Why are they fighting so much?

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Logansmama

Boxer Buddy
The end of April my son moved back home with his 12 mon. old brindle boy Tyson. My Logan is a 14 mon. old brindle boy. They have always known each other thru frequent playdates and seem to enjoy each other very much.

They have always had their wrestling matches but lately have been very rough with each other. Even their growling sounds different, sometimes like they are going to kill each other. We haven't changed anything but I don't know how to stop them. I have never laid a hand on either in anger and I had been told not to put them in their crates when they are being naughty cause they will equate their crates with punishment, not just bedtime or me leaving the house for short times. Within 5 minutes of going out to play it sounds like wild wolves in the backyard. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks ~

debi, Logan and Tyson
 
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kassa

Boxer Insane
They're probably jockeying for position -- they're reaching sexual maturity and trying to decide who's in charge. Hopefully it won't go as far as a full blown fight before they work it out. And some of it might just be full contact fun (boxers do tend to play very loudly)

Personally, every breeder I know has no problem throwing a dog in the crate when it can't behave. I understand that you don't want the crate to ONLY be a place of punishment, especially for a baby puppy. But for dogs that are already accustomed to one, a "time out" there is not a major emotional blow.
I figure it's better than watching me blow my stack, or allowing whatever's going on to progress to a genuine situation.

Sometimes you just have to interrupt a behavior or an interaction between dogs. If crate time allows you to compose yourself, and allows the dogs' heart rates to drop and for them to get out of that crazy mental zone, it's all good.
 
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