Boxing Boxer

[Bieshaar]

We have a beautiful 5 month old female boxer. She is so much fun. We take her everywhere with us. Now I know that boxers didn't get their breed name by coincidence, but she uses her front paws constantly. The only problem with this is that when we are around other dogs she punches at them to say hello. She in no way is being aggressive, it is just her nature to say hi with here front paws. Other dogs don't understand and have acted aggressively towards her punches. It definately makes it hard for other dogs to play with her at times. Has anyone else experienced this with their boxer. I don't see how you break this habit since it is instictual. I guess I just wandered if anyone else is experiencing this with their boxer.

 

[mancin]

Tyson tends to do this too and if that doesn't get a response, he'll just bean for them. He was quite pleased when he started boxing w/ a pit bull during puppy class and the pit boxed back!

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

Willis would always give other dogs a friendly punch hello in the face. Unfortunately for him, it didn't go over too well... but at about 6 months or so, he figured out that it wasn't getting a good response and changed his tactics. He still boxes when he plays, but the punch greeting is gone! I think they figure it out on their own through intensive socialization with other dogs. A few growls in Willis's direction didn't hurt him and he is very polite now... :D

 

[lillys7]

I'm still waiting for someone to put Guinness in his place...I hope they hurry...

 

[courtney323]

This is typical Boxer behavior, and is why they are called Boxers!

I would not try to correct this behavior, as it is "instinctual" and part of the lovely Boxer character. Other dogs will be able to teach your pup some boundaries over time. However, my female (at 3.5 years old) still occasionally punches a dog's lights out to say "hello". Most people understand, and think it's funny (although she sent a Shih Tzu rolling the other day)... :sigh:

 

[DupontBoxer]

I corrected this just like any other behavior I didn't want her to do. She must calmly greet all dogs including the tea cup poodle who lives downstairs. I would have her sit and if she could be calm she was allowed to "say hello" politely and if she got rowdy we walked away. Now when she sees another dog she wants to say hello to, she automatically sits (including when she sees them from half a block away which can be funny or frustrating depending on if we are in a hurry) and waits. If it is a dog she knows as soon as she calmly says hello she normally jumps on their head (her preferred greeting for dear friends), but in an urban neighborhood full of dogs it is a start at keeping things calm on the sidewalk.

 

[Bieshaar]

That is good advice DuponBoxer. Where we have the most trouble is when we take Bubbles to the dog park. The reason we have troubles at the dog park is because we take her off of her leash. She has a lot more freedom at the park than on a typical walk or run. Hopefully over time she will develop not necessarily better but more cordial greeting skills.

 

[courtney323]

Also - I think it's important to realize that there are two seperate issues here:

(a) the issue of the dog's natural tendency to "box" when playing (which I see no problem with)

(b) the issue of the dog not listening, and perhaps running up to another dog and boxing it.

I would have a problem with issue "B", but not "A"

 

[DupontBoxer]

I didn't realize the original post had to do with the dog park which is a different situation. I do think teaching her to be calmer during on leash greetings helped with off leash greetings as well though.

 

[NikoBrindle]

I'm still waiting for someone to put Guinness in his place...I hope they hurry...

we need to get him and niko back together