Dog trainers?

I think I've heard a couple of you out there say you're dog trainers. I was wondering if anyone should give me a little insight into the problem I'm having with my boxer. I have two other dogs that I had before her, and she was a rescue. She's for the most part obedient, and never aggressive towards humans. But during the last week, we've been notcing some aggressive tendencies toward other dogs. She's been attacking our other dogs, often where there is no initial agitation or badgering by our other dogs. This morning she attacked our puppy for standing in the doorway to the room. It's inexplicable and seems sudden. Our neighbor called us today as well, to ask us to keep her in the pen, because she's been biting one of their dogs. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make her more submissive in her interactions? This really can't continue. Thanks.

I have no suggestions at all. When our dalmation became aggressive (he was a rescue as well) our vet suggested we put him down as our youngest was just learning to walk at that time and her face was right at the level of his mouth. Hope you find a different solution to your situation. :hug:

Every time that he shows agression...be it subtle as posturing...or as obvious as snarling/biting you need to lay your dog down....and roll him on his back...pin him...

You need to teach him that it is okay to be submissive, and dominant behaviors are not acceptable. Hold him down gently....and only release and praise once he has calmed down...just keep at it.

Good luck!

-Jason

Jball I'll give that a try.

Euthanasia is NOT an option.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Euthanasia is NOT an option.

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That makes 2 of us, Im glad to see that I'm not the only one who feels that way.

I hope she comes around for you ;) Just don't give up on her

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Jball I'll give that a try.

Euthanasia is NOT an option.

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It worked pretty well with my Shar Pei.... although in the long run we had to legally have him euthanized...or get sued...and they'd euthanize him anyway.:( A neighbor had entered our home when we were gone...he was definitely a territorial dog...he bit the neighbor....

I will never ever give up on a dog, I also agree euthanasia is not an option for me...dogs aren't bad creatures...they just need gentle training, guidance, and socialization. There are people that should not own dogs...

well I don't understand how it got bad enough for euthanasia??? sorry to hear that though. but I've heard a lot about what jason is talking about especially since dogs are pack animals they respond well to displays of dominance, which is what it sounds like your dog is doing, she's showing the puppy that she's the matriarch.
hope she can be made less of a dominant individual because I have tried the whole, I'm dominant thing as jason said with a very large lab x rotti and he just doesn't want any part he'll just start nipping and flailing, but i don't know.
good luck

It's just so sudden that her behavior has changed... And she's still very sweet towards people. I'm really going to have to stay on her to make sure. I really don't want to screw up what we have in this neighborhood -- all of our dogs run loose most of the time and the neighbors don't mind having this and this person's dogs in their yards, etc... And this would be just the thing to make that no longer possible.

I'm trying to think of some dominance exercises I could try.... I was thinking about feeding the two other dogs first, and as jball suggested, putting her in the submissive position when I detect that sort of aggression happening... Any other suggestions?

i don't think its an overall dog issue, i think she's just jealous of the new brat taking up space in her house

One thought. Is she spayed? If she's coming into heat her behavior is bound to change towards other dogs...especially towards males.

She was just spayed about two months ago. And she's the most "recent" brat addition to the house. Something that just started yesterday: she's lunging at dogs while she's on a leash. Our dog just walked past her and she went nuts. It took my boyfriend a while to separate them, and in doing so got some nails and claws to the arm. :( This morning walking her out she did this TWICE.

You need professional help. Agression is not a "Oh how can I fix this" sort of problem. Euthesia is sometimes the only solution with a dog that is out of control aggressive especially when children are involved and you don't want her to get to that point.

Boxers are generally very hardheaded dogs and you and your husband need to be in charge, which at this point you are not. She is maturing(at 2 years, this is often the stage that some breeds start having issues as they move from the submissive puppy to the adult responsible role)

You need to start walking her and making her stay beside you or behind you, and walking or running a lot so she gets plenty of exercise. You should make sure she doesn't go through doors first, make sure she doesn't ever walk in front of you, feed her only after she has preformed for you. You have to be the "One in charge" and putting the dog on the floor in a submissive hold WITHOUT doing all of the other stuff is only going to start a fight.

She sees you guys are her underlings, and that means SHE has to be in charge and she has to protect you guys from other dogs, and she has to put the other dogs in their place.

