Expert: Jannie Balliett - 5/25/2008

Question
Hi i have 16 month year old female boxer.  I know that the bread is playful but I'm concerned that she shows no aggressiveness in regards to strangers.  She will bark at strangers behind a door or behind the fence but if ever approached she will just go into the shake of the tale and look to be acknowledged by the stranger. Is there anyway to make her more aggressive or just less friendly toward complete strangers?
thanks

Answer
Not ALL Boxers are "aggressive" as you can now tell by your own.

It is a common mistake.

The breed is not an aggressive breed, but a protector breed: protects his/her family and territory.

Why would you want her more aggressive? All vets and breeders recommend socializing your dog to keep them from being "aggressive."

My own Boxer barks at strangers but hides behind or near me. She will stop barking when they come inside, but maybe continue to "growl."

Once they know the stranger and he isn't a stranger any longer, she stops the growling.

She always barks at people, unless they are constant visitors.

The tail wagging and butt wagging is her way of wanting attention and greeting the person. Just as she will greet you when you come home.

You can not make her aggressive. The only way to make her is to take her to classes, and most trainers will not deliberately make a dog aggressive; they do the opposite: socialize the dog and reprimand them for aggressive behavior.

If you want an aggressive breed, then get a Pit Bull, Doberman, Rottwaller, or the like.

Be thankful she is NOT aggressive. Too many Boxer owners have that problem and want to break the aggressive behavior.