Urgent Help Needed

[StevieD]

I have a 18 mth old female boxer. She was very friendly until at 6 mths old she was attacked by my neighbors dog. I then found out the children in my neighborhood would tease her with a stick in the hopes she would be zapped by our invisible fence. I added another boxer to our family. He is 9 months old. Prior to adopting Maxwell, my husband and I noticed Maggie was aggressive around children so we have been very careful. She is getting worse. Even people she has known and loved since she was a baby, she is aggressive with. She will be happy to see them and then she attempts to bite them. She is not playing. I am very worried about her and I do not know what I can do to train her and help her. Maxwell is just fine with everyone. Maggie was recently bit by the neighbors dog again. They do not have a fence nor do they tie their rotties. I have taken measure regarding that issue. CAN SOME ONE SUGGEST SOMETHING.....I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. We love Maggie and want to help her.

Thank you in advance for your support.

 

[hudson78]

Keep your dog leashed while on walks and do not allow her to confront strange dogs if she is dog aggressive. Perhaps training would be a good idea also. My 2.5 yr old female doesn't get along with all dogs and I now keep her leashed on walks to avoid a fight.. In regards to aggression towards people i'm not to sure as i've never had this issue but try the search engine and i'm sure you'll find some previous posts....


Good luck.

 

[cody&duke]

Cody doesn't like other big dogs, only ones that are smaller. I too think it is from when he was a younger being around an aggressive dog. I walk Cody every day. He is always on a leash. When we see other dogs, we will walk in the street and I keep him on a tight leash. With the proper introductions he can adapt to other dogs though.

It seems like your neighbors need a wake up call. That is awful.

When I was a kid, we had a dog. When she went into heat for the first time she wouldn't let other neigborhood kids into the yard and even growled at me once. Has she been spayed? I have no idea if this is a coincedence or has something to do with being in heat...may be somthing to look into?

As far as being aggressive to people, that must be really stressful on not only you but her. She may not feel safe around people.

There are a lot of knowledgable people here that I am sure some training/ and or suggestions.

Good Luck,

Sarah

 

[Prophecy]

Yah I can suggest something that will make you upset but Im going to say it anyways.

1) You need to set your neighber straight. If you cant provide a safe environment for your dog where you are now then you need to move.

2) The kids poking the dog, Thats simply horriable. Put up a privacy fence or start watching your dog more closley. Cant do this? Refer back to point 1.

3) Seek professional help. Your dog has been through some trauma by being attacked twice and then the incident with the kids. Take your dog to a trainer and tell them the truth and get help.

Also you need to be a little more protective over your dog. Next time the neighbers dog gets out call the human society. He needs awake up call. Call the cops. If that dog bites your dog, take your dog to the vet and send him the VET bill and then if refuses take him to court.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Proph

 

[ladyluck_t]

I have a couple of ideas, but since i am not a trained dog behaviorist please just take them with a grain of salt
First, if your babies personality has changed that drastically, you might want to see a vet. that way you can rule out any health related issues. She might be in pain.
Second, I would talk with a trainer or behaviorist, explain the situation and see if there is something that can be done. Keep an eye on what "triggers" the aggressive behavior to see if there is a common thread, it might be something as simple as how these people are approaching her. Perhaps the children are running towards her, which she may see as another attack like the neighbors dog.
Third, talk with your neighbors, tell them what is the problem and what has happened. they may be unaware or uninformed. if that is not the case, well, call animal control and see what your options are.
Lastly, about those neighborhood kids, call their parents and alert them to this behavior. as a parent of a teenager that will follow his "friends" up on a school roof for no reason whatsoever, the parents may not be aware of the situation. Kids can be cruel, especially when they get into the "pack" mentality. they may not have pets and dont know how to treat them properly. But then again, many behaviors of children are learned from their parents, if the parents refuse to do anything, call the sherriff. cruelty to animals is an arrestable offense. it might shock them.

I am sure you came to many of those conclusions already, so forgive me if just reiterated what you already know or have tried. I will say a prayer for your family!

Good luck and great big hugs and boxer kisses from katie

Carolyn and Katie

 

[BoboTheBoxer]

I agree with Prophecy's post

My question is..where were you when all of these events occurred??!! With all due respect if you were not negligent and watched your pup, these incidents may not have happened. I understand one can not be a 24 hour watch guard but these events most likely would not occur if under your watchful eye. I hope you and your pup make out ok and please if you cannot watch your pet(s) put them in a secure place away from these dangers!!

 

[Evie&Adam]

You definitely need to set those kids straight!!! and fast!!! I would take the toughest approach possible and scare the H**L out of those kids. Have a police officer or animal control officer talk to the kids about animal cruelty.

Then, dont leave your little girl alone. She's gonna needs LOTS of lovin' to overcome this.

 

[HarleyMama]

My question is..where were you when all of these events occurred??!! With all due respect if you were not negligent and watched your pup, these incidents may not have happened. I understand one can not be a 24 hour watch guard but these events most likely would not occur if under your watchful eye. I hope you and your pup make out ok and please if you cannot watch your pet(s) put them in a secure place away from these dangers!!

I dont know quite how to put this, but without knowing specifics of the situation when her dog was attacked by the neighbors dog, I'd be careful about calling someone negligent b/c their pup was attacked. I personally would be very hurt if this comment was directed to me. I know many people and have read many posts on BW where people have had their pups attacked by aggressive dogs in their watch and some who were attacked even while leashed.

However, I agree with everyone in that you should maybe see a behaviorist and look into getting a privacy fence. Your girl is going to need a lot of time a love to overcome this, but I'm sure its something that y'all can deal with as long as you have help and support. And call the cops on those kids AND your neighbor if his dogs even come in your yard, if you've warned him enough already, you need not warn again.

Good Luck,
Melissa

 

[emma'sdad]

i to agree w/ Prophecy, post

Its just part of being a responsible pet owner.
If the invisible fence isn’t getting the job done, then its time to invest in a privacy fence.
I know that you shouldn’t have to resort to that, but for the safety of your babies that is probably the best option.
Not that I’m passing judgment, but my girl is NEVER outside unless I’m with her.
I think that you need to have a talk with your neighbors, and if they wont listen to reason then you may have to take them to court.
If its there dogs fault that you have to put up a fence and it would help contain there dogs as well then they should pay for half, and they
should reimburse your vet bills.

Good luck, I know that you’re in bad situation
leray

 

[CarlaS]

I do feel that I have to watch out for Porter my furbaby and protect him from skinbabies much more than the other way around. The truth is, most children do not know naturally how to respect an animal, they have to be taught. Sadly, I don't think most parents teach their children to respect animals and to treat them kindly (all those lame people that go out and shoot neighborhood cats with bb guns, showing their children that animals are here for our amusement). I would definitely seek out a behaviourist to help out. I would also keep your dog away from kids right now. I agree with others that you should put up a privacy fence. It will probably bring your poor baby's stress level down quite a bit. Right now she must feel like she has to be constantly on guard to protect herself from the neighbor dogs and the neighborhood children. Wishing you better times ahead.