I Need Advice about our adopted boxer

[secondchance]

We adopted a six year old boxer about five months ago. She had no history of biting. Everything was fine until yesterday. We had company and when they and my son left she followed them to the door. I called her back and she looked at me and continue to walk with them. I got up, took her by the collar, and led her back into the living room. I told her to sit, and she growled, lunged at me, and grabbed my hand. She did not break skin, but I do have a blood blister on one finger. She is my fourth boxer and I have never had anything like this happen. To tell you the truth, I was/am scared as she is a big and powerful dog. I put her leash on her and put her in her crate. When I let her out about an hour later, she was submissive and has been fine since. I am still shaken, and would appreciate advice.

 

[mmichaelson]

I don't have any advice, since I've only had my first boxer 10 weeks, but I am so sorry this happened. (hugs) to you!

 

[boxer]

Did you still have hold of her collar when she growled? That's a fairly threatening gesture with dogs, and probably results in more defensive bites than anything else. One reason why it is recommended that you never take a dog by it's collar A leash is fine, but grabbing collars isn't - many, if not most dogs will react defensively to that.

I wouldn't get particularly worried by the incident as a whole. It sounds very much like a warning nip over a situation that made the dog very uncomfortable (and warnings are good things to get from dogs). Obviously, I'd suggest not grabbing her by the collar if you can possibly help it, and if you do have to do that, then trying to put the dog at ease while you do so is a better plan directing her to sit.

 

[secondchance]

Thank you for the advice Debbie

Thank you for the reassurance. I did not have her by the collar when the incident occurred. I was standing over her, about a foot away however.

Today she is acting strangely--almost like she is afraid of me. I have never hit her and very, very rarely even raise my voice when I speak with her. Do you think she senses what she did was unacceptable behaviour in our home?

 

[boxer]

No, actually. I think she picks up on your feelings and nervousness and is reacting to that. Since I also think her behaviour yesterday was defensive, it's also likely that she is herself treading carefully around you in case she needs to defend herself again.

If you think about it - grabbing collars and standing over dogs is very threatening behaviour. Your dog reacted to a situation where she felt threatened by giving you a warning nip to tell you that you were making her uncomfortable/feel threatened and needed to back off. What she's doing now is avoiding a repeat of the situation.

What you need to do is rebuild a bit of trust here - and keep a good eye on her for body signals that tell you that you're scaring her. When you see them, back off - before she feels threatened enough to have to growl or bite to make you back off.

 

[lovemygracie]

Hi--I haven't been in your situation as far as the nipping/growling goes, but I also adopted an adult boxer about 5 months ago. There really are a unique set of challenges that go with adopting an adult--it is impossible to know what experiences they have had and why they react the way they do.
For example, mine cowers if I have a dish towel in my hand in the kitchen!
(That response is less scary than a nip/growl warning display, but I think both behaviors may come from fear.)

The advice you got above sounds good--whatever you can do to bond with your dog and make her feel safe and unthreatened with you will be good for her. Maybe after time passes and her bond and trust grow, having her collar grabbed/having you standing over her won't feel as threatening to her. At the same time, of course you want obedience (for the dog to stay in the house instead of following visitors out the door)--maybe you can lure her with a treat or toy or other distraction?

Sorry it happened--they are big strong dogs that can certianly be intimidating! I wish you good luck.

 

[secondchance]

Thank you for your post. Having had boxers (a total of four and another adopted as a 1 1/2 year old) all of my life, this is the first experience I have had with a dog growling, let along lunging at me. Things seem better today, and you are correct in that I do expect a dog in my care to be somewhat obedient.

I will certainly try to be more cognizant of activities that could appear threatening to her. It is sad for me, though, to realize that seven months of loving care have not established strong bonds as of yet. Will keep working on it!

 

[natrhymer]

It is sad for me, though, to realize that seven months of loving care have not established strong bonds as of yet. Will keep working on it!

You have the right attitude; definitely keep working with her! It is sad and, only time will tell if she can learn to trust you completely. We've had our guy for 2 1/2 years now (adopted at about age 1) and he still runs for cover when my husband yells or swears -- not at the dog, just in general, like, if he spills something and yells out a "gosh darn it" in frustration. Neither of us have ever hit Dieter, and so assume his fear of men yelling and/or hitting developed before he came to us. There's not a lot we can do other than love him and make sure we continue to train for and reward positive behavior -- good luck with your girl!