Robyn
Completely Boxer Crazy
As many of us often do, I wanted to come to my boxer family for some advice. You may remember, a few days back, a young girl approached me about the placement of her family's boxer. The doggie Mommy, a 17 year girl, is at a very busy time in her life. She has become very busy with her classes, clubs and working plus everything else that occupies your life at 17. As much as she loves Apollo, she feels that she is unable to give him everything that he needs. Her family is an active family who does the wonderful deed of fostering needy children in our community. Many babies have come and gone during the year that Apollo has been with the family and he has always been loving, patient and kind with his little housemates. I myself witnessed Apollo and a sweet 18 month old interact.
During my visit, Apollo did exhibit some odd behavior. He did not greet me with the customary boxer wiggles that I'm used to with Cooper and the other boxers I've been in contact. He did have some odd growly vocalizations but not an aggressive stance or other true signs of aggression. Even during this initial meeting, my feeling was not one of aggression but I could not put my finger on it what it was. The mother of the family then held Apollo's collar while we talked a bit. The little poodle had gotten into my lap in the meantime and Apollo again seemed to want to visit me. We agreed to let Apollo over, I was not afraid and was so excited to interact with this handsome boy. I was sitting onthe couch and he shook with me and then gave me some great kidney beans and seemed so happy as I talked to him excitedly and stroked his silky fur. He then got into my lap sort of and then I continued to talk to him and then he turned up unto my shoulders and grasped my shoulders and again started the odd vocalization. I calmly nudged his upper body onto the couch and in the meantime the poodle had come over and was barking and he did a dominate move with his paw over the poodle and while this was happening, the mother of the family had grasped his collar to pull him away. She had him go into a down stay which he did very well.
The mother explained that nothing like this had happened before and was just appalled and so upset. Meanwhile I could not figure out what in the heck HAD happened. It did not feel like aggression but more like dominance over me. I'm admittedly not the best person to evaluate a dog by any means. I have not been in many situations with dogs other than super friendly ones and I'm usually the kind of person that dogs just love. A bit later, I again asked her to allow Apollo to come over. This time, as soon as he put his paw on me, I assertively but gently said "Apollo, no, and nudged his paw off of me. He then turned around, backed up between my legs and sat down and acted like all other boxers I've ever seen. Happy and wiggly and just wanting love.
Apollo is not neutered and his doggie sister just had finished a heat cycle. This and other factors add stress to his life and may have contributed to his behavior. Because of his "odd" behavior, I realize he will not be a EASY placement. I really want to help this boy. His family is at the end of their rope apparently and I don't know how long they will be able to keep him. At this point, our rescue does not even have a suitable foster home. He is potentially dog aggressive, especially considering that he's not neutered. He probably needs to be evaluated by a behaviorist or some other equally dog savvy individual and put into a foster home where he can be further tested.
Does anyone have suggestions for help fostering or evaluating him in the MD, DE, lower PA area?
Or any possible reasons for his reaction to me?
During my visit, Apollo did exhibit some odd behavior. He did not greet me with the customary boxer wiggles that I'm used to with Cooper and the other boxers I've been in contact. He did have some odd growly vocalizations but not an aggressive stance or other true signs of aggression. Even during this initial meeting, my feeling was not one of aggression but I could not put my finger on it what it was. The mother of the family then held Apollo's collar while we talked a bit. The little poodle had gotten into my lap in the meantime and Apollo again seemed to want to visit me. We agreed to let Apollo over, I was not afraid and was so excited to interact with this handsome boy. I was sitting onthe couch and he shook with me and then gave me some great kidney beans and seemed so happy as I talked to him excitedly and stroked his silky fur. He then got into my lap sort of and then I continued to talk to him and then he turned up unto my shoulders and grasped my shoulders and again started the odd vocalization. I calmly nudged his upper body onto the couch and in the meantime the poodle had come over and was barking and he did a dominate move with his paw over the poodle and while this was happening, the mother of the family had grasped his collar to pull him away. She had him go into a down stay which he did very well.
The mother explained that nothing like this had happened before and was just appalled and so upset. Meanwhile I could not figure out what in the heck HAD happened. It did not feel like aggression but more like dominance over me. I'm admittedly not the best person to evaluate a dog by any means. I have not been in many situations with dogs other than super friendly ones and I'm usually the kind of person that dogs just love. A bit later, I again asked her to allow Apollo to come over. This time, as soon as he put his paw on me, I assertively but gently said "Apollo, no, and nudged his paw off of me. He then turned around, backed up between my legs and sat down and acted like all other boxers I've ever seen. Happy and wiggly and just wanting love.
Apollo is not neutered and his doggie sister just had finished a heat cycle. This and other factors add stress to his life and may have contributed to his behavior. Because of his "odd" behavior, I realize he will not be a EASY placement. I really want to help this boy. His family is at the end of their rope apparently and I don't know how long they will be able to keep him. At this point, our rescue does not even have a suitable foster home. He is potentially dog aggressive, especially considering that he's not neutered. He probably needs to be evaluated by a behaviorist or some other equally dog savvy individual and put into a foster home where he can be further tested.
Does anyone have suggestions for help fostering or evaluating him in the MD, DE, lower PA area?
Or any possible reasons for his reaction to me?
It could also be that the owners' obvious mistrust of the dog (holding his collar and dragging him away) is being reflected in his behavior. Also, perhaps there have been scuffles between him and the poodle and she didn't want you to see one. (I must say, though, that from the sounds of it that is one rude poodle!)