My Poor Reba

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lgam70

Boxer Buddy
Well I need advice again. I always get excellent advice here. You may remember the way Reba behaved right after she had her pups. Aggressive growl and whine right afterwards for the first 2 to 3 weeks. She got so much better and I have got the book The Dog Listener and have worked hard with it, to really good rewards with my fur babies. They come every time I call, back away from the door now when I go to open it, wait while I eat my cracker then give them their food.
BUT about a week and a half ago I was laying on the couch and Reba was laying on my legs. I passed the popcorn bowl to my daughter and as she reached in Reba gave a growl and moved toward her. Not a lunge or attack type of move. About 3 or 4 days later I was laying on the couch watching television and Reba was laying on the footstool next to me. My son reached over to pat my shoulder good night and at the same time reached over to stroke Reba on her back. She saw him lean to me and gave a growl exactly like with my daughter. Tonight my younger daughter 12 years was handing me some tweezers from the coffee table and she did the same thing with her!
Her heckles have not been raised and her ears not alert. Nothing except the growl and her moving to them. Like she didn't want to share me.
Each time I give her the No she stops, starts wagging her tail and everything is fine. But we do give her the consequence of time out. The first thing she did after time out each time was run to the kids to play.
I am back to the book tonight to refresh from last month to see what I have forgotten to do, but I guess my main question is has anyone encountered this before? My children all 5 of them have been using the method from the Dog listener.
We start doggie classes on November 15th.
I just have the 50-50 feeling. Can't figure it out she has shown no aggression at all to anyone that visits no one when we are out walking or other animals.
Sorry so long and thanks in advance. I just love my fur babies and my skin babies. Just need to know if someone else has encountered this and if I am handeling this in the right way to get the message across to my Reba girl.
 

Krikkit

Boxer Insane
I really don't know - it's hard to guess what is actually happening without being there and seeing it and meeting dogs and people involved. Reba may be ruling the roost a bit .. may not - it's best if you get advice from someone who can meet you all (make sure they are appropriately qualified to help you). Take any advice you recieve over the internet with a grain of salt ;)

Two excellent book resources, if you have not already got them are:

"Ruff Love" by Susan Garrett and "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson.

Aggression / Aggressive displays or warnings should not be taken lightly and seeking help from a behaviourist is the best possible course of action for all concerned.

Follow the links in this thread http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45027 for more info about behaviourists / behavioural trainers.

Sharon
 
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