issues, doesn't like men or children.

I want to pick my puppy from the litter (I call my breeder 6 mos before I want a puppy so that way I am first deposit thus first pick), take it home at 7-8 weeks, train it myself so that way I know from where it came, the training and behavior is my responsibility and I reap what I sow.

I know how fast we get attached to our animals and I am sorry this didn't work out.

Is your dog that Migo attacked okay? Did he need vet attention like stitches or anything? Also, was Migo up to date on vaccinations? I would want to know that if he bit your dog. If he isn't up to date on his rabies that sets up another set of issues. JRT should be quarantined for period of time. If you haven't aleady, call your vet for further advice if you don't know the status of Migo's vaccinations.

Give the big guy lots of attention and turn your sadness over giving up Migo into extra lovies to your other pets.

Yes it is a sad day and I am glad you are going to try and put him into a rescue situation. That way the next person will have an idea of what they are getting into. My problem with the shelter dogs is that you often don't get any or truthful information about what your potential pet is all about. I know it is usually not intentional, but people tend not to tell the whole truth when giving up a pet so as to not preclude the pet from being adopted by someone else.

Labmomma, my other dog is ok. Migo didn't break the skin, but what scares us is they are playing and Migo will play for abit then go for the throat. We are really nervous about Migo with our cats and its not fair to Bubba either to be attacked when he is just trying to play. I really don't know what else to do, Bubba and Migo get along fine when they are not playing together, but the real issue is our cats. I can't trust him around our cats. He has just growled at them and chased them till they are behind the baby gate. We feel so horrible. We don't want to give him up because we love him and he is lovable, but I don't feel right about giving him the chance to maybe hurt our cats or hurt Bubba..

Please don't feel like it is your fault. You have a responsibility to the pets you already have. I know there have been posts that JRs can get along with cats. Migo has proven that he can't. If it were me I would find a rescue that would find him a one pet family. Do you know anything about his past. I can't remember did you mention how old he is?

He is a year old, the only thing I know about his past is that the vet had said he was hit by a car when he was younger and his pelvis never healed properly so he walks a little weird and can't sit right, he can't put his butt all the way to the floor, so it looks like he is squatting to pee.
I keep telling myself that maybe if I spent the money and took him to obdience classes he would be ok with my cats, but I know thats my heart talking. I love him and its really breaking my heart. I feel so horrible. I will always be worried about wheter or not he is ok and being treated right, he is very loved here, so this is very difficult

I almost hate to ask this but are you sure this was truly agression and not just dogs wrestling around on the floor? Because mine frequently play in this fashion. They latch on to each other's necks, collars, ears... One will flip over for a while then it's the other one's turn. After 10 minutes they will take a break, gulp down some water then one of them will start it up again. Lots of growling and sometimes barking. Never any yelping... well only on extremely rare ocassions. Never had any blood or broken skin. If it looks like they're getting too rough I tell them to stop with a special phrase. And if one of them doesn't want to play then they do exactly what the trainers tell us humans to do and that's walk away/ignore. What did the other dog do? Maybe he wasn't used to playing like this?

I don't know what area you live in, but you might see how many rescue organizations are listed in Petfinder.com...you might even find a JRT rescue there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Petfinder

Would you like me to show you a picture of what I'm talking about? I actually have a photo of them doing this.

Melanie ~

Please accept a big cyber-hug from me. I know how hard it is to try and save the life of a dog from a shelter and have it turn out badly.

Please know that you are doing the best thing by having Migo with a rescue situation. These people know how to work with the breed and can make wise decisions about where to place him.

You just cannot spend your time constantly worrying about how Migo will treat the other animals. You said that you are expecting a baby and that will take a great deal of time, too.

I did some reading up on the breed (thanks to annz) and they really are a dog that takes a lot of energy and commitment. No cats are best for them as they have a very high prey-drive.

Really, it is because you love Migo that he needs to have another chance with people that know what to do. You are such a wonderful gal to have rescued him from a shelter and now this is the next phase of a happier life for him.

I know you are grieving the decision but , in your heart, you can only do what is best for him.

