Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/17/2008

Question
my female boxer is approximately 19 months old and in heat.  She is agressive towards my other female dog that nurtured her as a puppy.  She also has become extremely attached to a rubber ball and carries it everywhere.  She is also more withdrawn than usual and is hesitant to leave the rubber ball alone.  Can you tell me what is going on?  How can I help her -- she doesn't seem to be happy

Answer
There is a number of things going on here:

1) She is in heat and as women, bitchy and all that goes with it.

2) She is obsessing over the rubber ball as if it is a "puppy." Buy her a dog-safe stuffed toy, like a puppy or squirrel or whatever so she knows it is hers and hers alone and can substitute it as a "puppy." She is nurturing and wanting to get pregnant and whelp pups. Go along with it...

3) She can be aggressive to other females because she sees them as competition with any potential male for mating. Remember, her and all dogs live to reproduce. It is their nature and instilled. She knows nothing else but to mate when she is in heat as it is her time and all she knows.

Please get her a stuffed toy that is safe (no little eyes, etc. to fall off) and indulge her with the "puppy" and love her more than normal, pay more attention to her now, and keep the other female dog away from her (as much as possible).