Frankly I don't believe in letting dogs run loose in a neighborhood. It's irresponsible. You don't know what they get into, they can be in the street and get hit by cars, get into dogfights and injured or injure other dogs. How many times have we all heard someone crying that their dog got hit by car? Dogs don't belong in the road. She is a extra problem because she'll go get her "fix" of alpha-ness elsewhere and continue to be a problem at home when she comes home and wants to continue to be a alpha at home.

Understand I'm not trying to "be mean" or "diss you" or whatever. You asked for advice and I'm giving you the same advice I've told a bunch of others. You can ignore it, you can try keeping her away from the other dogs, you can hope she'll grow out of it. But all those have the high percentage of probality that she will get worse until she starts biting you guys. Then you will have to have her put down, or you'll lock her in a room or chain her by herself in a yard, which to me is NOT preferable to putting the animal down. She isn't at that stage yet, so curb the behaviors now before it gets that bad.

You have to modify YOUR behavior so you and your husband can regain control. Then she should easily settle into a great dog who will want to please you. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

You need professional help. Agression is not a "Oh how can I fix this" sort of problem. Euthesia is sometimes the only solution with a dog that is out of control aggressive especially when children are involved and you don't want her to get to that point.

Boxers are generally very hardheaded dogs and you and your husband need to be in charge, which at this point you are not. She is maturing(at 2 years, this is often the stage that some breeds start having issues as they move from the submissive puppy to the adult responsible role)

You need to start walking her and making her stay beside you or behind you, and walking or running a lot so she gets plenty of exercise. You should make sure she doesn't go through doors first, make sure she doesn't ever walk in front of you, feed her only after she has preformed for you. You have to be the "One in charge" and putting the dog on the floor in a submissive hold WITHOUT doing all of the other stuff is only going to start a fight.

She sees you guys are her underlings, and that means SHE has to be in charge and she has to protect you guys from other dogs, and she has to put the other dogs in their place.

Frankly I don't believe in letting dogs run loose in a neighborhood. It's irresponsible. You don't know what they get into, they can be in the street and get hit by cars, get into dogfights and injured or injure other dogs. How many times have we all heard someone crying that their dog got hit by car? Dogs don't belong in the road. She is a extra problem because she'll go get her "fix" of alpha-ness elsewhere and continue to be a problem at home when she comes home and wants to continue to be a alpha at home.

Understand I'm not trying to "be mean" or "diss you" or whatever. You asked for advice and I'm giving you the same advice I've told a bunch of others. You can ignore it, you can try keeping her away from the other dogs, you can hope she'll grow out of it. But all those have the high percentage of probality that she will get worse until she starts biting you guys. Then you will have to have her put down, or you'll lock her in a room or chain her by herself in a yard, which to me is NOT preferable to putting the animal down. She isn't at that stage yet, so curb the behaviors now before it gets that bad.

You have to modify YOUR behavior so you and your husband can regain control. Then she should easily settle into a great dog who will want to please you. Good luck.

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Okay obviously I am going to keep her from the other dogs. Oh by the way, she is approaching if not about a year old. And I think you sort of misunderstood our neighborhood's attitude towards dogs. It's not total mayhem, and it isn't a huge traffic area. All of the dogs are fixed, and the dogs are only loose during the day (we do not have a completed fence, which is another reason why) during work. The dogs stay near the house, and we try to work together to fix problems such as this when they occur.

We're going to do a lot of research, call some trainers in the area, and start walking her on a leash doing the things suggested. I honestly think the worst that could happen is giving her up for adoption, letting a new owner know that she needs to be an ONLY dog. But I don't give up easy, and I'm going to put my all into this. It is a very new situation for me, because inside the house/not on a leash, she shows us respect, follows commands, overall "listens". A big part of this is going to be working outside with our dogs and on leashes. SO, keep your fingers crossed for me!

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to wolfy-hound again."

Brilliant stuff. Dogs should not run loose, it's asking for trouble.
There are no neighborhoods or environments that are exempt.

Don't believe me? Come look in the freezer at work and I'll point out all the ones who had owners who believed that they didn't need a fence.

Get a trainer before you or somebody else gets bitten, or you wind up paying the vet bills when she shreds somebody else's dog. This dog needs professional help, now, before any of these behaviors become any more ingrained than they already are. Be prepared to pay for it too, one-on-one training sessions aren't cheap but it's what she needs at this point.

