Heartbroken, one has to go..

[robynkendall]

I have 2 boxers, a 5 year old neutered male and a 2 year old spayed female.
For the last year, there have been fights between them but now it has
escalated so that I have to keep them separated. I'm not totally sure who is
starting the fights. The male has always been a nervous sort, the female is
much sweeter and laid back. I love them both so much, but for their safety
and for ours (I fear my 8 year old being in the middle of the fighting and getting
hurt) I feel that I must find a new home for one of them. I'm not sure if rescue
would take either one of them since I don't know which dog is causing the
problem. I am so heartbroken, any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Just as I am writing this, the male tried to attack the
female who is currently in her crate...he is now stalking around the room. Made
him go upstairs. This is so upsetting....

 

[EAO76]

I have dealt with this too (I have 3 boxers and my two males don’t spend much time together). However it’s unusual for there to be fights between males & females. Have you considered getting some professional help? I would try that before I rehomed one.

 

[Box Boys]

In the last year, have you tried anything to stop the fights. Is there anything that you can think of that starts them? Have they always "not liked each other"? I agree, that I might try to get some help with the situation before I would rehome. At the same time, I can understand your fear of them fighting and quite possibly your 8 year old child being in the wrong place at the wrong time. (I had Chows once that would fight all the time...once I had a baby...I couldn't be sure when they would fight or if he would be caught in the cross-fire and unfortunatey, for them, it was time to go.)

 

[robynkendall]

I honestly do not know what starts the fights, and believe me I feel so
frustrated that I can't figure it out. I feed them in separate rooms, there is
some food aggression so I no longer give out treats. I am going today to buy
another crate for Sam (the male). He has been acting very strange since last
night so I think a trip to the vet is in order. I just feel like I am failing them
somehow, I do not want to give up either one of them but the stress of the
situation is really getting to us.

 

[ehayes21]

I honestly do not know what starts the fights, and believe me I feel so
frustrated that I can't figure it out. I feed them in separate rooms, there is
some food aggression so I no longer give out treats. I am going today to buy
another crate for Sam (the male). He has been acting very strange since last
night so I think a trip to the vet is in order. I just feel like I am failing them
somehow, I do not want to give up either one of them but the stress of the
situation is really getting to us.

Get some professional help! I have dealt with this first hand. In my situation it was a rank issue - I had two status seeking dogs and I was only making it worse. After two bloody fights, I got someone to look at the problem first hand and it was worth it. You can live in peace, it will just take some work. Good luck to you.

 

[robynkendall]

I am having a hard time finding someone qualified to help me with my dogs.
Since it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate them (due to cold weather)
I was wondering about putting muzzles on them to see how they react to each
other. Is this a good idea or not?? They would be supervised and in the house.

 

[Maniago]

Due to Female/Female fights we play musical Boxers; we use crates to keep them seperated. No one lets the other outside or out of the crate unless they check to see the other is secure. Maybe crates could be an option until you can find someone qualified.