My wife has a jack russell dog thats afraid of big dogs, I want a big dog. What should I do?

Question

I went to get a Doberman that is 1 yr. old from the humane society and I brought her dog with to make sure they got along but the dog was scared to death! Do you think it would be better to get a pup so it atleast starts off smaller or an older dog that would stay away or??? please help! thanks!

Answer 1

You don't say whether this is an established issue with the JRT, or if it was fearful of this particular dog, at the shelter. If this was an isolated incident, it may have been not the Dobie, but the shelter environment that caused the anxiety in the JRT. The stress level of animals in a shelter, no matter how nice, is very high, and other dogs sense it and react accordingly.

If the Doberman has a mellow disposition (athough any year old dog will be going through a silly adolescent phase) you might ask if you can foster the dog for a week to see if the JRT can get over his/her fear of this particular dog. If they agree to that, then what you need to do once you get the Dobie is this:

Introduce both dogs in a neutral environment such as a local park. Have your wife walk her dog and you walk the Dobie, being VERY careful to only praise the JRT when s/he is calm, otherwise stay quiet! Don't do the "It's OK, don't worry, blah,blah,blah" or it will simply reinforce the JRT's anxiety. Any acknowledgment will be construed as 'praise' and will strengthen the fear behavior.

Once you feel the dogs are comfortable, go home and do some hanging in the front yard. If you get calmness, go to the backyard. You can drop the leashes (don't take them off) if you feel the dogs are calm. The Dobie will probably spend more time examining the yard than paying attention to the JRT, and the little dog can investigate the bigger one while he's preoccupied.
Give them at least 15 to 20 minutes with this, then pick up leashes and go into the house - little dog first.

You'll want to let the Dobie drag a leash around when you are there anyway, to prevent him getting into trouble while he gets used to his new home. Start giving the JRT treats when he's calm and the Dobie's anywhere within sight. If Dobie moves out of sight, treats stop. Oops, there's Dobie, here's a treat! Just pop them into his mouth - don't make him reach for them. What you're trying to show the JRT is that good stuff happens when the Dobie is around, and stop when he's not. Hmmmmmm

They should have separate places to sleep, and I would advise a crate for the new dog. They should be out in the house or yard together only when you are there to supervise, until you KNOW the little dog is fine with the Dobie.

If you cannot foster for the week, or the JRT just can't handle the bigger dog, then the other advise is good - get a puppy and let the JRT grdually get used to his friend growing up. It wouldn't be fair at all to force the smaller, established dog to live in fear (even if it's unfounded to you).

There are so many rescue organizations out there; if fact here in Norman OK one of our humane societies just took a female Dobie and her puppies from a shelter.

Good luck, e-mail me if I can help with anything.

Answer 2

Me, personally, i think it would be easier if you got a puppy to start out with. Or try putting the jack russell with a puppy and see how it goes. If your dog is acutally comfortable with the pup, it looks like that may be the better way to go. Also, since he's growing from a pup to a bigger size your dog now will most likely get used to it for they're building a bond rather than worrying about size the pup will grow into.

I have two bigger dogs in the backyard, my story is the exact opposite though. I have a retriever/shepherd mix and a dalmation. Usually they bite and chew anything that's a size of a rat. My family and I were all terrified since we've decided to adopt an indoor chihuahua. But as the chihuahua, growing from pup to adult, the big dogs nevered really gave him too much trouble... just long sniffing sessions and thats it. They grow to have a great bond now... and luckily the big dogs didn't decided to chew him like a chew toy. (whew!) =)

It will be a bit of work to take care of a puppy as a start but i believe it will bring less tension and probably build a better bond with your dog now as the pup grows bigger. Sooner he won't even notice it. good luck!

Answer 3

Yes, you might want to start with a puppy so the Jack Russel can at least feel he's helping to raise and train the little tyke. By the time the pup grows up, the Jack Russell shouldn't be afraid because he would have known the pup all his life.

Now- you might try slowly introducing the doberman to the other dog while he's being petted. I can't guarantee that will work, but it might.

Answer 4

Did you actually take your dog into the shelter or bring the dobie out? If you took your dog in that's what he would have been most afraid of - the noise, tension and energy level in the shelter.

If this dobie you want is a well socialized dog who's not aggressive toward other dogs, I'm sure you could make this work. You have to introduce them carefully, with the dobie on a leash so he can't make any sudden moves to scare your jack russell. Jack russells usually have the attitude that they're much bigger than they are, so your dog should become accustomed to a new one. Take them for walks together, encourage them to be in a room together but don't let them out in the yard until they've gotten well accustomed to each other and will interact.

Once your dog's gotten used to the dobie in his house and realizes that he's not going to hurt him, he should come around.

Answer 5

that is a good possible solution but if your heart is set on that doberman than i would have a few more brief introductions and give them some time also your wife should find your local dog park or puppy classes and socialize the jack Russel with dogs of all shapes and sizes as I'm sure he will encounter them again in the future.

Answer 6

Starting off with a puppy would be a better solution, though I applaud your efforts to help an abandoned dog, the jack russell was there first. You will probably find if you get a puppy they will become the best of friends

Answer 7

I got a rott. pup and already had a min. schnauzer and my Min. Schnauzer picked on the rott. Even after the Rott. outweighed her by 85 pounds. I think it's cause the Rott started as a pup.

But I have another small dog that is like 20 pounds and the Rott. who is 115 and they get along fine.

I think the jack russell and the doby would get along ok once they got used to each other.

Answer 8

Our Chihuahuas are the same way. They do not like big dogs at all. We got a rottie puppy and they accepted her right away because she was not so big. I would get a pup, not an adult dog.

Answer 9

if you don't live in awar zone why whould you want abig dog anyway the bigger the dog the bigger the who do there,the law clearlystates all koo ko will be picked up or face your gas for the week out the window there a fine also carry abig bag so it can fit. watch what he eats the smell could reach ablocl away. whatever your decision good luck . dogs need time to get together more then 2min.

Answer 10

i think you should get a puppy that the small dog will take a liking to. that way the dog can have time to get used to the dog instead of gettin a big dog. gettin a dog that comes in big will have the small dog even more afraid. start of small.