Robyn

Quirky, My other is NOT used to playing like that, but it was horrible to see. I mean I couldnt even pull Migo off of him. I don't think it was play towards the end, at the beginning it was but it turned ugly. I mean latching on to Bubbas ear was no big deal, but he keeps going for the throat and I am scared he is going to actually hurt him, Bubba didn't really know what to do, but does play back but at the time Migo had him by the throat he just layed on his back and screamed. Then just looked at us not knowing what to do.. Training might or will probably take care of this, but how can I risk him with our cats. My cats are living in the bedrooms, I have a babygate up in the hall so he can't get back there, but when one cats does come out, he wants at it, will growl and bark. He hasnt attacked them ,but he hasnt gotten ahold of them either..

OH I am sorry to mislead you all. I am NOT Pregnant, but my DH and I am trying..

MELANIE: I totally understand where you are coming from...I am so sorry for you...it is such a hard decision to make. I just adopted a boxer as some of you may have read. I have a maltese too and my main concern is my maltese well being. When you adopt a dog you have no idea about their disposition or what their past experiences will bring to your new home. Our new boxer seems great; friendly and calm but I must say I will not leave them together without my presences until I have observed her for a long while. They are getting to know each other also.

I have to agree also with what everyone has stated. JR's are very energetic...they needs LOTS of exercise and they tend (to me)to be a "dominent" breed. Terriors can be strong minded. My SIL has one who also has some aggression and I believe it is due to lack of exercise and stimulation. Letting the dog in the yard is just a bigger pen...they dont ever walk him...but thats another story. I know alot of you dislike Cesar Millan but he is correct in saying that lack of mind stimulation or exercise will result in bad behavior. If you want to continue to try and work with your JR perhaps you should try to walk him 2xs a day morning and evening... minimum 1/2 hr each walk and see how he is. We do a 2 mile walk for our boxer everyday. She is 4 and full of energy also.

If you feel that he is truly not suited for your home than I would do as the others say...find a rescue for JR's. It would be in his best interest at this point...he needs someone who is very familiar with the breed. Good luck with whatever you choose; it will be difficult for you either way as you have created a bond to him. I feel for you.

Best, Michele

Melanie, follow your instincts. If this dog is too much for you, then talk to a rescue organization by all means. You have not failed this dog, this dog may have some big, BIG problems that you are not prepared to deal with.

JRTs are a great breed, but there is a huge span of personality and temperement in the breed. I know first-hand, because I have had them for many years, but I had to give one up to Russell Rescue due to escalating, terrifyingly violent aggression against my other dogs (including her own mother.) It really came down to the commitment I had made to the oldest dog 12 years ago when I adopted her - I just could not allow the attacks to continue, because one of them was inevitably going to be fatal.

We went the whole route when the problems began, from weekly visits from a dog trainer recommended by our vet for aggression problems (with much homework in between visits), to medication (which did not help), to dividing the house with baby gates - with the constant risk that one moment of inattention would launch another savage attack. At one point, the troublemaker was in her crate, and got herself so worked up into a rage that she got the OTHER TWO to start fighting on their own, just by watching her.

It really was h*ll on earth for many months. It all came to a head one day when my boss took me into his office, shut the door, and said, "I'm really disappointed in your performance lately." I started crying, and it all came out - living in a war zone - the tension, the stress, the disturbed sleep, the fatigue, the arguments, the guilt, the fear, the disappointment, the injuries to the old dog (a trip to the emergency vet with a torn jugular once, a ripped eyelid another time.)

My boss was really understanding, but it all suddenly became crystal-clear to me what this situation was doing to all of us, and I understood that it was time to move on. After much soul-searching, tears, and long talks with my wonderful vet, we were THIS close to putting her down (we had literally dug her grave anticipating taking her in to the vet the next morning), when Rescue called back on a Sunday night with a temporary placement, fully understanding all of the dog's problems. The Rescue people were absolutely terrific.

The last I saw of my beloved pup (the dog whose birth I'd witnessed, the dog I thought I'd grow old with) was seeing her sitting on the Rescue person's lap exchanging kisses after a parking lot hand-off. Within a few weeks, they placed her with a family out of state who had experience with the breed, had lost their own aged JRT, had a fully JRT-proof backyard, and fully understood the behavioral problems. Last I heard it was working out great. Like Migo, mine was a fabulous buddy and just adored people, but could not tolerate another dog.

Serious aggression between dogs is terrifying and unmistakable - it is NOT playing - not even aggressive playing. Your comment about your other dog screaming gave me chills - I remember that sound so well. Do what you have to do to protect all of the other animals to whom you have made a commitment, and do the best you can by Migo. You're not a failure - everything you've written shows that you are a sensitive and responsible dog-lover, and you need to be strong and do the right thing for everyone concerned.

