Hi, Everyone-

A friend of mine found a rat-terrier in her neighborhood about a week ago, and after making an attempt to find the owner decided to find him a permanent home. since my husband and I were looking for a dog, we took him in yesterday. He's really a good dog- totally not agressive with anyone, and seems to really love kids, but here's the problem- actually three problems: 1. MAJOR seperation anxiety- we can't even go into another part of the same room without him frantically barking and jumping. 2. "Marking" our brand-new kitchen cabinets 3. "Humping" anyone who comes near him- expecially my 7-year old daughter. It looks as if this is his favorite way to deal with stress (you should have seen me trying to drive home with him in the car!!!)

I never had a RT (or any terrier) before, and I understand this is an energetic breed, but at this point, we can't even pet him without him trying to mount us. We've got him gated in our kitchen right now, but I can tell he wants to be with us. He won't even eat if he knows we're around- ALL he does is bark, jump, hump! We plan on getting him fixed ASAP, by the way. I feel terrible, as my whole family has fallen in love with him- but I'm questioning whether I want a dog that (at this point) I can't even pet! I think he's just stressed out and I REALLY want to give him a chance, but... is this normal for this breed? Does anyone have any tips for me? I'm ready to call a rescue group...

I'm so upset! This is just NOT working out! I totally don't see ANY affection in this dog AT ALL! I'm reading all these descriptions of affectionate people dogs and he is so totally the opposite! The poor thing must have been so mistreated- he tolerates us petting him but it's obvious he does not enjoy it - he flinches if we move a hand toward him.

We can't get him off my daughter (a very small 7 year-old). NOTHING works- I've tried getting between them and saying "down!" - a few times he did, but as soon as I say "Good dog" he's back on her. I told her to face him and tell him "Down!" but he just jumps right on her- it's like he's obsessed! If she goes into her room he throws himself against her door. Trying to distract him doesn't work- he doesn't seem to be at all food motivated (which I've never seen in a dog!) The worst was last night- my husband had enough of "Spot" jumping on her (my daughter had climbed up onto the back of the sofa, and he went right after her)- my husband grabbed his collar and yelled "No!" and Spot went ballistic- full fangs-bared, growling, snapping at my husband's face! Now, of course my husband's terrified of the dog. I'm also concerned because Spot seems to be afraid of my 90 year-old mother- I think maybe it's her cane. He looked like he was actually stalking her the other day, and he growls when he sees her.

My whole family is heartbroken because it seemed like a great fit- now I need him out of my house ASAP before he really hurts somebody (my poor kid is covered in scratches). I feel like an utter failure!! Does anyone know someone in the northern New Jersey area who could help me out? A rescue group or no-kill shelter- I want him to be happy and safe.

First let me say, you've only had him a few days - please give him time to adjust before you try to re-home him.... he may have been abused and needs time to realize that he's safe in your care.  Neutering him will help with the marking issues.

Kathy where are you located?  Can you please post some pix of him?

Thanks!

Thank you so much to you, Rattatty and to everyone who tried to help out- The problem with her turning her back on him is that he wants to hump her from the back- that's when he does it to my husband and me, too, but with us he gets down if we face him and say "NO!" He's just not intimidated by her at all. He actually seems to understand some commands. When we play with him, he'll lay down with the ball between his paws if we say "Down" , and occasionally he'll listen when I say it when he's on my daughter, but he won't stay down- praising him doesn't work, and like I said before, neither does food (I tried beggin' strips, milkbones and pieces of steak).

I can only imagine what the poor thing has gone through. He really needs someone who can spend the time to help him overcome his fear- I'm in tears about the whole situation.

Getting him neutered will also help the humping.  Have your daughter carry a squirt gun or squirt bottle with her and every time he does that, have her turn around, squirt him and give him a FIRM NO!  I have 6 Ratties, (2 are fosters) and the squirt bottle method works great for me.  You can also use it if you see him raising his leg to mark, but you MUST catch him in the act or else the correction is not effective.

What state are you in if you don't mind me asking?

Well, I need a picture to verify it's a Rat before we can do anything... I'm thinking GAP maybe or if I can find an open fosterhome... let me see what I can do..........

He will need to be neutered and up-to-date on shots also before (if) we can take him.

How old is he?  And any additional info would be appreciated.  Thanks!

I'm in Clifton, NJ (corner of Passaic County near Essex/Bergen Counties). We took him to my friend's vet to see if he's microchipped (which he's not). The vet techs there said he looked like RT- though I can try to take a picture of him (I'm at work right now). They're the ones who said they think he's 2 or 3 years old (by the shape of his teeth).

Hi, SuzieRedhead-

I just put some pictures I took at lunch time in "photos:ratties" with the subject "Spot, part 1". I'm pretty sure he's Rat Terrier! I'm more than happy to pay for him to be neutered and see a vet, but I need someplace for him to go by the end of the week. I just can't let him in the house with my daughter- I have no place to confine him inside. Plus, this is very traumatic on the whole family and on the poor dog- first he loses his home, then he's with one family for a week, then my family- I'm sure he can't figure out what the heck is happening!

Kathy,

I cannot guarantee I can find a place for him to go by the end of the week.  Finding available fosterhomes takes time.  I understand your frustration, but please be patient while I try to work something out.  In the meantime, please get him neutered and try the squirt bottle for correction.  I have a few emails out, and will let you know when I hear something.  For your information, my direct email address is suzie_redhead01@yahoo.com if you need to contact me directly.

Thanks!

Kathy,

Please email me and I'll give you my phone number, ok?  suzie_redhead01@yahoo.com we can talk sometime this week.

Hi, Nora-

The only crate I have right now is home to our bunny Benjamin- and I'm guessing that it probably wouldn't be a great idea for them to room together!!!! We tried containing him (the dog, that is) in the kitchen with a baby gate and a 3-foot high "puppy corral" but he jumps right over! He figured out how to get into my daughter's platform bed by jumping up onto her dresser, then into the bed! He's very smart, all muscle, and I swear he has springs in his feet! He just leaps straight up in the air like a cat! I caught him snooping around my counter-tops by using a kitchen chair.  I have a friend who is going to loan me a crate and I'm going to see how he'll do.

uh.... Would you all hate me if I said I changed my mind and want to keep him??

No way Kathy!! I think it's wonderful. He just needed time to adjust and I give you tons of credit for stepping back, taking a deep breath and wanting to help him.

I think that would be great, what changed??