Was this normal?!

[jrackow]

My baby is 7.5 months old now. I took him today to meet up with two older boxers (9 and 6) at their house. I expected the male of that house to be dominant, but I did not expect what happened. They came to the fence and the male (9 year old) was growling and barking like crazy at Mojo coming up. Their owner said it was fine, that they were just being protective. So, we went into the yard. The dogs sniffed each other for about 3 seconds before the male started, what seemed to me to be, attacking Mojo. Biting, growling, barking, spit flying, craziness. Of course I freaked out, because I've never seen this before. I grabbed Mojo and the male dog kept coming after him. His owner said "it's normal! It's what they do!" But it did NOT seem normal to me, and I was NOT okay with it. Mojo is still basically a toddler, he has no idea what to do when attacked/approached like that. He came running to me and cowered between my legs. We tried again. and again. The male dog kept coming at Mojo like that. It looked very much like an attack to me, but then again, I've never taken Mojo to play with more than one dog at a time. I then asked the owner to put the male inside because I was very uncomfortable, and Mojo and the female played just fine.

So, was that behavior normal? Do dogs really "attack" each other like that to show each other who is boss? Was my panic for nothing? I couldn't just stand there and let my baby be approached like that. Thoughts?

 

[boxerlvrs]

Could be....

When our male was a little guy he had been around a 3 year old boxer his entire life. When we adopted him and took him back a few weeks later for a visit the older one pounced on our little guy and pinned him. After a minute of rough housing he licked him and let him up. When I brought my female Pixie around Bonzo who was about 1 1/2 years older than her they constantly attacked eachother. They are now inseperable and if anyone messes with one then the other gets involved. I think it is just a boxer trait... just keep a close eye on it and keep it from getting TOO out of control. =)

 

[mueltrain]

Well it is true that many people mistake rough play for an attack, especially when it comes to boxers because they make that noise while they play. It can be difficult to distinguish between play biting and hurting biting. I just got a new pup and a lot of people are like omg when they start playing and jay is "biting" her and knocking her around, but she loves it and whenever she gets the opportunity gives it right back . If i had to guess i would say that they were probably just playing with mojo, but it is ur right to intervene, or not play with those particular dogs if you feel uncomfortable. Maybe next time you should try introducing him one a time with the male first... Also it might be a good idea to walk all 3 dogs before you let them play and let them burn off a little excess energy.

 

[Madness]

I had a similar experience with my first boxer who is now over the bridge, we went to my ex's house to get my daughter's and they had a siberian husky. Well, I let my guy out and he sounded like he wanted to EAT their dog. I was afraid this particular time, but after that day I realized he wanted to play! And eventually I figured this out! Boxers are simply amazing!

 

[Mesquite]

I think I'd have reacted the same way. Although boxers do play rough, it sounds to me like that older male has some issues as is way too agressive. I wonder if he would have acted differently if he had been brought to your home or someplace else - perhaps he was just being territorial.

 

[iluvfrankie]

As i work with over 50 dogs on a daily basis and we do group walkies with all different breeds, ages, temperments and sizes. When i first started working there i was very unsure where play ends and fights begin and believe me there can be a very fine line between them!

I can now tell the difference. Some dogs play very gentle and others like the Boxer, German short haired pointer, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and some Huskies will play so rough that it looks like they are killing each other!

I run 50 dogs in groups of 4-5 on a daily basis and beside the odd 'tussle' which i lowered tone of voice or a tap on the body will stop i have only witnessed 2 fights.

I would be more cautious with a pup because the are smaller but rough play is normal for some dogs. Only u can know what they were doing as u were there. It will always be ur decision as its ur baby.

 

[Widges]

I think I'd have reacted the same way. Although boxers do play rough, it sounds to me like that older male has some issues as is way too agressive. I wonder if he would have acted differently if he had been brought to your home or someplace else - perhaps he was just being territorial.

I have to agree here. While I know that Boxer play rough & some are quite vocal - the way you have described this is that the other male was way aggressive. Maybe he was being territorial, maybe not - can you meet some place neutral?

 

[Jan]

The Male boxer was trying defend his turf. What you should have done is have them meet on neutral territory, like a nearby park. Then you could have taken them back to the yard and they may have been fine.

The male may have not been attacking your dog, but the behavior was not appropriate and you don't know that it may have escalated into a fight. You probably did the right thing.

 

[Kilby'sMum]

Absolutely agree with Widges and Jan, when meeting new dogs try and do it somewhere neutral so that no-one has a 'home-advantage' or anything to 'protect'. I also think that introducing one dog at a time might help... I know if our girls have a new 'friend' over they are like little kids and will play harder and faster than normal, really showing off which can be VERY scary for some dogs and their owners. Even though I know they're only playing I also know that puppies and little dogs can really get hurt (whether that's the intention or not) so we always separate our two and introduce them one at a time, once they seem to have calmed down then we let them all go at it, seems to work well for us.

Having said that, we let our girls play however they want when they're on their own. The noises they make and the ferocity with which they play is unbelievable and I've run out to the backyard more than once to see if they're both still alive only to find them running and leaping and boxing and having a grand old time