Protective & Showing Agression

[captureinc]

My wonderful 3 year old boxer is beginning to show some agression on walks. We live in the city (he has been socialized very well with other dogs and people) and have always lived in the city and never had any real problems until recently. My dog has become very protective of me and sometimes reacts to innocent men walking down the street with a ferocious bark, hair raised on the back, etc. He hasn't bitten anyone, but I'm worried that he may at some point if this protective issue continues. He doesn't do this with my boyfriend on walks unless they encounter specific homeless individuals. I hear about fear phases, but is he too old for that? I'm beginning to fear walks as I don't know what to expect out of him.

Thanks for any input you are able to provide.

 

[hanley]

He may be feeding off of your insecurity,they are very sensitive & pick up on your feelings.

 

[DetroitBoxer]

Carter has not become agressive like you have described, but he does differentiate between me and my fiance like you explained. He has never barked at a stranger when I'm home, but my fiance said a couple of times when he's seen someone and it's just her and him he will start barking and growling. I was curious about this behavior as well. I just figured he saw my fiance as needing more protection, and looked at me as being able to take care of myself, but that was just a guess.

 

[jmz1978]

My 18 month old girl has just started doing the same thing. It started when we moved to a new city, where we now live in an apt. right downtown. Needless to say, we get a diverse group of people walking by our building, and Charlie seems to randomly pick out people she doesn't like and becomes very protective and mean toward them. She hasn't bitten or even snapped at anyone, but I'm beginning to not trust her 100% like I used to. She's also started being a little more rebelious, and I now have to keep her on a leash 100% of the time. She used to stay by my side all the time, but not anymore.

From what I've read on here, they mature and change at different rates. I'm just going to take her to training somewhere after the holidays are over. I spoke with a behaviorist and that's what she recommended. I'm starting to miss the overly friendly, mostly obidient baby I used to have! ;-(

 

[ehayes21]

Here is a great link to a thread with a BUNCH of good training articles on leash aggression/aggression. http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46555

The fact that you mention he doesn't do this with your husband lends me to believe that you are not as confident in walking him as he is. Like Hanley said they can sense even the slightest bit of insecurity.