Expert: Jannie Balliett - 3/21/2009

Question
I have a three year old female boxer.  Lately she has been getting extremely
vocal in play.  At the dog park she can sound quite ferocious. The other dogs
don't seem to be upset with it, however, their owners do.  We recently
acquired a three month old male (St Bernard) and in playing with him, she is
quite rough and growly.  I intervene and distract.  What methods can I use to
have her tone it down.  Many thanks

Answer
Did she become more vocal after you got the St. Bernard?

A only child Boxer might not be so vocal-- but when a new sibling is added, it brings out the social aspect of a Boxer. They are a very social breed and do well with other dogs in the family.

This is her playful and happier side- not an aggression-type side.

As long as she is not aggressive, and it is growling and being more vocal in a playful way, there isn't anything to worry about.

Some Boxers are not as vocal, as some are. Mine is. She communicated with the "woo-woo" song, low consistent throaty growls for my signal to let her outside to do her job, a high-pitched bark for excitement, etc.

If you are concerned because of other people at the dog park being afraid or worried, then training is in order.

Buy a whistle and when she becomes to vocal and growling, blow it as a signal which gets her attention, and she stops, then verbally reprimand her in a stern voice using easy-to-understand words. Simple words. Like "no, softer."

When she learns to associate "no, softer" with a hand signal to "lower downward" and you use a softer, lower voice, she will soon associate that with the whistle sound to her immediate behavior and mimic you.

Repeat this each and every time, and take the whistle with you to the dog park too.  Be consistent and soon she will be less vocal.

But remember, you are stifling her personality.  You are changing it. You want her to be herself, as long as she is not aggressive.  All in fun and play is healthy.