Aggression?

[RosieandLAS]

Okay, so Rosie is 10 months old. For the most part she is a good dog aside from the hyperness and the occasional destroying of things. Well the other day I guess she nipped at my neighbor. I wasn't there but my dad was, and I guess my neighbor, whom I don't know and is pretty new, stuck her hand through the fence to try and pet Rosie and she nipped at her. This has kind of got me worried, because Rosie will sometimes growl at people she doesn't know but she has never really nipped at anyone aside from when I took her to Petsmart to see Santa, she was not happy when he tried to grab he harness, but that was probably because she had a bad experience when the lady at petsmart was helping me fit her in a harness a while ago.

She has never been aggressive with me or anyone, and she is so loveable. I just worry that this might be turning into aggression, but part of my thinks it was just a weird situation for my neighbor to stick her hand through the fence and try to pet her. I wouldn't do that with her dogs, whom btw are not in a fence! Also is growling always bad?

Tthanks for your input!

 

[Althea]

I'm going to put myself out on a limb, and I may get smacked for this. But what the heck is the dog supposed to do? Some person she doesn't know very well sticks her hand through the fence?! First off, what moron does that? Second, what do we want from dogs? We want them to guard our house, defend us in the case of an intruder, love our kids and family members...yet never bite the wrong person. That's an awfully tall order.

Aggression is when they viciously go after something with the intent (as much as a dog can have) to harm. That is a HUGE difference between protecting and warning someone. To me, this isn't aggression at all, but a good warning to someone whom your pooch didn't know very well. She didn't bite and hang on, she didn't lunch after the neighbor...she warned her. To me, that's a good dog.

:stepping off soap box:

 

[avaboxer]

just a note

It is normal for dogs to protect their terrirtory. That being said, I had the most lovable labrador ever when I was a teenager. He was very alert, kind, and playful with children and adults he knew. He never bit anyone, but he would growl if I was uncomfortable or if he was unsure of a person. He gave off a warning growl. Since she just growled that means she was saying back off. If she showed teeth, I would be a little more worried, but not alarmed. My lab showed teeth if he was scarred or unsure and some stupid hired hands on the farm would still come near him; he would look at me for guidance most of the time and make sure I wasn't going to be harmed.

 

[Jan]

I have to agree with Althea. Your neighbor got what she deserved. You don't really want her being agressive to you neighbors though, so I would get them properly introduced. Maybe give your neighbor some treats to give her.

Good luck!

 

[LILYLARUE]

It's a territorial thing. Buster is the most loving, affectionate dog with anyone. But walk up to the car and try to pet his head as it's out the window and you will lose your hand for sure!

If there is a boundry between your dog and a stranger, the dog will protect his side. Wouldn't you if a stranger was at your front door and when you opened it he stuck his arm or leg into your house? Same thing, except dogs will react without much thought.

 

[Kilby'sMum]

Yep, have to chime in here that you're puppy is doing exactly what I would expect of her...protecting her home and family. What sort of fool puts their hand through a fence...

 

[larrygs]

Ditto. In addition, you said "nipped" I assume that means the dumb neighbor wasn't actually "bit", ie broke the skin,something a boxer could certainly do if it intended to. If that is the case, then who knows what actually occurred? Your puppy could have been giving a warning, and used discretion. Or she even could have been playing, lunging at the hand.

Saying all that, you probably will need to keep an eye on things for awhile. It is all too easy for some people to label a dog as aggressive. That could lead to future problems.

You also asked if growling is always bad. Boxers are rather vocal, and often growl when playing. Growling is also used to communicate a warning. I can't think of when growling is ever bad.

What is bad are those dogs who react and attack without warning or provocation.

 

[RosieandLAS]

Thanks everyone for the replies, sorry I'm late responding back. I agree it was stupid for my neighbor to just stick her hand through the fence and try and pet her. This is my first boxer and she if definitely different then the previous to labs I had! We also have a little Schnauzer/terrier mix who we kind of rescued and he has bit people before and broke skin before but never to bad, we think he was abused before and specifically by children, but who knows! He hasn't bit anyone in a long time and we don't let little kids bother him.

My boxer can sometimes be really skittish around people, which is weird because I really tried to socialize her a lot when she was younger. She likes to growl at people and things but doesn't show her teeth and has never gone after anyone.

I tend to be a natural worrier and I am new to this breed so I appreciate the feedback very much. I do love her to death though, all the trouble and destruction she has done has totally been worth it! LOL!