My Boxer Is Becoming Agressive Towards Me -HELP

[KonaKoffe]

I would avoid the crate and go with the room option then, so the crate doesn't get associated with punishement.

What I actually do is close all the bedroom doors at the end of the hall and make the dog sit and stay at that end of the hall, which is basically now a closed room. I am in the living room at the other end of the hall monitoring that she actually stays there (they always try to slink back to the living room ) until the 10 minutes are up. When the 10 minutes are up I call her from the living room to come to me and then life goes on.

 

[Poetic_thing]

Time-outs are great , mine go into the bathroom. In fact sometimes when I say "time-out, let's go" they walk directly to the bathroom. Kirra is a different dog (in a good way) after a time out. Good luck.

 

[MrsTanker]

And here all this time some of our friends have been telling us that giving Tank a 'time-out' is insane. ...We have an extra, unused bedroom that we use as his 'time-out' room. We just have to mention it and Tank usually starts behaving. My husband has decided now that he's going to teach him "3, 2, 1..." and if he doesn't stop by then he'll go to his room. (We'll see how that goes! )

 

[lafsalot]

I have to agree with Debbie (City Moderator?) . Your adolescent pup is simply attempting to play with you much the same as he would with another boxer/dog. Boxers are notorious for rough-housing, and I am sure that my two "teenagers" often appear to be fighting to the inexperienced observer. My 86lb male was a pouncer, and we simply ignored him, and/or redirected him to more acceptable play activities that we could do together. Thank God they mature more quickly than my skinkids did - those years were really challenging!!! ~ Cathy

 

[BeckyNC]

I think Debbie is right on, as well. Boxers can be obnoxious and are quite playful. Sometimes you just need to provide some guidance to your pup so he learns what types of behavior are appropriate and inappropriate. Boxers really want to please their people, so should you use some of the suggestions posted above, I bet you'll get a good response.

I adopted Tae when she was 13 mos old and she would get sassy on me at times and growl like crazy. It took a while for me to feel comfortable knowing she was only attempting to play. Boxers can be very vocal and, unless you expect it, it can be very intimidating. I have had two friends over in the past month who both got nervous when Tae started her nutso growl when she wanted to play with their dogs. One of the dogs even got nervous. Oh, and once I offered to watch another BW member's puppy and Tae started her play growling. The poor puppy was scared (she was so sweet!) and I know her mommy thought my girl was up to no good. Sometimes it's difficult to convince people that the crazy behavior is all about play!

 

[HalifaxBoxer]

You could also try agility classes for dogs and other extra-curricular dog-clubs/activities. Great bonding time, and great (required) physical play and great socialization all rolled into one.

May I'm off a tad, but if he's pushing your limits or challenging for position, be sure that you are a vital part of training and such other things as giving him his breakfast and small things that help him know that good things come FROM you....and that will also be non-confrontational reinforcement of where he should be in your family.

 

[michizme]

I am definitely his primary caretaker and he definitely knows he gets good things from me .... breakfast, dinner, treats, new toys, playtimes, trips in the car, etc. I think he is just trying to test me. I'm definitely going to enroll him into another class too, as several people have recommended. Thanks!

 

[BasilStreets]

I am definitely his primary caretaker and he definitely knows he gets good things from me .... breakfast, dinner, treats, new toys, playtimes, trips in the car, etc. I think he is just trying to test me. I'm definitely going to enroll him into another class too, as several people have recommended. Thanks!

You should be making him work for all these good things. Just very simple things like making him sit and wait while you put his food down, or practicing 'down' or 'sit' before he gets a toy or a treat goes a long way to establishing yourself as the "leader" without any confrontation.

 

[Anna Begins]

You should be making him work for all these good things. Just very simple things like making him sit and wait while you put his food down, or practicing 'down' or 'sit' before he gets a toy or a treat goes a long way to establishing yourself as the "leader" without any confrontation.

Yup- the Nothing in Life is Free method. Has helped Luka wonders- I started it the first day he came to live with me. I think it has really helped us with establishing my role in our relationship.
He must sit for any treat, for his food, to get his leash on or off, he must recieve permission to get on the couch or bed, sometimes I make him sit before I throw a toy when we are playing fetch. When we come into the house, I go threw the door first- it is MY home after all.
It is all about establishing your role in other ways than force.