And if you can't fix it, you might as well put her down. Despite what you may think, there are no wonderful single-dog homes with responsible comitted owners just -dying- to open their arms and hearts to a problem-child. We don't even have enough homes for gentle, well-behaved, well-trained dogs up for adoption.

Ok. While I appreciate the advice. Seriously, will you guys take it easy? I have literally known this was a problem for THREE days now. And now you're talking about me putting my dog down, as well as telling me I'm an awful owner.

We are warning you that it is potentially a HUGE problem that will cause it to be necesary for you to put your dog down. We both want this curbed early so that doesn't happen. No one said you are a aweful owner. We both warned you that dogs don't need to run loose as it is dangerous to the dogs. That's fact. There is no good reason for a dog to run loose.
The fact is, an aggressive dog is a serious issue that I personally have seen go bad quickly. How many times have YOU heard of some small child mauled by a dog? I would LOVE to see that NEVER occur. A dog running loose that is having aggression issues is a time bomb frankly. If your dog jumps another dog in someone else's yard(no matter how close to you it is) and some kid tries to seperate them, and gets bitten, then it's all over. And it can happen really quickly. I wanted to help you avoid that. Sorry you take it as attacking for me to give you advice.

I'm not taking it as attacking, just a bit harsh. But read my posts. She is NO LONGER loose, she's in a kennel and being walked on a leash. I literally choked up reading those two posts back to back pretty much saying you're going to have to put her down. I have lived on a farm all of my life and dealt with a multitude of different animals; i'm not ignorant -- as I said, I am GOING to get help. My dog is lunging at my other dogs, and I want to emphasize her previous home was with two small children with absolutely no problems. I know you're probably going to say something about that, but it's hard to convey that to you when you've never met or spent time with the dog. She is a gentle dog towards humans, my issue is with this aggression towards other dogs, which having read on a few different Boxer forums today, I realize is a common problem. I need support right now, not to be told that I need to put my dog down. I really do appreciate you guys' experience and input but understand how I'm feeling right now... I feel guilty, I feel responsible, I feel like :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:, and since she is a rescue I really want to make our home work for her. I will exhaust EVERY option, no matter how hopeless you might consider it, before even entertaining the idea of euthanasia.

amy, i think the best thing to do is call some local trainers. maybe they can give you advice in alittle less harsh of a manner, and help this pup be a loving and gentle part of your family that you want it to be..

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Originally Posted by jar2476

amy, i think the best thing to do is call some local trainers. maybe they can give you advice in alittle less harsh of a manner, and help this pup be a loving and gentle part of your family that you want it to be..

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Thank you :hug:. I plan to call around to some trainers and behaviorists in my area tomorrow.

best of luck with that...I think with a good trainer things will work out for you and the dog.:love:

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Thank you :hug:. I plan to call around to some trainers and behaviorists in my area tomorrow.

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I am not trying to attack you, I am trying to convey to you the severity of this problem.

I would also like to point that saying she had no problems in a previous home doesn't really count if she was only a puppy at the time...most agression problems occur as dogs reach maturity and start pushing the boundaries. Whether or not she's agressive to people now, she could still accidentally bite somebody breaking up a fight. I know people whith small dogs who have been severely bitten when they lifted the small dogs above their heads to save them from an attacking dog.

I'm glad that you're getting a trainer for her, and I sincerely hope that it all works out. Boxers are a great breed in general and I'd hate to see one get put down if it can be avoided.

do you think that this was the BEST way to convey that to concearnd owner?? sounds alittle harsh to me.:2cent: ...just sayin..

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Originally Posted by slartibartfast

I am not trying to attack you, I am trying to convey to you the severity of this problem.

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Don't believe me? Come look in the freezer at work and I'll point out all the ones who had owners who believed that they didn't need a fence.

Yeah that's what I'm saying. I'm saying I'm gonna get my help for my dog and you start talking about freezers. That's awful.

Bingo.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Yeah that's what I'm saying. I'm saying I'm gonna get my help for my dog and you start talking about freezers. That's awful.

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amy,

have you tried reading any of cesar millan's books? my girl friend lent me one of his books "cesar's way" the natural, everyday guide to understanding and correcting common dog problems.

perhaps it can assist you. i was watching his show on national geographic channel tonight and they had an aggressive dog which calmed down in an afternoon! he had the owner relax and become alpha... and that's all it took.

