Boxer dog getting aggressive, any ideas?

[blaev 1]

My 5 yr old boxer dog is getting more aggressive for some reason. He used to be everyone's mate and would be fine with other dogs too. Now, he pulls like crazy to get at any other dog, if the other dog barks or growls in return he goes mental to try and get it. The kids used to be able to walk him but he's so unpredictable now they don't dare as he can pull them straight over (And has, to attack another dog). The only time he has ever had an bad experience with another dog was when he was a pup he was bitten on the scruff of the neck by a terrier. He was fine with other dogs for years afterwards.

 

Just lately the aggression has started towards humans unfortunately. He has tried to bite at least 3 people who have approached him whilst out, it started off with a bloke who thought it was a good idea to approach, waving his hands around shouting "hello big lad". My boxer tried to bite his hand as soon as it was within reach.

 

The only thing that's changed over the last 6 months is (and I hear you all say aha!!) is that we have got a patterdale bitch. He gets on brilliant with her but she is quite dominant with him. They get walked together and as long as no people/dogs are around they are fine. She's friendly to people and other dogs, he's just getting worse and worse. Finally, he tried to bite my wife yesterday when she tried to shift him from in front of the fire to mop the floor.

 

He has never even growled at me, not ever. All he does is pull, but he can be controlled by voice, i.e. calling to heel. His recall when off the lead is good (Unless he sees another dog/human). He gets walked at least 3 miles a night on weekdays and about 15 miles in total over the weekend.

 

I really want to give him a chance and sort this out somehow but I think he's getting dangerous and I feel under pressure to do something. Any ideas? I have little kids in the house too and I'm very concerned about their safety.

[Guest jt750]

I'm no expert on dogs but it looks to me that your boxer has been pushed down the pecking order in your pack with your new dog. He probably doesn't want to go any further down that order so he's trying to reistate himself back up that order so any person or dog might seem a threat to him in this respect. As for him growling at your wife its probably because before the patterdale arrived he would see you as pack leader and your wife around the same level as he.

This is my opinion only and the answer is ...I don't know i'm sorry to say

[RaiderBoy 19]

i would say the same as jt 750, try giving him more attention instead of the patterdale for a week or so

[Bevwallis 7]

Maybe approach a good behaviourist?

 

Maybe someone from the outside would be able to observe him within the family unit and see what is happening.

With such a sudden dramatic change i would only guess it is due to the addition of the terrier or is medical.

 

I certainly think you need to address this before something serious happens- best of luck

[richard25 0]

It really is impossible for anyone on the internet to give you a difinative answer as we cant see your dog & are relying on your side of the story without seeing the whole picture but like others said it does sound like something to do with your new dog??? how old is she now??? is she coming into season or just had one? the reason i ask as he could be trying to be protective over her???? the one thing that can be certain though is the fact he believes his obviously above certain people in the house & i would start getting others to feed him do lots of OB & just generally getting other people in the family to do more work with him for him to see his place, and another major thing could be getting him checked by a vet just to rule out any medical problems

 

I would have a look into programs like the n.i.l.i.f & i would difiniatly not give him more attention.

 

Where does him & the other dog sleep at night? are they allowed on couches? do they barge past & jump up on family members???? just a few questions lol

 

Where abouts you from???? if your near london i would love to have a look at your dog.

 

Now you noticed what is going on you can fix it & keep on the ball with him & if your prepared to put in the work anything is possible.

 

Good luck & keep us informed

Edited March 10, 2009 by richard25

[Doglost Co-Ordinator 4]

Have you tried taking them seperately?? If you can please do & see if his behaviour is the same. Its unusual for boxers to be aggresive but he may now feel he has to protect you.

Be re adjusting the pack & balance & he should calm again. I would also castrate him if he's not already done.

I've got similar issue with my alsation/grey, towards older men-got to work with him on it

[blaev 1]

The pecking order thing does seem to make sense, the patterdale is 7 months old now and has been getting a lot of attention. We have 3 dogs, a 14 yr old lab, the boxer and the patt. In the pecking order the boxer was top dog until the patt came along, as soon as she grew past the small puppy stage she started playing rough with both of the others, eventually she's established herself as quite dominant over them. She's confident and very cocky for example she will bite the boxer on his chops until he's properly going for her and then she runs rings around him, barking - almost as if she's winding him up on purpose. I've seen her nip underneath him, zip through his back legs and bite his balls from behind! She makes sure she's the first in front of the fire at night and will growl and snap at the others if they try to get her out of the way. She's feisty, for sure. Have to say that generally they do seem to get on well though as long as she's getting her own way.

 

The boxer and the lab sleep together in the living room, the patterdale sleeps in a cage in the kitchen. We have thought about letting her have the run of the house now because she's fully housetrained and has stopped doing anything in the cage but she likes the kids toys too much and will chew any she can get hold of so we've held back for now. The two big dogs have never been allowed on the furniture or upstairs, she is allowed on the settee as she's small. So there's definitely "preferential" treatment going on to an extent although I do try and keep it fair, each dog getting the same treats etc.

 

I will take the advice given and try to make more fuss of the boxer, that makes sense. Maybe his nose is just a bit out of joint. He does look pissed off, it has to be said! The lab is so crippled with arthritis he can't walk far, so I always took them out seperately, the lab for a short walk and then the boxer for a long one. The patt is now coming on the long walks and is allowed off the lead as soon as we get into open countryside. She recalls easily and is always well behaved - loves other dogs/people and goes out of her way to get on with them, for example if we are passing a house with a dog barking at the gate she will approach it in a really submissive way and try and make friends whereas the boxer will just try and rip them to bits. He has even knocked a gate off it's hinges to get at a dog when it's barked at him.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments, much appreciated. We are in Lincs by the way.

[Doglost Co-Ordinator 4]

It does sound like the patt has been allowed the chance to make herself top dog, try redressing it- maybe allow her off lead for a bit, then put her back on & allow boxer off instead. He's now mixed up as he's gone from maybe been favorite to been a nobody. Unintentionally but she will have been small & cuddly so everyone makes more fuss, chasing the boxer & nipping him probably seemed funny -just not to him. I'd stop the been allowed to bite before he turns & does her some damage as well.

If you had some little pip squeak come in take over your home, get best treatment & be allowed to keep giving you a slap eventually you'd snap & start trying to get your own back.

 

Try to re -establish his place in the pack before she's much older, maybe use a muzzle as well. Take him on his own so he has time with you without been tormented. It will do them both good.

Hope you manage to sort it.