Expert: Jannie Balliett - 3/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am a little worried about my 1 year old boxer.  We got him after he was 8 weeks old from a wonderful breeder.  At 4 months, we started taking him to a dog park, which he grew to absolutely love.  This winter we started taking him to doggy day care as well.  His personality is a stereotypical boxer, outgoing, friendly, funny, loving, playful, ect.  He was also very submissive when he was younger.  In November we brought another puppy into the house, another male boxer.  They are exactly 6 months apart.  Our new addition was not exposed and it has taken us awhile to get him remotely close to trusting us, others, and certain situations (ex: a car zooming by).  The two of them love one another and have never show aggressive signs toward the other.  However, our oldest, Poseidon seems to be dominant over the younger one, Capone.  Although, Capone is very leary of strangers, noises, and becomes very protective.  However Poseidon steals his toys and wins rough housing.  About two months ago I took the two of them to the dog park and Poseidon was mounted.  For the fist time he showed attitude.  The dog was consistent and the more times he tried, the more Poseidon became aggressive.  I ended up taking them out because Poseidon got so worked up, foaming, showing teeth, growling.  I waited about a month before going back and Poseidon was mounted again.  He reacted the same way and actually lunged at the dog who mounted him.  A few days later we went back and Poseidon got in a quarrel with a dog.  I did not see it but I believe the other dog initiated it.  About 20 minutes later Poseidon got in another one (growling, lunging, teeth grinning, snarling) with another one over what seemed to be nothing.  We sat him down and 5 minutes later when he was let loose he went after him again.  We took him out and waited a little bit.  Then another dog mounted him three times, each time his aggression escalated, up until the point where I had to pick him up when the dog approached because he started growling when the dog came near him.  We took him to doggy day care today and a 5 month old puppy was there.  The two of them approached the dog and started smelling each other.  Poseidon just started growling under his breath.  We do reprimand him and I firmly believe I am the alpha dog in the house.  The two of them are well trained and are disciplined when needed (ex: taking time outs, told no; made to sit).  I am concerned as this is not Poseidon's personality.  He is very happy go lucky, loves life, people and other dogs.  Should I be worried?  Please help.

ANSWER: I need to know what you mean by "mounting."

If it's a Boxer mount where the Boxer shows domination over another dog by over powering him, mounting his back...that is normal. All dogs display the "alpha" dominance by mounting the back of their opponent.

If it's a mating mount, then I don't blame him for fighting.

And if so, take him to your vet. It is rare, but happens, where there is a hormonal imbalance. He might have more female hormones, thus, smells female.

Voice your concerns to your vet over that. Let him check him out.

Now, for the dominance and aggression:

Doggy daycare can cause dogs to become aggressive by competing with one another. The park (doggie parks) are the same: some dogs want to establish their dominance right away...

You will have to discontinue the doggie park for awhile until you can re-establish control with Poseidon.

Take him for walks on a leash. If and when he shows aggression(s) then you show him who is alpha by controlling his leash, shorting his length, pull/tug for reprimand and verbally reprimand him.

Do this as often as you can. If you have a fenced in back yard, it works well there to establish control (leash control).

If he continues to show aggressions, you might consider reprimanding him with a muzzel. I hate them, however, it is better to teach him that the growling and attacking means a muzzel than him hurt someone, another dog, or get hurt himself.

He will learn if you are diligent.

Good luck and if you need more help and have more questions, email me at jannieballiett @ yahoo.com or ask here.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: By mounting, it is usual a male and it seems to be mating?  although I am not sure the differences.  The dogs that have been mounting him are not even playing with him.  They just come over and begin mounting.  They go away and end up coming back repeatedly.  They are not even initiating play or aggression, its purely to just hump.

At doggy day care we have had no problems.  The women who work there love him.  In fact one of them is taking the two boys next week while we are away (that is if Poseidon doesn't act up).  It was her 5 month old that Poseidon just started growling at.  He was on leash but with the past episodes and never having a problem on a leash before I am unsure of where it is coming from.  I just dont want it to spiral out of control.

I am wondering if it has to do with having the second pup in the house.  Do you think his dominance over the pup has no filtered outside of our home?  Sometimes he gets upset if dogs try to play with his toys.  We have started to not allow him to steal Capones toys.  Because sometimes hell be playing with one and hear Capone playing with another.  He go right up to Capone and take his toy, just to be a bully.

Capone also has a more protective side to him.  He is alert and does not trust anyone or anything.  Could that have caused Poseidon to start acting that way?  Although it is only towards dogs that Poseidon is showing aggression.

My parents have a 5 year old boxer.  I am visiting them next week.  Would I benefit from allowing their boxer to play with Poseidon and leave Capone in doors.  My parents dog has always been dominant over them; never has a fight erupted over them either.

Also I was wondering if space would have anything to do with it.  The dog park has been really icy and small parts have only been available to play safely.  Could he feel trapped in?

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Change is always a factor. The new puppy could make him feel threatened and of course show dominance by acting out as "alpha" of the house.

This can even be passive-aggressive behavior such as taking toys away, etc. just to establish the "alpha" over the pup. He knows Capone is docile and won't fight, so he thinks he has the "alpha" position now.

Yes, let him be around your parent's Boxer(s) to establish an order. Once he knows he is not an "alpha" the better.

You are going to have to be the "alpha" at all times by reprimanding him and putting him in his place. It is a job and a round the clock job too.

He thinks his house belongs to him as an alpha of the domain, and he will display alpha acts when outside with other dogs.

Keep working with him and establish punishment for his behavior, and use it each and every time.