I KNOW THIS IS LONG - BUT I'M FRIGHTENED. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN. COULD THIS BE A PROBLEM?
Help! Last night we took our 7 mth old to obedience class (his third). The last 2 lessons were amazing. We thought he was the smartest dog in the group. Well... last night, he was a nightmare - like he was possessed. When we got there, he was uncontrollable. Wouldn't listen, wouldn't sit down, didn't even realize we were around. His only goal was to forcefully try to socialize with the other dogs. If this was the first class, I'd be totally understanding. However, when we tried to make him listen (ie. sit, if he didn't, firmly press his tail to the floor), he actually growled and tried to bite my us. Never in the 7 months has he ever done this to us. We were actually frightened as we've never seen this side of him before. We left early because we didn't know what to do. Up until now he appeared to be the most gentle & loving dog possible. Never showed any aggression.
At first, we thought maybe he hurt his backside and it was extremely sensitive to touch, explaining his nipping when we tried to make him sit. Later, I checked, pressed everywhere, he didn't seem to respond. Then we thought maybe his collar. He is very difficult to walk, we tried the gentle leader, couldn't get him used to is then someone suggested a chain collar. We've tried that for the past week and it seemed ok but maybe at the lesson with all the other dogs, he was choking himself. Could this cause his personality change?
What we did notice was that when he did sit, he wouldn't turn his behind to us, he always had to be facing us. Was he scared of something? Could something have happened to him during the day to have caused him to be aggressive towards us? Could someone have hurt him? Teased him? Taunted him? Could this cause aggression?
A family member takes him to work about 3 times a week. It seemed to be going ok. We asked him if anything was different that day. He's not always around and Clyde is left in the company of his secretary and the other workers and I doubt he has much discipline. One of the other workers has a dog who also comes to the site. Apparently, this dog won't even come into the trailer office anymore because of Clyde's constant jumping and playing. He's slightly older. Understandable, we try to control him around other dogs and we've been pretty successful.
After we returned home, he was back to his normal self. Very passive, listened to all his commands. I even bathed him (he likes it, I thought it might relax him) and he rolled up beside (initially he tried to lay right on top of me- hasn't tried to do this since he was little). I just assumed he was a little cold and wanted to warm up. Anyway, he went to sleep beside me and has not shown that side of him since.
It was a true Jekyll & Mr. Hide. I can't explain it but I fear for my children.
Does anyone have any advice as to what may have happened to him? We stopped him from going to the site and we've thrown his chain collar away. I really do need to feel good about him again. We chose a boxer because every book we ever read mentioned how gentle they were with children.
Your help (again) greatly appreciated.
Help! Last night we took our 7 mth old to obedience class (his third). The last 2 lessons were amazing. We thought he was the smartest dog in the group. Well... last night, he was a nightmare - like he was possessed. When we got there, he was uncontrollable. Wouldn't listen, wouldn't sit down, didn't even realize we were around. His only goal was to forcefully try to socialize with the other dogs. If this was the first class, I'd be totally understanding. However, when we tried to make him listen (ie. sit, if he didn't, firmly press his tail to the floor), he actually growled and tried to bite my us. Never in the 7 months has he ever done this to us. We were actually frightened as we've never seen this side of him before. We left early because we didn't know what to do. Up until now he appeared to be the most gentle & loving dog possible. Never showed any aggression.
At first, we thought maybe he hurt his backside and it was extremely sensitive to touch, explaining his nipping when we tried to make him sit. Later, I checked, pressed everywhere, he didn't seem to respond. Then we thought maybe his collar. He is very difficult to walk, we tried the gentle leader, couldn't get him used to is then someone suggested a chain collar. We've tried that for the past week and it seemed ok but maybe at the lesson with all the other dogs, he was choking himself. Could this cause his personality change?
What we did notice was that when he did sit, he wouldn't turn his behind to us, he always had to be facing us. Was he scared of something? Could something have happened to him during the day to have caused him to be aggressive towards us? Could someone have hurt him? Teased him? Taunted him? Could this cause aggression?
A family member takes him to work about 3 times a week. It seemed to be going ok. We asked him if anything was different that day. He's not always around and Clyde is left in the company of his secretary and the other workers and I doubt he has much discipline. One of the other workers has a dog who also comes to the site. Apparently, this dog won't even come into the trailer office anymore because of Clyde's constant jumping and playing. He's slightly older. Understandable, we try to control him around other dogs and we've been pretty successful.
After we returned home, he was back to his normal self. Very passive, listened to all his commands. I even bathed him (he likes it, I thought it might relax him) and he rolled up beside (initially he tried to lay right on top of me- hasn't tried to do this since he was little). I just assumed he was a little cold and wanted to warm up. Anyway, he went to sleep beside me and has not shown that side of him since.
It was a true Jekyll & Mr. Hide. I can't explain it but I fear for my children.
Does anyone have any advice as to what may have happened to him? We stopped him from going to the site and we've thrown his chain collar away. I really do need to feel good about him again. We chose a boxer because every book we ever read mentioned how gentle they were with children.
Your help (again) greatly appreciated.
. I NEVER let get away with this behavior 
. I pull on her cheek and give her a firm no then continue to pet her letting her know the I will stop on my terms. I can not explain what may have happened to cause this behavior change. He may just be testing his limits and seeing if he can work his way up the ladder. When my Darcy started to get older she tried to maneuver her way up the doggy chain and push Killian, my male, around. Good luck and be firm. Sometimes we (and I am very guilty of this) baby our little fur kids so much that we forget they are pack animals and require some discipline.
I have only had him for less than a year too, so in a way Kaiser's situation can be related to yours...waited for a awhile before he tested the boundaries w/me. Just be firm if he tries this again, and do not get scared...he will sense that! Remember, you are the alpha, and alpha have to remind everyone else every so often that they are in charge.