Bad with Children!

[Cute Jack Russell]

My Jack Russell is the sweetest little dog until just recently.

My name is Zoe, I am new to the forum. I found it whilst trying to find out what to do with my Jack Russell, Elle. Elle is 6 this year and great with all people until recently.

I live with Elle and my Boyfriend. Elle has always been my dog until Steven and I met a year and a half a go. She is like a baby around Steven and I and any friends, but a couple we know have a toddler that is 18 months old so just walking and talking. Elle growls when the little one goes near her, then yaps at her aggresively. I shout at her and tell her off but I am really scared she would bite the child. I even bought a little muzzel for Elle when are friends came over, I was more relaxed as I knew she couldn't hurt the child, but she jumped aggressively at her then at her feet.

I really want to know the best way to repremand her as we plan to have children in the near future and it would break my heart to have to give Elle away due to her not being good with children.

She had been around another toddler in the past, he was a little boy and she was fine with him. I am also going to get Elle spade as I will not take puppies off of her and wonder if she is quite hormanal? This may calm her down?

Any advice you could give me is most appreciated.

[rebecca]

Hi

I am replying just to empathise really rather than offer advice, I have an almost 2 yr old female jack russel who is an angel around adults but is very unpredictable around children. I have often thought this was due to a child's approach to her i.e. hurried and noisey?? i dont know, maybe its a charcateristic of the breed.

Check out Cesar Millen's website im sure you have seen his prog The Dog Whisperer, he has some amazing insights into doggy behaviour. He also has a very positive attitude to overcoming issues and would see giving the dog up as an unnecessary option

Good luck

let me know how things go

Rebecca