Severe Aggression

[Kenajean]

I am writing for advice on some aggression problems I am having. My female Boxer Shelby has become extremely aggressive. She will be 2 yrs in Feb. I have had her for 1 yr. When we first got her, she had severe food aggression and aggression towards other dogs. When my other female boxer passed away, Shelby seemed to calm down. She is fine around male dogs just not female. She has had no trouble with food either, but in the last 2 months she has gone to the extreme. It all began when I tried to correct her one day, and she bit me. A few days later she snapped at my husband, who is Shelby's world. Now it has gotten worse. Friday she attacked our male boxer of the same age. It took us a good 10 minutes to get her off of him. He has multible wounds, and a through and through bite on his front leg. We have a 5 yr son, and her behavior is really concerning me. It's to the point I am trying to find her a home where she will be the only dog, and there are no children. I love her to death and do not want to part with her, but someone is going to get hurt. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Aimee]

We used to have similar problems with Lexi. We had her evaluated by a behavioral therapist and have since been able to manage her issues. It isn't an easy road but it wasn't an impossible one for us either. Lexi has territorial aggression and resource guarding issues. One compounds the other. We have 3 dogs, 2 females and a male who can now live in harmony with only an occasional scuffle. We were seeing fights pretty much daily here at one point. The only difference is that Lexi never attacked or intentionally bit either myself or my husband. You need to reillustrate to her that you two are in fact the leaders of the household. She must work for all privledges, especially food or treats. If you do a search here on the forums on resource guarding or aggression, you will find a wealth of information. I'd advise seeking out the advice of a behaviorist before rehoming her. Rehoming her will not rid her of her behavior, it will only then put the responsibility on someone else. Dogs that have bitten before are not easy to rehome or place through rescue and one really shouldn't hide that fact when looking out for the interest of the dog. If she bit the wrong person, she could easily end up abused. I certainly hope that you have as much success in your situation as we did. There are a few good books you may want to get to help you along--The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson and The Dog Listener by Jan Fennel. They can be great resources to you.

 

[Kenajean]

We have done all the reinforcements oon who is the boss, so to speak. We no longer allow her to sleep on the beds, we don't allow her to sleep on the couches, and we make her work for everything. Even to go outside, she must sit. But it is still getting worse. Since it was such a sudden change in her, I took her into the vet to make sure she wasn't ill. The vet told us to do the reinforcing, which we have. I should also say, she was an abused rescue, who cannot be put into a muzzle, or a crate because of her previous experiences. I have never had a dog fight so bad in my life. I literally had blood all over my dining room and kitchen. Due to her food aggression, no one eats unless she is put outside. We can't even figure out what the fights are about, because they occur when we are out of the room. I just need some advice on what to do for my baby, before it gets any worse.

 

[Kenajean]

Spoke with vet today, and he thinks it is a brain tumor in her pituitary gland. She goes in for a blood test Thursdday, and if this is what it is, she will be put down.

 

[Jennifer -Pharaoh's Mom]

Yes, I was going to suggest a possible brain tumor. I had this very scenario when I worked at the clinic. A man with a normally gentle loving Boxer called adn said the dog had cornered him and attacked him in the hallway. Scans and bloodwork pointed to a brain tumor.

I have no words of wisdom here except to send you a healing hug via email and please let us know what the vet found.

JEnnifer

 

[mygirlmollie]

What a sad situation....if it is a brain tumor can it be treated??

Wanda.

 

[KELLY W]

Please keep us updated. Muggsey sends big hugs and slobbers!!
I hope that it is something that can be treated. We will say a prayer for you both!!

 

[Kenajean]

The test are back. Shelby is epileptic. She needs to have some more tests and observation done to determine her meds. Thank You everyone for your advice and encouragement.

 

[EMWAZ]

I'm so sorry to hear about your boxer.. I don't know what else to say....

I hope some of the problems can be curtailed...

 

[KELLY W]

At least epilepsy can be treated with meds. I'm so glad that it wasnt a brain tumor. Muggsey and I hope that everything will work out for the best.