Very strange behavior: depression?

[kayboxer]

I have to disagree! They may have their issues, but as long as ShepNBoxinCA is willing to put in a little extra effort (like keeping them separated when left alone) and training, there is no good reason these two cannot coexist. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that one of them has to go, just yet. While they may be having bitch/bitch dominance issues, all it requires is some vigilance on their humans' part. Unless it escalates to the point that injuries are occuring or they become a danger to themselves or people, why rehome?

I have to agree also. If the shepherd is not going after her when you are around, then there is still a good possibility they can live together. Now, if they were fighting every time they got together, then you definately could have a big problem. I would definately (not try) to seperate them during the day and correct any behavior you see happen when you are there. You might even consider calling a behavior specialist (if there is one) in your area and visit with them about this issue and get some recommendations. I hope it can all be worked out without having to rehome one of them, and it is definately worth a shot. Keep us posted on how it goes.

 

[ShepNBoxinCA]

I must say that I'm a little shocked to hear the suggestion of giving one of our dogs away! I can't even say that dominance IS the issue! Especially since our boxer has had issues since we brought her home as a puppy. She's ALWAYS been overly submissive and a little fearful by nature, it just seems to be more so lately. At this point, someone else's home is NOT an option. As far as I'm concerned, it never will be. We love our dogs and will go to any length to maintain their health both physically and mentally. Neither dog is aggressive, or have shown any sign of danger to the other. I'm just trying to narrow down any potential reasons for our boxer's behavior. She acts like this even around humans when the shepherd isn't in the picture. It may be that this is her character, for whatever reason.

Even during obedience training when we first got her, she cowered and piddled. The more I write and think about this, the more I'm tending to rule out shepherd dominance. I'll still separate them and give it a shot to see if anything improves, but somehow I don't think that will resolve the problem.

 

[silly24boxer]

When she is scared are you petting her and telling her its okay, its okay because sometimes these increases the behaviour. She thinks she is suspose to be scared because you are in a way saying that she is suspose to act this way when you are telling her its okay. Try to ignore her when she behaves this way and just continue on. Sort of make her face her fears she will see that somethings are not so scary if she figures it out on her own. Example one day a basket fell out of the closest making a lound bang. Gauge ran away and was shaking. Silly me said its okay, its okay and made a big deal out of him shaking. Well now guess what happens when I go to the closest to get my coat. Gauge bee-lines it to the living room and sits and shakes. He does it every time and seems to think this is what he is suspose to do. Now I ignore the behavior and he is doing it less and less. Think about it some things we do out if kindness can really teach a dog to be scared. I do not know if this will help you but I thought I would give you another view.

Darlene

 

[ChristyA]

I think trying to keep them apart when you are not home is a good start. Try this for a month and see what happens. When we got out female she was afraid of her own shadow. The man that gave her to us said she had become increasingly timid and afraid during the 6 months he had her, she was 8 months old when we got her. The reason he gave her to us was not because she had become timid, one day he came home from work and found his roommates dog had her pinned down and was growling at her. That other dog had never done this when someone was home, he wasn't the alpha dog when people were home, only when the dogs were home with no people. It took her a long time to come out of her shell. The funny thing was we already had a male the exact same age that she is and they got along fine from day one. They were both crated while we weren't home until they were about 6 years old, because they would chew up all kinds of stuff. I'm sure you love both of your dogs and want them both to be happy and healthy.
Goodluck
Christy
Dexter & Sophie both 9 1/2

 

[ShepNBoxinCA]

We really don't pay attention to her when she's acting fearful. For example, her piddling has gotten better as we ignore her when we first come home and wait until she's calm before petting. Then when we pet her we pet her back and chest. If we try to pet her head, she'll crouch.

Once in awhile our girls will want to console her when she seems sad but we're discouraging that and instead, we have them jump around and play and call to her to join them. Sometimes this works.

I appreciate everyone's comments. We'll keep working with both dogs!