two boxers too much???

[lilly111161]

I have a 1 year old male and a rescue female who have been together for 7 months. They do pretty well together, but when a neighbor comes outside they freak and bark at them like they are a wild pack of dogs. Alot of times I look out the door to see if anyone is out before I even let them out. Then they jump on eachother and fight horribly. In the house if they see a squirrel or cat outside, they come at the window or sliding glass door at full force trying to get it. One on one, each dog is alot of fun, but the two of them together is alot to handle. They usually respond to training commands one on one, but they are oblivious to me when they are together. I see alot of people with two dogs and they do great, but I am questioning my dogs compatability.

 

[Vela]

Mine stop whatever they are doing when i speak to them. Even if they are wrestling or eating or running together. Perhaps you should try to train them together to come to you when you call. Make sure their recall is excellent one on one first and reliable then try doing it with them together using food treats as a reward. Then whenever they have undesireable behavior, call them to you to interrupt them. It may help calm them down. I don't know if this will work or not, just a suggestion. Im' sure others like Tulsa-Dan will have more informative things to help since I'm not a trainer or any kind. I am just glad mine respond to me when I speak.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Sounds like redirected aggression to me. It is when a dog exhibits aggressive behavior toward a person or other animal that INTERRUPTS aggressive behavior that is focused elsewhere.

This occurs basically because the dogs are so worked up, adrenalin pumping 90 to nothing, and they have no real control mechanism over that, and they are after the "squirrel" or whatever and the other dog is there and the frustration of not being able to get the object of their desire causes them to take that frustration out on whomever is next to them, in your case the other dog.

What I suggest is that when this behavior is displayed, the dogs are BOTH immediately taken away from the object of their desire and removed from that situation and given a "time out" or separation from the pack (you) for a period of time. Let the dogs know that this behavior has consequences and the consequences are that their ability to chase the squirrel or whatever will be taken away. Or they must return inside.

If the dogs are not responding to your commands, you need to go back and work harder on the recall command and the Watch command and get the dogs attention and complete reliable response to the recall. Also distraction training should be begun. Check with your local trainers and behaviorists for working on distraction training if you've not already done so.

Good luck.

 

[AZ Boxer Boys]

They usually respond to training commands one on one, but they are oblivious to me when they are together.

Mine get like that sometimes. When they are not paying attention to what I'm saying bacause they're rough housing, I go to where they are, standing right next to them and talk to them. Once I have their attention, they listen very well and they seem to 'hear' me much better for a while.

Cindy

 

[Adelle]

Originally posted by lilly111161
They do pretty well together, but when a neighbor comes outside they freak and bark at them like they are a wild pack of dogs. Alot of times I look out the door to see if anyone is out before I even let them out.

I have a similar problem to this, and like yourself had to check to see if my neighbors dog was outside before I could let mine out, I resloved it by installing privacy fencing instead of chain link. As for the other issues I have been working on their training seperately and together so that they do listen to me, its still a work in progress but its working.

Good luck

 

[blurble33]

both of my girls are like your 2 dogs to an extent. they watch through the window and bark at whatever they see, and sometimes turn toward each other. however they have never angrily fought, they play fight and as soon as i think they may be getting too rough, i call their names in a deep, strong voice and they both quit and come over to me. so basically i agree with everyone else. good luck