Younger boxer getting more aggressive towards older boxer

[Hawkeye222]

I have two boxers, one a 5 3/4 year old brindle and one 3.5 year old fawn. About a year ago, they would fight (nipping each others ears but it looked really fierce) with each other every so often and that lasted for about two months. Since that time and before that time, they have been best of buds. Last night after the younger one finished eating his dinner (doesn't eat at the normal time but comes back later to eat), as usual the older one came by and ate the food droppings from the floor. This time, though, the younger one, who normally doesn't care, went after the older one. Bit him in the ear a few times and got all crazy. The older dog didn't really fight back. Is biting in the ear a way of saying they are serious but not serious enough to do real damage? Is the younger dog trying to be the dominate dog now? What should we look out for?

Thank you.

 

[ELubas]

it is interesting the behavior stopped and is now starting again. They are both neutered? Has the older one been ill? Your younger may have decided he wants to be "top dog"-not a big deal. They usually work it out on thier own. Not at all uncommon to go for an ear. Did your younger one actually bite? Sometimes they are just mouthing and they will catch the ear with a tooth when the other one pulls away. My girl challenges my older boy once in awhile. I do not like the fighting though so I put a stop to it. It has always been a lot of talk-no punctures or bites and as soon as I separate them they are over it. It has pretty much stopped but occassionally she will give it a shot. One thing I do do though is everyone finishes eating and the bowls get picked up. She is a slow eater and he ia fast but he knows bowls are off limits. I give her time to finish but make sure the bowl is picked up when she is done. Good luck