being over protective or what??

eddy327 · #1 21st May 2003, 11:18 AM

I am new to this board and came looking for answers. We have a great boxer named Eddy. He jut turned 4 yrs. old. we have never trained him or taken him to obedience classes (I know we should have) the problem is now he seems to be getting very over protective, last year he got out of the house (he can open doors and gates) and attacked the mail man, he nibbled a bit at his ankle, well when the poor guy fell, he injured his back and was off work for 6 months, I have seen Eddy nipp at others too, Well, last night Eddy bit my father-in-law. Tore open the skin on his hand and it bled alot. He went tot he hospital, and Eddy knows this man, but from what my husband told me hey were walking in the woods and Eddy just went after him. We have been fearful of letting strangers in the house because of Eddy, and have been putting him in antoher room with the door shut when people come over. Are there any suggestions. We don't want to surrender him. We just love him so much.

Russell · #2 21st May 2003, 11:33 AM

I'm so sorry to hear this! Now was Eddy a rescue, or have you had him since he was a puppy? Has Eddy been altered/Nuetered?
The reason I'm asking this is because if he was a rescue you don't know about his past, and the people that he's attacking may have reminded him of bad memories! the neutering well he may be territorial because he's not fixed and that may be causing the violent behavior! Another thing if you've had him since he was a puppy and he's been altered the next step would be take him in to the vet and have them evaluate him to see if he has an injury or a brain tumor! I'm not a professional but this is what I would do! Best of luck to you and your Eddy keep us updated on the big guy!

Heidi

eddy327 · #3 21st May 2003, 11:48 AM

thanks for the quick response, I have started to call around for classes or any kind of advice, not having mush luck there so far. We got Eddy when he was a pupppy 8 weeks old.
he is not neutered, do you think that would help, for breeding resasons we hadn't had that done yet.

Thomas Liggin · #4 21st May 2003, 12:24 PM

You are in a very difficult situation. Had those incidents you refer to been reported to the authorities, Eddy would have been taken from you. He sounds like a dangerous dog.

What if any socialization has he had. One major benefit to training regardless of how well your dog does is that is should establish you as the alpha, and he will learn submission. In addition, in group classes he will have socialization and learn how to act around other dogs and people.

Another problem is that he may not have learned bite inhibition. Do a search on this site about bite inhibition. A dog that hasn't learned bite inhibition is a dangerous dog, not because it is mean or is vicious, but because it has no understanding of the damage it can do when it uses its mouth.

A dog that is confined to a house or a yard and rarely gets out can become extremely territorial and/or aggressive.

You need to get immediate help with Eddy. It must be your priority for his sake and the safety of others. There are altogether too many tragic tales of dogs who because they lacked adequate training to prevent this behavior have been destroyed. The real tragedy is that is was through no fault of their own.

I have no knowlege which if any of these apply to your situation apart from his lack of training. Unfortunately, you are finding out first hand just how important it is.

This sounds harsh, but it is a serious problem that demands immediate attention.

As recommended in a previous post, Eddy should get a thorough check up from your vet to see if there is some health problem that is the cause of this behavior.

I wish you and Eddy all the best in overcoming this problem.

Tom

jsboxer · #5 21st May 2003, 12:32 PM

You say that you haven't done obedience training with him, have you done any socializing?

IMO this is the answer. I would talk to a GOOD dog trainer about proper socialization techniques.

I know it was your solution for this problem that just came up but I don't think avoidence (shutting the dog in the room) is the direction you should be headed.

adeinert · #6 21st May 2003, 02:36 PM

Are you showing him so you can breed him? If he is show quality/breeding quality how does he act in large places with the other dogs and people?

If you have forgone the showing/breeding then neutering would be your first responsible step (along with a comprehensive exam to rule out any illnesses causing his aggessiveness) closely followed by some obedience classes which impliment positive training techniques. Of course, I would think he should not be breed while you are decifering why he is biting. Boxers are not biters. It is not a breed characteristic for to show protectiveness in this way or to behave aggressively.

A biting dog is a great liability. Let us know how things work out.
Ashlie

Tulsa-Dan · #7 21st May 2003, 02:37 PM

Call a qualified trainer or behaviorist and get some help. The dog absolutely NEEDS training and you need to know how to handle your dog in these situations and how to modify his behavior.

Good luck.

Renee&Jake · #8 22nd May 2003, 12:37 PM

There's Dogs Best Friend:

http://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com/directions.php

I don't think they get too much more qualified than Patricia McConnell...

Here's a list of APDT Trainers who may do behavior or may have referrals:

http://www.widogrescue.com/trainers.html

I do have other referrals, but can't list them (Sorry!)

-Renee
Jakob CD NA
Josie