My boxer bit someone!

[Paulette]

Help me to understand what happened today! My boxer boy is 4 years old and has NEVER even growled at anyone unless in play! I occasionally take him with me to a Senior program that I staff and the seniors love him and he seems to love them! He has always behaved so well Today, our van driver came in to collect the seniors..and she started talking to Joe..petting him and telling him what a pretty boy he was. She was bending down over him and put her face next to his and kissed him. As she began to stand up, he gave this menacing growl and lunged at her and bit her in the face! I was horrified! He has NEVER done that before! Thank God he didn't really bite down. As it was his teeth grazed her nose and left two scratches. I suspect that he felt threatened in some way, but I'm not sure why. I'm so disappointed in him. I feel like I can never trust him around strangers again..
Paulette

 

[hanley]

You should never get in a dogs face!

He didn't trust or know her well enough for her to get in his face, she invaded his space. You should never do this to a dog, if he doesn't know you. This bite was her fault & it could have been a lot worse,this was a warning.He just was not comfortable with her actions. LOL, Hanley

 

[ROMMEL'S MOM]

I totally agree with Hanley. Try not to be too disappointed in Joe. He felt he had to defend himself. Luckily, it wasn't more serious of a bite and I hope the woman OK. However, she invaded his space and he reacted.

Does she go around kissing everyone's dog?

 

[gmacleod]

Leaning over a dog like that, petting it's head, and getting in it's face (probably with direct eye contact) that way are all extremely dominant gestures. Frankly you should never allow anyone to do that to your dog, but most especially strangers. His reaction isn't surprising, it's natural dog reaction to what it perceives as a dominant or agressive behaviour toward it.

If you want to allow strangers to pet your dog, have them approach him from the side and pet his neck or shoulders before moving toward his head. That way your dog gets the opportunity to show any discomfort early on without having to resort to growling and/or biting.

 

[Paulette]

I feel better..

Thank you...I knew and SHE knew that she had invaded his personal space by getting in his face. I guess I feel like I need to share the blame, because I didn't give it a thought when I saw her approach him. She has dogs, (a Rottie) and even she said that she should have known better. She's okay..I called her last night. Thank God she's a friend. I got lucky really, because I was treating Joe as a therapy dog without having him trained. I know now that he's just not comfortable with "a day at work" with all the staff coming and going. Paulette

 

[Kia's Mom]

my boxer bit someone

My 3 year old female has done the same thing under identical circumstances. I, too, was horrified when this occurred, not understanding how my gentle dog could suddenly "turn aggressive," until someone explained to me what the other thread commentators have said, that the dog basically feels threatened when his space is invaded, and that it's our responsibility as owners to prevent anyone from getting into our dog's personal comfort zone. What this meant to me was that I had to modify my thinking about my lifestyle with my boxer in my dense urban meighborhood; I'd been in the habit of taking her around to the coffeeshops, on the sidewalks visiting, through the streetmarkets, etc., where people are constantly doing unexpected things. For my dog's safety as well as the safety of others, I decided to invest in a comfortable leather muzzle for her to wear whenever we go out. I no longer forget she's not a toy poodle when we're out in public (at least not until we're home into our own living room), and keep her at my side, and pay attention. I've come to realize she's not a fluffy ol' Golden Retriever, but that's fine. She's perfect the way she is. But an accident could happen if I forget who she is.

 

[SOBE]

All this info has been very informative. I myself would not personally chose to put my face in any other dogs face other than my own, but I know many people do. My sister-in-law has an adorable Corgi mix who bit her friend at a cook out this summer. The friend thought the dog was cute enough to kiss, I guess, and she was bit. Small dog, big dog; brown dog , hot dog, they are all dogs at heart. (but to think of it, I wouldn't want a stranger invading my space either, especially by kissing me on the lips..... yeck!!)

 

[Paulette]

Thanks for the advice!

Thanks for all your good advice. I take Joe walking almost daily and lots of times kids come running up to us to pet him. I just don't think I'm going to allow it anymore. It's not worth it. He gets plenty of rubs at home with his own family. Paulette