Dog Trouble

jrochie

Hi All,

Have a problem with my dog, she's a cross between a lab and boxer, 5 years old. She really friendly with people and especially kids, but has a very vicious streak as regards out dogs, particularly other female dogs. Ive had her since she was about 3 months old and growing up she was always very friendly with other dogs, my brother next door had a little dog and they were very good together.
Its been happening over the past couple of years though, if I'm walking her and she sees another dog, again particularly other bitches, she goes for them. She is very strong and has broken away from me a few times.
I don't really know when this started. She was neutered about 3 years ago, maybe 4 I can't properly remember.
Have ye any advice as to what I could do with her?

Thanks

buttercup21

I can totally understand your frustration, my dog was the same - fine with the dogs at home but dare we step outside she was a lil tyront. Have you tried dog training? I found it worked wonders with my bitch, she learnt the commands and the most effective word "NO!" By allowing her to pull and go mad is an issue, you need to be the dominent one, assert authority - she is your dog, not the other way around. By showing her (pointing finger and shout NO in your angry voice) that will help correct her. By no means lift your hand or beat her but by your body language and tone of voice she'll see you're angry and should stop her from going for other dogs.

Sadly these cases the issue is us and not so much the dog, we need to remain calm and in control, if not the dog will dominate you. even small things can help in the start - take her favourite toy along or a chew ball and show it to her, take her mind off the other dogs, I started off by taking her favourite treat and showing her, once her focus was on me, she got the treat. if she ignored me I'd tell her NO, and start again. Its a process and it takes time but you'll get through it. best of luck.

olaola

Well you should definitely muzzle her when out and about. At least she won't be able to bite anyone if she does get away from you.

Bluefrog

Hey, I also have a 'boxador' female, just a year younger than yours and she has always been very interested in (though not aggressive towards) other dogs since I got her about 2 years ago. She's also neutered.

You are right, they're strong dogs and if they want to go somewhere they're pretty hard to stop but mine has been making progress so I figured I would share what I have found.

First, are you sure she has aggressive intent when she goes to meet other dogs? I think it is easy for people to misinterpret intentions when having to deal with such a large dog in the moment and also seeing the reaction of the other owner who is naturally maybe fearful of another large dog approaching, especially in what seems to be, an uncontrolled manner. I think it is vital that you establish that without doubt.

Apart from your brother's dog, has she been socialised with other dogs through her life, do guests bring dogs when they visit and does she meet other dogs in any other context than just seeing them on her walk. Do you ever give her the opportunity to stop and meet other dogs? If so, how does she behave? I found with mine that her interest in other dogs waned a lot when out walking if she met them in other contexts - I take her to the park where I know a group of people who let their dogs off to play together and that has made a huge difference. Other large dogs like boxers make especially good playmates as they can handle the boisterousness. Now obviously you need to pick your dogs and be sure about the first point above first before you go down this route.

On the walks, as the previous poster mentioned, focus is the key but the only way you will have a chance of getting that focus is if you learn to pre-empt situations. When I spot another dog coming now I immediately give her the 'walk on' command so she knows I am aware too of the other dogs and what I expect her to do. If she doesn't immediately surrender to that I reinforce the command with a touch, usually with my foot lightly on her hindquarters, just to stop her escalating to the point where there is no talking to her.

Obviously exercise is important for such a muscular dog and you're less likely to take her out if you spend your walk wondering if she's going to kick off and the problem is likely to grow as she sees less and less dogs so I think it is really worth while getting the advice of an expert who can actually see your dog in action around other dogs and tell you what is going on really with her.

One final thing, regarding what the previous poster said about shouting 'No' in your angry voice. I don't think that is actually going to be helpful. The shouting may get the dog's attention but will just as likely excite her more, not to mention it can reinforce any negative impression the other dog owner may have of you and their estimation of your ability to control the dog. Pre-empt calmly and reinforce with a light touch is definitely what has worked best for me.

jfk316

Watch the dog whisper His shows solved all my friends problems with their dogs....It sounds like your not the pack leader,the walk is where u gain most leadership...One problem may be that you may be unconsciously tensing the leash when approaching another dog,or feeling nervous,which the dog senses.You'll have to learn to be calm and assertive.Once your pet realizes that your in charge she will stop that behavior, also you have to anticipate her behaviour with a good touch to the neck or body to snap her out of the state of mind.

cloudy day

Unfortunately this can become a problem in boxers themselves,. Some of them can be independent minded and need firm controlled handling and traiing or it gets the better of them.

It's hard to discern aggression in boxers as they usually just lock their eyes on and stare, then all of a sudden, boom, they are gone. Usually when they start fighting they will not stop and have to be forceibly seperated.

You need to go back to basics with here and spend time every day with some training to remind her you are in charge and she must listen to you.

As she is such a strong dog you need something more than an ordinary collar, as she can put her strength into it and pull you along. Either a choke chain ( if you have experience) or similar. that way when she pulls, you check, then she hears what you are saying.

They are very good at locking their mind on something and blocking you out.

Try to find out if there are any classes in your area.

Bluefrog

That's really true about the way they lock in - both my boxer and boxador do it and I've talked to other boxer owners who say the same. This is why I was saying its a good idea to try and learn to anticipate it and redirect her attention before there's no going back, you will usually get an instant before she goes to defcon 4. If it gets to the stage of a battle of pulling, you're likely to lose.

Personally I favour collars that don't hurt unnecessarily and as said, when boxers go, they go regardless often of what they're doing to themselves in the process. The ones that change the dogs direction using their own force would be my preferred option though I know this is an ongoing debate here. The body harnesses seem to be less effective from what other owners tell me as the boxers tend to just lean forward into them and it actually gives them more power as they carry such weight in the front end anyway in the first place.

I still say get someone to check out the dog who is trained to identify real aggression and can instruct you how to deal with her properly. Watching a 30 minute TV show about dogs who may have very different issues is unlikely to help and if the dog really is aggressive could actually be dangerous.

I really think boxer lab X's are a great mix, surprised I don't see more of them around.