Has anyone else had this experience with a small dog? Is it normal?

Scout was found wandering on I-40, no tags, did not have one of those injectable things....covered with fleas.

She is a Jack Russell mix, smooth hair, almost pure white, with short stumpy legs.

Since I brought her home, she sleeps in the bed like it's hers! When I try to snuggle with my husband, she gets between us--

She ONLY insists on the BEST dog food-

She lords over the cat-

She has to have expensive doggie treats- Greenies, preferably...has made it known to me that the faux greenies from Costco are NOT good enough.

When she is asleep for her after breakfast nap, if I make noise, she opens one eye and glares at me as if to say, "EXCUSE ME>>>>"

She plops her butt down on anyone, including the cat, when she needs attention--

So much for a grateful stray, eh??

:)

How does the cat take that?

Took her about a week, then starting napping with her, and doing the cat head butt thing!

She does get annoyed with Scout sits on her...but, just walks away--She is bigger than Scout by about 4 pounds!

It's to the point that when we lay down for a snuggle, and she doesn't come stalking up from the foot of the bed, we wonder where she is.

Anything more than a snuggle requires a shut door. We learned the hard way on that one.

Sounds like Scout found the right folks to take care of him in the style he wanted to become accustomed to!

:wow: :evilgrin:

and they weren't from me.

B-)

Queen of the house and she will let you know it everyday in case you forgot! Don't move her in to a different spot in the bed to make yourself more comfortable, she will also let you know it. When I get on to her, she talks back, like who the hell am I to be telling her what to do. :shrug: But you gotta love her.

They are like that - they know they own the world and that you are there to serve.

They are very possessive and have high expectations, not for themselves, but for those that serve.

They are very loyal and do love deeply. :hug:

Post a photo when you can. :hi:

And you? Have you got your Fema and car stuff straightened out yet?

What a mess!

And yes, Scout is the cutest thing I have ever seen on four legs!

and is milking the attention for all it is worth. (In other words, he is now spoiled rotten.) The vet wants the left leg/hip to strengthen some more before he operates to fix the right hip.

As for me, well, the car has been fixed (fingers crossed) for the 2nd time, I still have title issues I am trying to resolve and FEMA repairs and inspections to be made. I guess I just have to accept the fact that the efforts to rebuild my life will take years and won't always be easy.

I haven't given up - but I do trip some times and fall down. :blush:

Thanks for asking and thanks for caring. :hug:

And is he still helping your TV get good reception?

I had to get rabbit ears. x(

Hope you are doing well! :hi: Thanks for asking. :hug:

I never had a mutt act that way. I have adopted my mutts from the SPCA and that might factor into it in someway.

Put her in a kennel for a few days. Hehehe.

The vet thinks she is part jack russell...

We put her in kennel when we went to DC for the march...she was miserable, and it took her days to recover--

to do with their "breed". Some dogs are just sassy. Especially little ones.

why she was wandering around with no tags. She got kicked out for driving her previous owners crazy!:rofl:

If she has accepted your home/bonded with you it is time to establish your position as alpha. Do you have other dogs?

But, here is the real problem...joking aside. It's pretty obvious she came from an abusive situation. My husand was playing with her one night...and raised a book, and she freaked...cowered. Almost started crying.

She has nightmares; I had no idea doggies could wake up crying (every dog I have ever had in my life came to me as a puppy...no memories except fun ones)---she is clearly terrified of being abandoned...and gets nervous away from home (we take her with us when we visit relatives)

I bought her a cozy crate that she stays in when we go out, or I go to classes---her favorite toys are put in there, and the cat stays outside the crate and keeps her company.

I don't discipline her very well because she actually shakes when I pop her with a paper towel roll...a rolled up newspaper is wayyy too scary for her.

So, we do have a problem...but, so far, we are just dealing with it like we would with an adopted child-

Stephanie

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Since she has been abused you must avoid corporal punishment it is not effective, especially with terriers. It will take awhile, but the techniques are very effective.
If you are not in love with terriers, or don't have the time it takes to deal with these indomitable little balls of energy, you might want to consider a local terrier rescue. :shrug:

I would take my husband to a local husband rescue group first!!!

Oh, hell no!

Nope, this is just another one of those "firsts" in life that come along when you don't expect them--

Thank you for the suggestion on the book; I will definetly get it!

But, Scout stays with us...she is family now-

The first thing you must do is show your terrierist that you are the pack leader. Right now she thinks she is in charge of the pack and it will drive her crazy and make your life difficult.
When you come home and she runs in to you barking and jumping etc. turn your back and ignore her. I know it's hard, but it will pay off. DO NOT say anything, just turn your back and ignore her, eventually she will go away. Give her at least 5 minutes before you give her any attention and make her come to you to receive the attention. Whenever she tries to impose herself on you, gently push her away, again saying nothing, and ignore her. You will only give her the affection on your terms and your timetable. Terriers have extremely dominant personalities and this can take awhile, but stick to it, you will both be much happier.
There is much more, but this is the foundation to your relationship. Good luck and please keep up the progress reports.
http://AuntPats.com

Sounds like the poor baby has been beaten in the past. A squirt bottle might get her attention but not bring up bad memories.

The Avenging Squirt Bottle of Justice works on my cats! If they see me pick it up, they scatter -- hee hee!

gets pissy and tries to attack the water bottle. She thinks I am her pet.

We all love him for it. :)

Small dogs tend to own their humans, and not the other way around. :) My mom just bought one of her Chihuahuas a fabulous feather bed for his birthday. They get Greenies, too. I plan on having my own when the kids are a little older, and I'm sure they'll be just as spoiled. Congrats on your new little dog. Jack Russels are adorable.

Aside from refering to her as the 'Tiny Titan' and '12 lbs of trouble in a dog suit', I do sometimes tell her she is a cat in a dog suit.

Mine had some of the same problems with abandonment and abuse issues-I pretty much train her through praise. She's very smart. The few times I have had to lay the law down-she gets scared way out of proportion over the discipline. She's okay about it now. "Lay down on the sofa-head down!" is the worst for her-it's effective without being cruel.

Little foundlings are great!

On Edit-Have YOU got pics?

I don't have anyplace to upload photos for the web....I will try soon...she seriously is that cute!

Yes, little terriers are tough sometimes. They are very smart and if you have an alpha like I do require a lot of time and patience.

Part of our problem with Lilly is that my husband totally spoils her. (And our other dog as well-our Dalbador) My daughter and I tease him by calling ourselves Three and Four on his list of loves.