Hi
Wondered if anyone had any advice re. the above
A three month old Jack Russell pup has started our local obedience classes, her owners say that her temprement was fine until she had to go into the vets after consuming rat poison .... the vets informed them when they went to pick her up that she was vicious ... something they had seen no sign of before.... Anyway, she is fine with the family and the children in the house but when she has a lead on and is out of her own territory she turns into teeth and fangs ... anyone other than her owners go near her and she rips your hands to shreds .... if you endure the biting and pick her up ... she turns back into a normal friendly puppy ... tail wagging , kisses etc . it is obviously fear biting but they have no idea what triggered it ... because of the risk to other people they are thinking that they may have to have her put to sleep and are devastated .... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Lyn

Welcome to the forum Lyn. Leigh

As you say, It's obviously fear biting but a 12 week old puppy usually has no fear of humans including strangers. As you know, rat poison kills by causing internal bleeding and I wonder if that has caused some internal damage or maybe caused so much pain that she associates it with strangers (The vets). I'm a little surprised because I was not aware there was much pain with that type of poison. (Never tried it but was under that impression)

The problem now is not so much how it happened as what to do about it. About all I can suggest is back to socialising again! At that age hopefully it's not too late. Certainly I'd give it a try before I’d admit defeat but at the end of the day people must be protected. If a child is savaged, and I'm not talking about a 12 week old puppy so much as a year to 18 months adult. It doesn’t sound like the breeders fault, the owners fault or even the dogs fault, but try, that’s all they can do. But they must be prepared to take the responsible action if it comes down to that.

Please keep us posted of developments.
John

Hi, my mother in law's Jack Russell also ate rat poison and I have to say he became extremely grumpy and has had terrible bad breath ever since! He has improved, more back to his usual self but it did take a while and he is an older dog. Whether is leaves them with a nagging pain or dull ache, obviously they can't tell you. It does sound like fear, you know defensive biting almost as if when you persevere with handling and it knows you aren't hurting it, then it's ok. I do know a trainer that muzzled a dog with apparent 'defensive aggression' and then let everyone handle it and other dogs approach etc - once it found there was no pain only gain it stopped and the muzzle was removed - but at least everyone was safe.

Hi Lynn

Just to add that although in many ways yu can never socialise enough, also be careful not to "overface" a puppy that is nervous.

Have you spoken to the breeder at all, to check how the othter pups have turned out?

If your pup likes food treats, this could be a good time to use them, avoid people pushing themselves onthe pup, but with gentel sideways-on body language and offerign a treat it could make a difference. The pup may then think it is worthwhile to let people stroke him and will eventually be more accepting.

good luck, will you let is kn0w how you get on?

Hi there!
I just thought I'd join in as I have a jack russell who also ate some rat poison last year (must be a breed thing!!) to which he had no adverse effects after being made sick at the vets. the only suggestion I can make is that you make the fvet's a place to look forward to by giving lots of special treats there and asking your vet to give treats to your pup to associate good things with that place, luckily my dog is strange and always gets excited at the vets, to whom we go alot after he eats things he shouldn't (rat poison, car engine glue, nail varnish remover, plant food, the list goes on!!) and no, I don't know where he finds them all! as to being out, I agree with the others, lots of socialising, do you know anyone with a dog who will play with yours, but not retaliate when bitten? as obedience classes can sometimes be overwhelming for a shy pup and frequent individual socialising may be better for her before attempting obedience,
good luck with your pup, Emily and Morris theJRT