[Emakala]

The vet has put our 7 month old pup on a special perscriptive canned food to help him with his digestive problems as reported earlier (vomiting and now diarrea). He's to get half a can in the morning and the other half in the evening. However, he doesn't want to eat anyting before 12: noon, in fact, he looks sick when food is offered. By later in the afternoon he's finally hungry and eats enthuasiastically. Early this morning he woke up sometime around 6:am and had diarrea all over the house and uninated everywhere too. Up until a week ago, he seemed to be almost completely housebroken. Now I can't let him out of my sight as he isn't letting us know when he needs to go outside. On top of all this, he's really got an attitude problem (I'm told this is not unusual with Jack Russells). We had to put up a small run for him, which he hates and howls and cries when put there, but if I turn him loose, despite the fact we are on a large property, he's managed to run for the highway! Twice! You can imagine how scary that is. He was coming when called, but now ignores us when we call him. (I had been giving him a treat -Friskies cookies - when he comes back, but now he's not interested.) With his digestive problems, we need to take him out up to a dozen times a day or he just goes on the wall-to-wall carpets... Help Help Help... We've had many dogs over many years and never had problems like this. We love him... but the frustration is driving us crazy.

[labman]

I will leave the physical problems to the vet. Keep in touch with him. Sometimes the first thing they try doesn't work, and they go on to another. Nothing is a failure if somebody learns what will work from it.

Now about his attitude. This seems common in smaller dogs. People fail to take small dogs near as seriously as they take themselves. To him, he is a wolf. Having a good pack structure reduces such problems. The dogs see all the
People and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
The pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
Outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
Reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
Or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
A treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/.

Working him outside on a leash will be easier for you, your carpet, and maybe him. He doesn't want to foul the pack's den. Reducing his stress level may even quiet his bowels. Reducing your stress level will help reduce his too. The vomiting and diarrhea can feed on itself, stress both dog and owner. Go outside and do obedience. Praising him for his success, will help both of you.

[ladyandjan]

Did you ask the vet if the cross breed has any special health problems? My sister just had to put her dog down because she became afraid of her and the dog was half rottweiler and german shepherd. Her brain chemistry just wasn't right and the vet had mentioned the combination of the 2 breeds could be causing the brain attitude problem with the dog getting so aggressive and biting it's owner 5-6 times. Just thought I'd mention this in case the dox and JRT mix creates it's own set of health problems for your little dog. Check with the vet and see if this helps to find a solution.