How's your boxer??

[mc0624]

We have a 6 month old female that is completely attached to us...as long as we are near her she is fine (almost like we protect her or something). Well, each visit to the vet or out of the house proves to be a different experience.

Basically what happened is this: we took her to the vets this weekend to be fixed and the vet mentioned to me that we need to get her out lots more to socialize with other people. I guess everytime they went to even just pet her, she yelped and backed away like they were going to hurt her. Granted the vet isn't the most pleasant place...but she can be this way when strangers come up to her...she is very wary of them and stays REAL close to us. The vet said that we will have to be very careful (I'm 7 months pregnant) when the new baby comes...to see how she reacts. And that she is just a very insecure dog and that is usually "hard-wired" in some dogs. If she is afraid of the baby, then will probably have to get rid of her. The vet said that if she is afraid of the baby, she might bite out of nervousness :(.

But..a friend of ours happen to bring his two kids by on Sunday and she was totally fine with them..if not even more mellow than with us. Granted she was on her own territory though..

Any thoughts or comments on this? I know boxers are known for being great with kids..so I'm not real worried about her being afraid...but I don't want her to bite someone out on the street either :(

??
Michelle


[This message has been edited by mc0624 (edited 09-19-2000).]

[This message has been edited by mc0624 (edited 09-19-2000).]

 

[mannabyrd]

It sounds like your puppy might need to be taken out more and introduced to people. have the people play with her and show her that they aren't going to hurt her. My landlord's girlfriend (who just happens to be my old babysitter) lets my puppy, who is 10 weeks, out every day and she takes her on a long walk to the elementary school and lets her play with all of the kids. I know that it is hard, especially if she is scared of strangers, but in the end it should all work out and she should come around to being open to new people. As for your new baby on the way, I think that situation will be fine. Your puppy will know that the baby is yours and that the baby is part of the family and she should be a very loving dog, if not protective, with that in mind. they are supposed to love/adore children, but sometimes you never know. Be very cautious the first couple of weeks and then you should start seeing how your puppy will interact with the baby. I think everything will work out.

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Mommy to Geri
Born 07/08/00
White female
natural ears

 

[JoAnn]

I wouldn't worry about the new baby, Boxers are so great with kids. My Boxer Samson is just over a year old, the only socializing I have done for him is daily walks, and it still hasn't helped. He is very dog aggressive, and leery of people until you tell him it is okay. He met his first baby a few weeks ago, my mother in law said he hovered over that baby making sure she was okay, when the baby cried he cried right along with her. It seems they go right into a mothering mode. I would still keep a close eye on things and take your vets advice, but I have never trusted a breed around my kids as much as I do my Boxers.

 

[nanabear]

I would try very hard to work on this. Your pup may turn out to be fine (let's Hope ) with your baby. But when you have kids......you will have other peoples kids around. And a shy, fearful dog is one that bites. That is very unusual for a Boxer. Both of mine think every single person they come across needs to meet them and get kisses.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Luckily, Maggie loves everyone she meets and expects they all are just dying to play with her.

However, I sympathize with your problem. I would make sure to go out with your dog away from her home on a walk for instance, and when you meet other people, make sure to first have her sit, then get down to her level, reassure her that it is "ok" with lots of stroking, etc, before letting the stranger pet her. The stranger needs to get on the dog's level too. Hovering over a dog can sometimes make it very frightened or defensive. Also, pet your dog from under the chin rather than an open hand from above on top of the head. This too is unsettling for some dogs. During and after she accepts petting from strangers, be sure to give lots of praise. Be patient and persistent and she'll be socialized in no time.

I know it sounds odd and you may feel uncomfortable about asking strangers to cooperate like this, but you'll be surprised how cooperative people can and want to be. Just explain that she's a little skittish around strangers and if they don't mind, could you get down closer to the dog and stroke her chin rather than pat her head? People are generally more than happy to help out and realize that you are trying to train your dog and want to help if they can.

As for the baby, I'm sure it will work out. Maggie is so excited by children it is unbelievable. I can't take her out when school is starting and all the kids are on their way to school or when it lets out in the afternoon. She goes crazy wanting to play with every child who comes near her.

The little girl next door was crying the other day, and Maggie went right up and licked the tears off her little cheeks. It was so adorable and the girl stopped crying immediately. Mother was very grateful to Maggie. She got lots of praise.

Good luck. Keep after it. It will be fine.

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Dan from Brooklyn
Proud Pappa to Maggie Mae
Born 6/16/00
Flashy Fawn, docked tail, natural ears.
Pictures: http://www.d-batt.com/Maggie.html

[This message has been edited by Brooklyn-Dan (edited 09-20-2000).]