Layla was called a meenie yesterday

[MICHMURPH]

Layla is 4month old brindle girl on the smal side, 22 pounds.
She has been going to the dog park for three weeks pretty regularly.
Most of the people there know what the boxer breed is like.
For the other people with puppies, I will talk to them and let them know if they are bothered with her play style, (Growling, Pouncing, Standing over) to let me know.
Layla is a real good, no biting, just mouthing ,but she is real noisey. It is kind of unconfortable explaining and showing the other people that this is how the breed plays.
Well I have one lady who doesnt agree with me and feels that Layla is mean. I want to somehow bring in a video of some of the other boxers playing so she can see what I am saying is true. Im sure others have have had to deal with this same thing. One question I have is when do they stop acting so "puppyish". I know this is hard to answer depending on alot of things. But when have you guys, and gals start to see changes from "puppy" to
"Teenager", And is there really a difference. Thanks in advance. Murph

 

[Cyrus2005]

I know what you mean! Cyrus makes this horrible noise when he plays with other dogs. Not all dogs, but lots. We call it the boxer "roar" in my house! Once we were at the dog park, and Cy was playing with another boxer. Both were roaring at each other and having a wonderful time playing and boxing. The noise kept attracting other dogs who would rush in thinking a fight was in progress. Our boxers would stop playing wondering why the other dogs kept coming up to them!! So this noise doesn't just fool people, it tricks other dogs too!! I have never seen anything like it.
Cyrus has finally started calming down, and he is almost three. The playfullness of this breed it what attracted us in the first place.

 

[auntthelm]

I'm not sure it is possible to explain Boxer play to those who have not been around a Boxer. It would be nice if another Boxer was at the park - then the two of them could box together.

 

[MICHMURPH]

There are older boxers there, but no puppies. She will play with the older dogs but she really likes playing with the pups.
I was wondering when and if she start acting and playing with the older dogs.

 

[Bodiesmom]

You'll never be able to get through to people who have made up their mind. DH almost got into a fight with another man at the dog park because Bodie "hit" his dog. He 2 small dogs that came in and started yapping and nipping at all the dogs. No other dogs would play with them. They did it to Bodie and he boxed them in the face. The man started screaming "your dog hit my dog!" He was furious. It took everything DH had not to laugh at him. DH and other owners explained that Bodie was playing, and that is how dogs play.

I agree that boxers play differently than other dogs, but I also think that my pup can get out of control and be too much at times. I frequently give her "breaks" when she is playing with Bodie to help her calm down. If your pup is getting too vocal or focused on the dog (Kima pins Bodie and keeps going for his face) you can give it a break or quick time-out and then resume play.