Expert: Jannie Balliett - 3/1/2008

Question
Hello Jannie,
I have a 9 mnth old, just nudered boxer pupppy that has started showing aggression towards other dogs in the last month, aswell as wondering and not listening. If i call him he just stands there and looks at me, if i do get close to him he will run farther away. Before that he was such a friendly dog that loved to socialize with other dogs. We would go walking every morning down at the beach with no leash he would listen soooo good it was never a issue. I had done some puppy obedience classes with him about a month before we moved, but he didn't seem to like the classes, he became very reactive on leash in class. We just bought a house with some friends that have two young kids.  Do you have any feedback as to why he would have done a 360 in such a short time. Does he think hes protecting the kids???

Answer
The move is the cause.

This is very common in all pets.

He was used to the old home, and now has been relocated to a new one, and this causes anxiety which in turn causes aggression.

You are going to have to leash him.

EVERYWHERE you go, everywhere you take him, keep him on a leash. This identifies that YOU are in control and YOU are the ALPHA.

Reprimand him (while on the leash) when he shows any type of aggression; i.e. barking, lunging, growling, snapping, higher anxiety behavior, etc. and tighten the leash showing control and restraint and that his behavior is NOT acceptable. Use a firm tone of voice and grip, but no spanking or hitting.


Do not ever allow your Boxer (or any dog) to roam freely: at the beach or not. NEVER. This teaches the dog that he can do anything he wants, go anywhere he wants and he is the boss- not you. Besides, it is extremely dangerous on different levels, and could result in his injury or worse, death. (In a fenced yard with you watching him so he
won't jump the fence, is the only time he should be allowed to roam freely. i.e. potty and exercise time.)

To call him and get him to obey and come to you, leash him, and have another family member hold the leash while you stand 4-5 feet in front of him, and call his name, ordering him to "come" or "come here." The other person should have a loose hold on the leash so if he starts to come to you, they can let go. Or, do this in the house- it's safer. Then practice in a fenced yard.

Constant routine, consistency, is the key. One or two word commands is a key factor. Using his name in the command is a key. Always reward him with a treat. Use a special treat that he only gets in his practices, not any other time. They are to be "special."

You can use a small piece of cheese, or cereal pieces, or a plain, unsalted cracker with peanut butter on it, or a ready-made treat.

Are you saying the friends with two young children are living with you and the Boxer. If he is good with the children, then he will protect them, however, this is when he is in the house or presence of the children. Anywhere else without the children has nothing to do with the children, but his habitual behavior he is developing.

You must stop this behavior to evolve. Do the training in a confined environment and test it after a month.