Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/20/2008

Question
I have a 7 year old 86 pound male boxer.  Up until 2 years ago, he never showed aggressive behavior, but for the last two years he is so protective of me that if my husband or son speaks loudly to me or puts their arm around me, etc. he begins to bark and act aggressively.  One time, he actually jumped up on my husband when my husband was trying to get him to go outside and the dog didn't want to.  We have been putting up with this for so long because my husband and I have been living apart for the last two years (because of a change in jobs for my husband) and only see each other every other weekend or so, so we don't have to deal with it on a daily basis.  If I am not in the house (away for the weekend or whatever) the dog's behavior is fine, he actually only misbehaves when I am around.  He is so protective and follows me everywhere....we had my Daughter's Boston Terrior living with us when this behavior started occurring and he tolerated that dog well even though the dog would bite, tease, and torment him relentlessly.  We don't know if his current behavior is a result of that or not.  Please help, soon my husband and I will be living together again and I can see that we are going to have problems with our Boxer's behavior.  I really love the dog and do not want to have to part with him, but to be honest, we lost the trust in him, and are afraid of his actions....he is still good with kids, I walk him every night and he does fine with that, does not bark when we are outside walking, etc., but carries on inside the house when he sees someone coming down the street, etc., (and he doesn't listen to our commands to stop).  As far as medical history, he has been pretty healthy aside from having a tumor on his leg removed 2 years ago.  

I am thinking of getting a shock collar to resolve this aggressive action, but not sure how to use it properly.  Some advice please?  

Answer
You've recognized the problem yourself-- the Boston Terrier's presence threatened the Boxer's "territory" and "master" ... i.e. you.

All Boxers have unique personalities and character, yet are all the same with "Boxer" shared behaviors and characteristics, etc. Yours has a "quirk" about sharing you and feels he'll loose you to the Terrier as well as feels protective of you not wanting to share you- you are exclusively his and his alone.

Is the Terrier gone now and out of the house?

As far as your husband and son goes:  THEY will have to be patient and work hard at this=  They must go slowly and speak normal if not softer. They will need to be aware of the pitch and tone of their voices, etc. The Boxer needs to readjust to your husband and without feeling competition with him.

When it comes to cuddling and putting his arm around you, when your Boxer begins to bark, etc. YOU must calmly tell him it is okay and love on him and then love on your husband, and back to the Boxer back and forth "showing" him that your husband is okay to you and is okay to him.

What we have here is a need to show and prove. Yes, show and prove to your Boxer that husband and son are family and a part of you.

Supervise you husband and son playing with him. They should spent every day playing and loving him. Boxers love tug-o'-war. Your Boxer needs to establish a relationship with them and as long as you are there, he will understand they are an extension of you.

Be patient and work with him. Apparently that Terrier traumatized him and now it is up to you and family to fix it.

The collar is a BAD idea and will only traumatize him more and worse.