New Mom Aggression

[lgam70]

I have a question. We had puppies this morning. I layed down with mom after the birth and we napped. This afternoon she has gotten aggressive when we go near her.
I have been worried from the beginning because she is only 15 months old. When she went into heat we bought her the panties and pads thinking that would keep them apart. We noticed them in the corner and the panties were in the back yard so we started alternating them in the crates so they would not have a chance to get together again. And both would get the family time and exercise ect they need and well we need with them too. When I talked to my vet about maybe maybe aborting the litter for her health was told they would have to fix her and she could not have anymore. But she has had the most easy going temperment and gentle that I have seen. We were planning on after 2 to breed her and our male to try to get his conformation and her temperment. They are both very good and our males father has several win's in shows. He just has one white eye and one color eye so we don't show him.
The puppies are georgous and one is definately a show prospect. I am sorry to be so long I am just worried about her being aggressive even with me. During delivery she didn't want me out of her site and now she is afraid I will hurt the babies. Is this normal in such a gentle loving boxer? They cry and she wines too and I wish I could comfort her. She will let me get close enough to pet her. But if my hand is too close to the babies she growls and snaps but doesn't break the skin.
Again thanks for your help in advance.

 

[JulieM]

When she went into heat we bought her the panties and pads thinking that would keep them apart. We noticed them in the corner and the panties were in the back yard so we started alternating them in the crates so they would not have a chance to get together again.

Obviously too little, too late, but you've learned a valuable lesson. It's been discussed here quite a bit, but to re-emphasize for those who may someday find themselves with a bitch in season - *never* leave your bitch unattended while she is in season, even if you don't have a male, even in a fenced yard. Dogs will do whatever they have to do to get to a bitch in season - and many bitches in season will do whatever they have to do to get to a dog. The best way to prevent accidental pregnancies is to keep the bitch under your control and supervision at all times (that means on-lead, even in a fenced yard). If you do have a male, crates and separate rooms are essential. Dogs can, will, and do mate through crates, fences, etc.

But she has had the most easy going temperment and gentle that I have seen. We were planning on after 2 to breed her and our male to try to get his conformation and her temperment. They are both very good and our males father has several win's in shows.

Temperament is an important consideration, but not the only one. Conformation is important as well, to ensure that future puppies continue to look like Boxers. You can't show your male because of his mis-mark, but what about your female? Do you have any way to obtain objective evaluations of their quality as compared to the breed standard? Most important of all, however, is their health. Obviously you cannot have had much testing done on the female because of her age, but the male is over 2 so should have had all of his initial health testing already. Did that turn out well? One health-tested parent is better than none, I suppose, so at least the puppies have a slight advantage there.

The puppies are georgous and one is definately a show prospect.

LOL - I understand you are proud of your puppies but I think one day old is a little young to be picking show prospects. There's more to it than just markings.

I am sorry to be so long I am just worried about her being aggressive even with me. During delivery she didn't want me out of her site and now she is afraid I will hurt the babies. Is this normal in such a gentle loving boxer? They cry and she wines too and I wish I could comfort her. She will let me get close enough to pet her. But if my hand is too close to the babies she growls and snaps but doesn't break the skin.

It is not unusual for first-time mothers to be protective of their puppies right after whelping. Hopefully since you're in the room with her 24/7, she'll settle down in a day or two. If she does not let you near the puppies soon, though, I would seriously reconsider breeding her again as there may be a temperament issue. In the mean time, you have to be checking the puppies, weighing them, changing blankets, etc. - plus they'll need to go to the vet in a couple of days for dewclaws and tails. If you have to put a leash on her and drag her out of the room, do it, but you need to be able to access those puppies.

 

[lgam70]

Thank you so much for your reply.
Yea, I guess I am way to proud. Just everything about this one little girl just stands out. Her face, her little legs, .
Yes I did have Jeff tested and Doc says he is cleared on them. Allergies in his white eye has been the only thing he has had. Doc says because it is white he is more sensitive in it but I don't have anything else to worry about.

Thanks for letting me know about the Kennel in separate rooms. Because even after we separated them her Kennel and his was next door to one another.

I have had her checked and her head is alittle small. I spoke with the vet this morning and she said to wait a few days and see how she is doing. I have to take the pups in Monday for the tails and dewclaws. About 30 minutes ago Reba went to the door to go outside and when she was away from the pups ran around tail wagging saying hello to everyone and even went to Jeff and spent a very little time playing around with him then went back to the pups. So I feel much better now and confident that it is just because there was too much noise yesterday and she just needed to calm down. BUT you are absolutely right about not breeding her again if she stays aggressive like that.

Thank you again!

 

[Alisha Mobley]

The health testing Julie is talking about can be found here... http://www.boxerworld.com/breeders/

Good luck with the babies!!