Aggression while Traveling...help!

[NyLa'smommie]

I have two boxer's a Male who is 17 months and a Female 16 month old. We have taken them on long car rides and vacations (staying in hotels) ever since we got them each at 9 weeks old. They are very well socialized and usually very good on trips. However, the last two car trips we went on one from New York to Tennesse and the other from New York to Florida, both by car were very tough! I understand that traveling is a very stressful situation for both the dogs and the people but the aggressive factor here is worrying me. Although neither one has ever bit a person on these last two trips, Nyla my female and usually the calmer of the two began to go nuts! she was lunging and barking at people and almost became to hard for me to control. The male who exibited more of that kind of behavior when he was younger seemed to have grown out of it except when someone comes near the car, at a rest stop or something..he jumps and barks at the window so hard I think he's going to go through it. I know they are stressed and everythign smells/looks different and I know it is an instinctive and protective behavior but I feel like it's not normal. I am definately going to seek professional help I.E. training..but is there anything I can do in the mean time?


With the female I give her the command quiet and when she stops barking I give her a treat...but it hasen't been working. I also have a choke collar on her and no matter how I tug on it she still lunges and barks. She does know the heal command and it works about 60% of the time to keep her at my side but she still barks. In fact a couple walking down the street asked to pet her and I warned that she has not been friendly but they still wanted to see her so the man petted her and she wagged her tail let him pet her for about 10 seconds then she backed up barked and even nipped at him. Thankfully it was only a nip and nothing serious and the man understood, but I am soo scared that if something ever were to happen that my baby would be taken away from me!...she is normally the sweetest girl. Could it be just from travelling?

sorry this is so long! any advice is appreciated. Like I said I am seeking professional help for the saftey of my dog, myself and others!

thanks
-Michelle and Nyla

 

[NyLa'smommie]

I forgot to mention that when the female nipped the man I am almost positive it was not in a playful manner because her bark was not a playful one but more of a "get away from my mother" kind of bark.

 

[Net45582]

I would contact a behaviorist instead of a trainer. Good luck

 

[gmacleod]

Definitely find yourself a behaviourist (that is, a behavioural modification specialist, not just a "trainer"). They can work with you to modify your dog's behaviour - to identify triggers, help you with techniques, and to give you feedback on which of your actions is helping and which are hindering your efforts. There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum entitled "Aggression Issues" which has some excellent links to help you find an appropriately qualified person to assist you.

I would also strongly suggest throwing that choke collar in the trash where it belongs. Quite aside from the damage it can (almost certainly WILL do to your dog), aggression begets aggression. And pain is only going to make an upset dog more defensive. In short, you tugging on the end of that is simply going to make things worse.

 

[NyLa'smommie]

Thank you for your replies!

Ya know the choke collar is pretty new and I only use it while traveling but I was very hesitant to put it on her at all because I felt like it must be hurting her. After reading your response I will not be using this collar anymore!! I know plenty of people use them with no problem but it isn't helping anyway so its senseless to keep using it!

Thanks again

 

[gmacleod]

Good And do get some help from a behaviourist - even if it's possible to get on top of things all on your own, it's a heck of a lot easier with help And an impartial obsever who can make qualified suggestions and give constructive feedback, having observed the behaviour in the first place can really be invaluable.

I know plenty of people use them with no problem ...

You think? There have been several studies done into the effects of those things. One in particular, which involved post-mortem investigation, found that 96% of dogs whose owners used choke collars had tracheal and spinal injuries as a result. 96%!! And we're not talking about people who abused the device either.

 

[NyLa'smommie]

Wow! I am shocked to hear that!...I mean obviously by the nature of the collar pulling so tight on the neck I figured it couldn't be good...but 96% injuries!! Those things should be taken off the market!