Best of luck,
Susan

Petfinder is a great idea. My SIL lost 3 pets in the last year. Petfinder found her 2 excellent dogs.

While I would never advocate leaving new pets alone with old ones or with children, or for that matter, any dog alone with children, etc., I think your situation is a bit different. Migo has shown you what he is capable of. You are thinking about having a baby. I don't think you really want that worry when the baby comes. When I got my first lab 18 yrs ago, I found I was pregnant 3 days after we picked him up. He was a super rambunctious male labrador. On the day I was scheduled to be induced to deliver my daughter, he decided to get out of the yard and take a swim in the creek. My husband had to fish him out and wash him off before we left for the hospital at 6 a.m.

I was scared to death about how he would adjust with the baby, etc. Sonny was great with the baby. Unfortunately my daughter came home from the hospital after 10 days in NICU with alot of issues and I could not have handled things if I had a dog that was also an issue. He was the best, almost like he knew there was a problem and he went into a mode of different behavior. He was a super good boy all the time. It was amazing. It was such a relief not having to worry about him too.

I am sorry that you are torn, but I think Petfinder would be a good way to go all things considered. I don't think it is fair to Bubba not knowing if he's going to go from what he thinks is playing to being ripped up by Migo. Luckily there were no stitches involved in this particular incident, but perhaps you were given a "heads up" and should heed the warning.

Best regards.

The shelter where I volunteer has a policy of always taking animals back if things don't work out in their new home. They have a form to fill out listing any positive or negative things the animal did and why they are being returned. They can then use this information to pass along to the next potential adopter, in your case, a home with no other pets.

Our shelter, always overflowing, rarely has room to accept owner surrenders (not including the above returnees) - so there is almost always zero information available on the animal's past and they can only share what they have observed for the time the animal is in the shelter. Its always a risk to adopt a shelter dog but fortunately it does work out for many people.

I'm sorry your situation isn't working. I agree that you have to think of your other animals first in this case. If you don't have the time or energy to put into intensive training with Migo, its probably better he goes back, or to a JRT rescue group. He will have a better chance of finding the right home for him with the information you will be able to provide.

Oh, and if he should attack the other dog again, grab him by his back legs and pull them up. Don't reach in to try to pull him off. I learned that the hard way with some foster pups! Even though they were small, I got bit and a tooth went right down to the bone on my finger.

Again, sorry things haven't worked out. I know it hurts to give him up. :(

Couple of comments in response to my reply. If the dogs are indeed playing there is tail wagging from both of them. If they are fighting, different story. I think even playing looks like fighting sometimes but it's good clean fun. Can't say what happened there without having seen it. This is stuff you would expect from having two males in the house probably maybe your next dog would be better suited if it was a smaller, less energetic breed. And please wait until after your baby before trying this again. Many pets are surrendered each year because people get to over their heads with the whole baby thing.

I am so sorry for you and Migo. Sometimes we have to do what we don't want to do because we know it is for the best. It still doesn't make it easy, does it? My heart felt sympathy. Just trust in your heart that she will be able to find a home suited for her needs.

I am so sorry for you and I know how you love your little JR, but for your own piece of mind and that of your dog and cats, you need to let him go. You'd never forgive yourself if he killed or mained one of your cats. And it's not fair to the cats and your older dog to have to put up w/ this. Chin up and know that he'll he re-homed into a situation where all will be safe.

I know exactly how you feel.. You are doing the right thing.
earlier this sping my daughter adopted a english setter mix from a shelter in Kansas. She had an internship that she took for 3 months. She couldn't take the dog with her, so i said sure he can come stay with us for that time period. Well there were dog fights everyday with our dog (a collie). We also had five cats at the time. To make a long story short he killed one of my cats. I contacted a a friend who runs a rescue and tried to place him in home. My biggest fear that he would attack one of the small kids in the neighborhood. If he killed a cat would he attack a small child? She told me that he had neurological problems (possibly got hit by a car). We ended up euthanizing him. We felt terrible. It was one of the saddest days of my life I lost two pets in one day. You are doing the right thing. Protecting your cat and dog and possibly your future children is of the utmost importance. The pain of losing him wil pass but, take it from me losing two pets in one day lives with you for a long time. good luck