wendy1
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5mth PatterJack with Aggression. PLEASE CAN YOU HELPHi I am new to this board and am seeking your advice and support in what seems a never ending cycle of upset and stress 
We have what is normally a lovely very responsive pup who has lots of character and enenrgy. We got him at 6wks and all was well. However the past 3 weeks he has had 7 eposodes of complete uncontrolable aggression mixed between dominance and then fear when it is controlled. He will hide, we certainly don't beat him!!
My husband and I have both lots of experience in rearing/training dogs and fully understand the importance of pack hierachy, consistency and firm but fair handling. We use alot of positive reward but occ have to let our lad know that he is way out of order. I have now beeen bitten 4 times.
It can start for the most weird reason, either sudddenly siiting by an empty bag and guarding it, to just not wanting to come in. He has very high hearing sensitivity and spooks alot when out to unusual noises. He stays close to us, except if our Lab is out running, then they have a lovely play.
My biggest concern is after the initial episode of aggression he goes into a state which can easily last up to 3-4 HOURS yes HOURS! Growling snapping. if he has gone into his kennel he launches at the sides.
It is way over the top and cetainly not typical of a 5 mth pup trying it on, with too much testosterone
I am going to vets tomorrow to discuss rage syndrome and anxiety based agg which apparently can occur in Jacks. They treat with anti depresents.
Does anybody have any experinece of this please. He iso lovely when he is in a happy zone, but when the negative energy hits, absolutely nothing stops him. He has to be left until he snaps out of it. Sometimes I wonder if he is having a type of fit at the beginning.
HELP...........................
Wx
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We love him dearly BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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xxlynne
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Very difficult to comment as the labels an owner places on a dog (especially a pup) often makes more of a statement about the owner than the dog. I would want to know what exposure the owner had to 'working type' terriers i.e. understanding of the terrier mind. Also general management skills being adopted towards the pup. Most of the 'Jan Fennel demotional / pack stuff and dominance jargon has little place with terriers and is the totally wrong approach for them. My concern is he is a very different animal to a labrador and needs a sensitive, calming and encouraging approach not a punitive one; else the terrier learns to stamp their feet and puff their chest just as a toddler does. i.e. playing with taking items away from terriers teaches them insecurity and guardiness not to become submissive! Their instincts are to work independently - catch and hold. Not a "share 'social' mentality". In my many years rarely and I mean rarely, ever have I had to place an 'aggressive' label on a terrier. Where it has been there it has been learned or miscontrued native terrier instincts. We have taken many 5 month pups in who came labelled up to the hilt, but actually were frightened and not given the freedom and space a terrier needs to thrives on. They rarely take to being tightly controlled or trained. Difficult to have to give advice in public like this, but that is my currently sense. Not a demon, but a terrier not getting the scope they need. Complete our dog surrender questionnaire via our rehoming your dog section and that will give us the answer to many questions we need to ask and to start a dialogue in private on what is happening here.
So very little information to go on, but a sense you are pitching your wits against a terrier and learning they are made of guts and sinew!
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wendy1
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Hi. Thankyou I appreciate your comments, however I am very aware Terriers are a species on their own!! And have to be treated with the respect they deserve. I didn't want people thinking we were allowing him to have the Alpha position and run our house which can often so quickly happen and cause dominace and then aggression.
The fact is, he is displaying extremely strong aggressive tendencies, far worse than would be expected for any growing puppy, Terrier or otherwise.
I am going to get him a full blood count to check for Thyroid etc, and also epilepsy will be looked at. I am aware that these can cause serious aggressive tendencies if left unchecked and not handled correctly.
If he comes back with a clear bill of health, I shall then fill out your form.
Yesteday he stayed in a state of fear for most of the afternoon, and evening. After he had suddenly growled whilst under a chair when someone walked past unaware of his presence.
From that moment on he was growling jumping forward to bite and attacked the chair and his own bedding several times. And it wasn't till he woke up this morning that he had come out of it out of it and was his usual happy go luck self.
Will keep you updated on the vets results.
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