Aggression Issues

[celtgoddess]

Well, gotta tell you, the agression issue is completely gone!!! We ended up with a second pup from the same litter, and (for whatever reason ) the behavior disappeared! Although, Chopper is still the more "stand offish" of the two, he is a very sweet pup!! They are almost 4 months old now, and just the best little buddies I could ask for!!

[TYS0NSM0MMA]

We adopted Sable in July (Canada Day to be exact!) and when her and Tyson first met they played and they had a little scuffle but no fur lost and eventually were fine. But now Sable has taken when we went to the dog park she jumps on any dog that is smaller or the same size as her and tries to force them to the ground. I felt terrible last time this happened because I thought the park was empty and took them there to get a good run but someone was hidden. Sable jumped on it and just grabbed on to the back of its neck and kept pulling on it. It was scary and I was alone (no hubby) and when she gets barking like that Tyson charges in and runs in circles barking (almost hurding the dog around) I grabbed her by the hips and pulled her back and put her halti on her and tied the lead to a fence then ran over to make sure the other dog was ok (thankfully it was) and Tyson immediately stopped barking and hurding. Sable has done this almost everytime we have encountered a dog other than Tyson. Even to other boxers!! (Although the one and only time she did do it to another boxer he was the same height but about 70 lbs (she is 55!) he told her what for) I feel like I cant let her go anywhere around other dogs, she has improved in leaps and bounds with walking on the leash she no longer pulls and she heels great most of the time. She starts out a bit pully then calms down some. But this attacking other dogs and trying to take them down is un-acceptable to me, WE NEED HELP!!!

thanks for the advice,
Colly

[harleyboxer]

I think that it is possible to retrain aggresion that is from fear or unsocialization, but dominance with other dogs is another thing all together. If your dog is dominant it will fight for dominance with other dominant dogs. You can make it slightly better if you work with them, but you can never totally trust it. I have had several (ignorant) people tell me that I should take my dog to a trainer. He likes some dogs, but others he doesn't get along with. That isn't an aggression issue. He won't tolerate being jumped on and he especially will not put up with dogs that try to get to much attention from me. He will tell them to back off and if they don't listen he will eventually go for the throat. I had no experience with boxers when I got my dog and the lady at the animal shelter told me that this was a common thing with boxers. I just don't take the chance with him.

[LokiGem]

Loki is now 2 1/2 years old. It has been quite some time since his aggressive behavior started and it has not subsided. Loki was neutered at just over 6 months of age. He got along well with all dogs for about a year after that, but no more...
Loki still CAN NOT associate with male dogs. He goes crazy, growling, lunging, etc... I do not take him to off leash parks at all anymore and he gets along GREAT with the small group of females in our play groups as the only male. Funny thing is that he lives with one male dog (yorkshire terrier) and at family gatherings plays with another male, a maltese.
Maybe its the size? He happily lets the yorkie hold alpha position in our house. Yorkie eats first, yorkie snaps at Loki to correct him.
I still don't understand why stranger male dogs cause such a reaction in him.
I know now that dog parks are not for us anyway as it causes to much stress for me and Loki. We sometimes have problems meeting male dogs on leash walks too though.
Insteading of addressing the issue I have tried to avoid the catalyst. Is that a bad thing?

-Kim & Loki

[LokiGem]

oops. posted twice, sorry

[harleyboxer]

If your dog may injure another dog then avoid it. You can try taking him to places where there are a lot of dogs on leash so that he gets used to seeing other male dogs. He needs to learn that he can't react like that. It took my dog awhile to settle down and even now it takes about 15 minutes to settle down. Did you have the Yorkie when your dog was a puppy? It would have established dominance then. Also, in the house my dog is usually better with other dogs than outside. He reacts the most strongly to dogs that are afraid of him or bark. Boxers can be very intimidating to other dogs when they puff themselves up. I took my dog to a park benefit for dogs and was suprised at how many dogs he did get along with and the ones that he didn't (you may find there are some females that he doesn't get along with either). My dog will meet other dogs before he decides he doesn't like them which gives me ample time to restrain him. I wouldn't suggest that though if your dog lunges and asks questions later. When I got my dog he was 3 yrs old and at the animal shelter. I took him to the park, the pet store, and anywhere else I could find. We'd have to make a wide berth around the other dogs and it took awhile, but he doesn't react as much anymore. When you take your dog to a dog park and it attacks another dog it is very hard to stop because of the space involved so don't feel bad about not taking him.

[Bob Boxer]

Woof..it's Boxer Bob again. I have been doing better with "hotdog"
training. When we are walking on the leash and we see a dog that I don't know, my woman treats me to a piece of hotdog and tells me what a good boy I am. Sometimes I am really good but sometimes, especially if one of those golden dogs comes by I still act up alot. WOOFFFF
On thanksgiving I met a really coolgirl dog ( a ridgeback) and we hung out for a while. Also went for a walk with her and two other black labs..one I don't like much cause she jumped on me once and stares alot. I lunge at her and bark..woof wooof.
My people usually try to interduce me to other dogs first..if my woman likes them and says it's okay, that they are nice dogs I feel okay.
I know most all the dogs that live on my street and like them just fine, especially JoJo, she's a very pretty shorthair gal.
I look tough but guess I am really a bit chicken and don't really like to fight.
I Hate pinch collars and choke chains, they make me really upset and I snapped at my people to tell them what I thought. I have been wearing a gentle leader for several years now and walk very nice on the leash.
WOOF

PS my woman says I am the most handsome dog ever !

[NikleAlcala]

I'm new to the boards. I've been reading the posts for the past two days and have learned a lot. It's good to hear people going through the same things I am with my two new pups. It's also helpful to hear how the more experienced have worked through the issues. I have two young pups, Laila 16 weeks and Cassius 10 weeks. They've been together for about 3 weeks. They play with each other very well, but at times can get very load and rough. I was worried at first because from the outside it sounds as if they are fighting (growling at each other at some points). But then I started to talk with people and read things and thought- they are just being puppies. But the more I think about it and read posts about agressive behavior, I start thinking, maybe this is something I should be focusing on. Sometimes their play gets so rough one will yelp (doesn't seem to stop them), but I find myself stopping them. Is that bad? I don't want them to think all play is bad, but I worry about when they get older (and bigger).
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions? Gone through the same thing?

[k9bxrs]

It sounds like you have things going in the right direction. When you give them attetion of any sort whether it's affection, treats, food or play make sure you give it to the boxer that was there first meaning the boxer that you got first and then the other boxer second and make sure you do this every time and that everyone in the house does the same thing and this helps establish the alpha between them because they already know your are the top dog I hope this helps. Good Luck !!!

[Honey's Dad]

I would like to recommend the book, "The Culture Clash", by Jean Donaldson. The book offers insight into dog behavior and recommends behavioral interventions you can try to get your dog on the right track.

You may not agree with everything the author says, but I believe this book should come with every new puppy.