Jack Russell Terrier Aggression

Are Pit Bull Terriers Really All That Aggressive?

There are some topics that will always start vigorous, even heated debates and our story Friday about a child bitten by a dog got many of you to sound off.

Two-year-old Evan Hall was bitten by a pit bull terrier mix. While his wounds heal so many of you said it's just another case of pit bulls getting a bad and undeserved reputation.

Most of the 800,000 or so dog bites that happen each year in this country involve children. Most of those bites are around the face. You don't often hear about small dogs biting kids in the news but if it's a pit bull or mix it can become sensational.

We met Kate Corum Monday, who is a loving, loyal master to her dog "Vito." He's a border collie and staffordshire bull terrier mix. She got him because he's spunky and can run and jump competitively in a sport called fly ball.

"He has got so much drive, he has so much love, I mean he's a cuddler as you can see," Corum said.

Friday we found "Mo," another pit bull terrier mix, frightened and shivering in quarantine at the Hamilton County Humane Educational Society. He's scheduled to be put down because he snapped at Hall's face leaving gashes over his eyebrow and cheek.

Hall's grandmother said he came up behind "Mo" and tried to pet him. "Mo" and his master Chelsea Young had been staying recently with Evan and his parents in a small Hixson apartment.

Since the story aired we got a lot of viewer reponses by email and Facebook, many of them saying pit bulls get bad and undeserved reputations. Some even blame the media.

So are pit bulls really that aggressive?

"No, and that's so sad because the dogs that bite the most are the little guys," according to Hamilton County Humane Educational Society executive director Guy Bilyeu. "The problem is they just don't have the power to do the damage a pit bull can do."

A recent study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science shows the most aggressive dogs are Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Jack Russell Terriers, Cocker Spaniels and Beagles.

"Statistically more people are bitten by small breeds like that, often their own dog, but they don't report those bites so those bites don't get into your news stories," McKamey Animal Trust executive director Karen Walsh said.

Since pits and mixes are muscular and much stronger their bite can be more severe, even deadly in rare cases.

Unfortunately many pit owners are not loving masters like Corum. Walsh said many people who own pits or mixes keep them in conditions that can make any animal aggressive like small pens or on chains tied to trees.

What You Can Do About Jack Russell Aggression - Ringworm, Acne ...

Dog owners who want to tame Jack Russell aggression will need to be aware that most excess aggressive behavior is due to not having enough physical exercise, discipline, stimulation and companionship. Jack Russell terriers tend to be intelligent, hard-working dogs who must be active and involved on a day-to-day basis. It is a full-time job to own one, so if you are not able to commit time and energy to your Jack Russell, you might want to consider another breed.

There’s an old saying that a tired dog makes a good dog.  Jack Russell terriers require thirty to forty-five minutes of every day walking or running. Certain dog owners assume smaller dogs get plenty of physical exercise by simply running through the house or inside the yard, but that is simply not accurate. Without getting purposeful daily exercise, your terrier will have surplus energy which will hinder its capacity to become disciplined and learn commands, and this is going to compound aggressive behavior.

Discipline is critical for all dogs, and this includes your terrier. Your life together will be harmonious when you take the time to effectively discipline your Jack Russell. Before you bring your dog home, read a first-rate book on dog discipline and training.  Start potty training the dog without delay upon its arrival.  Additionally, you want to control any Jack Russell aggression such as biting, jumping up on people, and unnecessary barking and yelping. Discipline right from the start is necessary to train the dog to stay away from aggressive behaviors.

Jack Russell terriers are extremely intelligent dogs that love to be stimulated and readily master commands, as confirmed by the breed’s proliferation in Hollywood movies and tv shows.  Making use of the tactics from your dog training book, spend half an hour every day going over very simple commands. Once your Jack Russell has mastered these commands, it is going to be prepared to proceed to more advanced training. Hard work is ingrained in this breed and they need stimulation.

Finally, your Jack Russell definitely requires companionship and love. Aggressive behavior can come from the dog being home all day long alone, so in the event you work think about getting a dog walker to break up the monotony of a very long day alone. As soon as you get home, offer your terrier the focus it desires with love and practicing discipline and any commands you are teaching. It will be really worth the effort as the dogs are extremely loyal and lovable to dedicated owners.

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