:hug: hope this works out for you. our experience was one which unfortunately didn't have a positive behavioral outcome.

all the best,
aleesha

oh and his show is called 'dog whisperer'

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

amy,

have you tried reading any of cesar millan's books? my girl friend lent me one of his books "cesar's way" the natural, everyday guide to understanding and correcting common dog problems.

perhaps it can assist you. i was watching his show on national geographic channel tonight and they had an aggressive dog which calmed down in an afternoon! he had the owner relax and become alpha... and that's all it took.

:hug: hope this works out for you. our experience was one which unfortunately didn't have a positive behavioral outcome.

all the best,
aleesha

oh and his show is called 'dog whisperer'

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Aleesha, I have been watching the hell out of some Dog Whisperer this weekend!!!! Isn't he amazing? He shows up and it's almost like there wasn't even a problem to begin with. I will definetly check out the book. Thanks! :hug:

you are so welcome. i thought of you the entire show!!!

i'm very proud of you for trying to fix this behaviour instead of just giving up. good for you!!!

lucky dog!

i wish there were more people like you on here aleesha....just sayin.. im gonna have to check out this show myself, cuz puppy is getting to be a little....well he needs to know im the boss...haha

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

you are so welcome. i thought of you the entire show!!!

i'm very proud of you for trying to fix this behaviour instead of just giving up. good for you!!!

lucky dog!

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I used to watch that show like a mofo! Haven't watched it in a while though. I heart Daddy!!!

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Originally Posted by jar2476

i wish there were more people like you on here aleesha....just sayin.. im gonna have to check out this show myself, cuz puppy is getting to be a little....well he needs to know im the boss...haha

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thanks joe. i know i was watching for my pup. i figure why not fix problems before they appear. it was just a wonderful bonus that his show was on an aggressive dog.

:D

do you have a day and time these shows are on?

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

thanks joe. i know i was watching for my pup. i figure why not fix problems before they appear. it was just a wonderful bonus that his show was on an aggressive dog.

:D

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Originally Posted by daaangconcepts

i used to watch that show like a mofo.


stopped though..

it got old

he does have a lot of pitbulls in his "pack"

i love daddy.

you'll see him if you start to watch it.

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i saw daddy... he's ADORABLE!!!

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Originally Posted by jar2476

do you have a day and time these shows are on?

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no but national geographic should have the dates and times. it was on tonight (so sunday) at 7pm Seattle time zone.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i saw daddy... he's ADORABLE!!!

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Heck Aleesha! You caught my opps post!! Your way too fast!! :oops: :O :oops:

thanks, i'll hav eto watch for it, and dvr it...

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

no but national geographic should have the dates and times. it was on tonight (so sunday) at 7pm Seattle time zone.

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i'm the queen of speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed :P (read my sign line) :rofl:

joe

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co.../dogwhisperer/

as i did susan, per my pm to you....lol:P

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Originally Posted by daaangconcepts

Heck Aleesha! You caught my opps post!! Your way too fast!! :oops: :O :oops:

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aleesha you rock, thank you, as my dvr will be set for fridays at 8....lol:rockon:

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

joe

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co.../dogwhisperer/

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:rockon:

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Originally Posted by jar2476

as i did susan, per my pm to you....lol:P

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Nope. Aleesha was quicker. :P

She caught my original, you caught my "opps" post while I tried to edit it. :oops:

Not sure what I was thinking (as per my pm to you....lol :P )

what was wrong with your post??? seems fine to me :P

:rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by daaangconcepts

Nope. Aleesha was quicker. :P

She caught my original, you caught my "opps" post while I tried to edit it. :oops:

Not sure what I was thinking (as per my pm to you....lol :P )

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

what was wrong with your post??? seems fine to me :P

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:oops:

For some reason I thought I was replying to a PM from Joe. :rolleye2:

hahahaha either too much or not enough coffee!!!

it happens...but i just havent seen it happen.....hahaha:P

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Originally Posted by daaangconcepts

:oops:

For some reason I thought I was replying to a PM from Joe. :rolleye2:

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The freezer comment was referring to the dog running loose. I suspect that she(like me) has seen plenty of dogs dead, injured to the point of death and put down after being allowed to run loose. Which she stated wasn't a concern, despite the fact that NOW the dog is crated.
quote: and the dogs are only loose during the day (we do not have a completed fence, which is another reason why) during work. The dogs stay near the house,
Endquote

It's harsh for me to state the truth in this matter, but hugging the OP and saying, "Oh you poor thing", isn't going to help the dog either.
Neither of us said we wanted the dog put down, we BOTH said we wanted the dog helped BEFORE you had it.
You posted wanting advice, and were given it. Just because I didn't hold your hand and say "Oh honey, it's all fine" doesn't mean I'm unconcerned. If I was unconcerned I'd of ignored the thread.
I don't cosset people, and I don't sugarcoat stuff when it concerns an animal's safety. Cesear Milan's stuff is amazing BUT it only works when applied over all, and consistantly and forever. You can't make the dog behave for a day or two, then go back to how things were, and not expect the behavior to resurface. That's what he preachs, but lots of his viewers overlook that.
He'd also be the first to tell you, walking is not enough exercise especially for a active breed like a boxer, so I hope you are doing more than walking and crating. Using his techniques consistantly and forever should give you a wonderful pet that will be happy and healthy and well-adjusted.

With responses like that I'm sorry I posted. I really don't need tough love. I understand the seriousness of the situation and I don't know how to make it clearer that I am taking action.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

With responses like that I'm sorry I posted. I really don't need tough love. I understand the seriousness of the situation and I don't know how to make it clearer that I am taking action.

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Please understand where I'm coming from. I work at a veterinary ER where I see hit by car dogs just about every night. They come in broken, bleeding, maimed...often irreperably. And the ones that we can save usually cost so much to fix that the owners put them down anyway.

During the client interview to establish a case history, I always ask them "How did the dog get out?" and the majority of the time people say "Oh, we don't need a fence because he never roams/we live in the country/it's a really quiet neighborhood". It's a cop-out, a failure to take responsibility for this animal they have chosen to care for.

I have personally handled and euthanized hundreds of hit-by-car animals. I've got pictures I could show you...legs peeled off, splintered bones, a dog with no face left, a dog with a flat head and brains oozing out the ears, a dog who's guts fell out when we lifted him out of the car. All of that suffering and death preventable, if the people had just kept them home.

So don't tell me that it's okay that they run loose because in your neighborhood nobody ever speeds and no dog ever leaves that miraculously safe zone. I don't buy it, and if it's my neighborhood and I catch your dog loose, you can find her at the pound.

That sounds harsh, and it is...because their safety is worth it.

PS: Daddy rocks my world, and Cesar is even hotter in person. :D

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Originally Posted by slartibartfast

Please understand where I'm coming from. I work at a veterinary ER where I see hit by car dogs just about every night. They come in broken, bleeding, maimed...often irreperably. And the ones that we can save usually cost so much to fix that the owners put them down anyway.

During the client interview to establish a case history, I always ask them "How did the dog get out?" and the majority of the time people say "Oh, we don't need a fence because he never roams/we live in the country/it's a really quiet neighborhood". It's a cop-out, a failure to take responsibility for this animal they have chosen to care for.

I have personally handled and euthanized hundreds of hit-by-car animals. I've got pictures I could show you...legs peeled off, splintered bones, a dog with no face left, a dog with a flat head and brains oozing out the ears, a dog who's guts fell out when we lifted him out of the car. All of that suffering and death preventable, if the people had just kept them home.

So don't tell me that it's okay that they run loose because in your neighborhood nobody ever speeds and no dog ever leaves that miraculously safe zone. I don't buy it, and if it's my neighborhood and I catch your dog loose, you can find her at the pound.

That sounds harsh, and it is...because their safety is worth it.

PS: Daddy rocks my world, and Cesar is even hotter in person. :D

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Jess, I don't know what else to say. I keep saying I'm trying to remedy the problem, I'm trying to get the fence repaired, I'm kenneling the dogs. I don't need the scare tactics, and frankly, it's pretty much making me sick to my stomach. I've had dogs that were hit by cars before. I grew up on a farm, I've seen gore, I've seen favorite animals maimed and reduced to something unrecognizable due to trauma. I really don't need to be 'scared straight.' I don't need to SEE PICTURES, why would you even say that?? I don't know what to say to you -- I accept responsibility for what has happened and I'm trying to set things right.