RoxieDog
Boxer Pal
I have a male fawn boxer that will be 2 years in May. I rescued him from a very abusive and neglected home. His previous owner would often leave him in the back yard for 5 to 7 days at a time with 10 bowls of food and 10 bowls of water. The owner decided to move and left the dog in the back yard. We are unsure how long he was there, but he was very malnourished and under weight. His bone structure was very visible when I got him. I have a 12 year old female brindle (rescue as a pup) and was called by the friend that found the dog. He was wearing a collar with a rabies tag, so I was able to get the vet records, he is cut. I have had him since early November 2005.
He is a wonderful dog, very affectionate and very attention seeking. He will often “force” you to pet him. I have taken him to obedience class (10 weeks) locally and he did well some days and was very stubborn other days. He will sit, down, drop but does not always respond to come.
However, he has always been somewhat scared of certain “types” of individuals – possibly looking like his previous master I am not sure. He barks, growls, and lunges very viciously toward them.
Last weekend on Saturday, I took him to the dog park as usual. He played for about 15 minutes with several dogs. Then, he snapped. He tried to kill a golden retriever. He went for the dog’s throat and would not let go. The golden’s owner and I were able to pull them apart with some blood shed. I muzzled him and walked him on a leash to the other end of the park, so my other boxer could still play. He was fine and played and rolled over for me to love on him. As we were leaving, he went for the golden again. Once he was to the truck, he was okay again. He never showed any aggression to me or my other boxer.
We then went to the pet store for a dog bath. I had the other dog washed first and then put him in for his bath. He was fine then entire time; sweet to everyone he came in contact with. When the owner (who washed him) brought him outside to dry him off like he has every other week since I got him, he turned on him and went toward his face. I had his leash and was able to circumvent the lunge, however when I pulled him back he continued to go toward the owner with a very vicious growl and bark. He has never done this before.
Sunday, I had him in the house and he rammed his body into my glass front door barking/growling/etc. after a young girl (10 years) playing on the sidewalk in front of my house. I had to close the front door and he still continued to bark/growl/etc at the door.
I am very upset and don’t know what to do. I called the vet and talked to them, they think I should put him down. He is a great dog one-on-one but he really scares me out in public after this weekend. I live in a very populated neighborhood with a fenced in backyard. He has jumped the fence once before going after a cat (it is 5 feet high)!!!!!!!!!
Is this a case where he needs to be euthanized? I am very upset at that thought, however I am more afraid that he has the potential to seriously harm someone.
Please forward me any advice. I am desperate. HELP!!
Thank you - RoxieDog's MOM
He is a wonderful dog, very affectionate and very attention seeking. He will often “force” you to pet him. I have taken him to obedience class (10 weeks) locally and he did well some days and was very stubborn other days. He will sit, down, drop but does not always respond to come.
However, he has always been somewhat scared of certain “types” of individuals – possibly looking like his previous master I am not sure. He barks, growls, and lunges very viciously toward them.
Last weekend on Saturday, I took him to the dog park as usual. He played for about 15 minutes with several dogs. Then, he snapped. He tried to kill a golden retriever. He went for the dog’s throat and would not let go. The golden’s owner and I were able to pull them apart with some blood shed. I muzzled him and walked him on a leash to the other end of the park, so my other boxer could still play. He was fine and played and rolled over for me to love on him. As we were leaving, he went for the golden again. Once he was to the truck, he was okay again. He never showed any aggression to me or my other boxer.
We then went to the pet store for a dog bath. I had the other dog washed first and then put him in for his bath. He was fine then entire time; sweet to everyone he came in contact with. When the owner (who washed him) brought him outside to dry him off like he has every other week since I got him, he turned on him and went toward his face. I had his leash and was able to circumvent the lunge, however when I pulled him back he continued to go toward the owner with a very vicious growl and bark. He has never done this before.
Sunday, I had him in the house and he rammed his body into my glass front door barking/growling/etc. after a young girl (10 years) playing on the sidewalk in front of my house. I had to close the front door and he still continued to bark/growl/etc at the door.
I am very upset and don’t know what to do. I called the vet and talked to them, they think I should put him down. He is a great dog one-on-one but he really scares me out in public after this weekend. I live in a very populated neighborhood with a fenced in backyard. He has jumped the fence once before going after a cat (it is 5 feet high)!!!!!!!!!
Is this a case where he needs to be euthanized? I am very upset at that thought, however I am more afraid that he has the potential to seriously harm someone.
Please forward me any advice. I am desperate. HELP!!
Thank you - RoxieDog's MOM
