I'm not alright Jack

Letter from Jane Langley:

About six months ago I bought a Jack Russell from my local pet shop. At the time he was very sweet natured and everyone who met him said "Oh, what an adorable puppy". However when this dog, whom I named Sam, reached the age of three or four months, his character changed, at least towards me, and he started nipping at my ankles or at any other part of me that he can reach (nowadays I hardly dare sit down). These are not serious bites in the way of being particularly vicious and they don't draw blood but they are constant and do cause some pain. He does not bite anyone else just me. He doesn't bark much and he doesn't growl when he nips but just comes up and bites me. I cannot get used to it and it often gives me a shock causing me to drop things or spill something I have been carrying. My carpets are stained something rotten and I'm running out of crockery and glasses. What is worse, other people obviously seem to think I mistreat him, which is not the case, because he only attacks me and is nice to them. I have been back to the pet shop but the man says its too late and in any case he is not a dangerous dog under the act, as he puts it. I don't know what to do. I dread going home. I have put a child-gate on the stairs and pretty much don't go downstairs and even eat sandwiches in my bedroom to keep out of the kitchen. I still have to walk Sam but each walk is him alternating between having a pee and biting my legs or tripping me up trying to do so. I read somewhere that Jack Russells can live for fifteen years or more.

Felicity answers:

I'm afraid the pet shop proprietor has a point in that he is not what would be defined as a dangerous dog. I really don't know that you have any recourse and, obviously, unlike most 'goods' you cannot get rid of it. I think you must consider whether there is a canine psychiatric option available to you. Failing that, all I can think of is that you get something into the house that Sam will fell more antipathetic toward than he does you. At the risk of infuriating the cat lovers ... well, no, perhaps we should leave that thought where it lies.