Expert: Jannie Balliett - 7/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: This weekend out of know where my sister's boxer growled and bit her son.  The Boxer is 5, and a new dog has been brought into the house 6 months ago.  When the bit happened the my nephew was simply petting her head, and my sister was in the room.  My brother-in-law wants to put her down now.  Starting in May the dog started acting strange, my sister thought she was dying, I thought she just needed more love with the new puppy.  My sister took her to the vet and they ran a bunch of blood work and found no problems.  What can she do to ensure her child is safe.  The dog is an inside dog very loved, and even has her own recliner.

ANSWER: Let me get these facts straight and in order.

Your sister owns the Boxer-- not you.

The Boxer is 5 years old.

A new dog was brought into the family 6 months ago.

The vet said the Boxer is healthy.

Now, I have questions before I can answer:

1) Did they get the Boxer when she was a young puppy?

2) Was the Boxer (puppy?) from a breeder or individual that owned the mom, or was she a rescue Boxer?

3) Did they have any other pets in the household when they first got the Boxer (as a puppy?) ?

4) What breed and age is the new dog that was introduced into the family 6 months ago?

5) What was the Boxer's behavior to the new dog at the time?


Answer these questions and I will be able to help then.

Thank you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1) Did they get the Boxer when she was a young puppy?

         YES



2) Was the Boxer (puppy?) from a breeder or individual that owned the mom, or was she a rescue Boxer?

         Individual that owned the mom

         



3) Did they have any other pets in the household when they first got the Boxer (as a puppy?) ?

         NO





4) What breed and age is the new dog that was introduced into the family 6 months ago?

         Corqi – brought home as a puppy (born November 23 2008)





5) What was the Boxer's behavior to the new dog at the time?

         Initial reaction to the new puppy was love, and no jealously, rough house but only playing.

In May Jade (the Boxer) became distance, they first noticed this when they were taking the Corqi (Goose) to puppy training outside of the home.  So they then were allowed by the teacher to take Jade to the classes to observe.  Jade was real protective of Goose at the classes.



To date Jade seems to not want Goose around her at times.  Then for weeks she will be fine and play with Goose.


ANSWER: Okay, they got Jade when she was a puppy with no problems, then got Goose, the Corgi, as a puppy around 6 months ago. So Goose is still a puppy.

Goose went to classes, then Jade went to watch- feeling as though she were a part in the event. Good.

If Jade doesn't want Goose around her at times, it is because of their ages-- Jade is 5 and mature. Goose is still a puppy and too energetic and too much a baby.

Jade tires of the "baby-ness" and energy at the times she is tired and lazy, napping and resting.

This is typical.

It is also a typical adoptive parenting- Jade is the surrogate, adopted mother to Goose.

As far as Jade biting your nephew, it must have had some previous history there... how old is your nephew? 2-3, 5-6 years old? 10-13 years old?

If your nephew is a young child, there might have been some inappropriate playing with Jade. Dogs do not forget, and trust or distrust those that hurt them.

If she distrusted your nephew- the nip (bite) was a warning to not hurt her.

Boxers never hurt children. To say that Jade bit him, is so very much a stretch.

I have to say, even if your sister was in the room at the time-- she must not have seen the goings on and happenings. Because Boxers can be trusted even with newborn babies. They naturally love and protect children.

There is more than your sister is telling you, I'm sorry.

If her husband is afraid and worried, and no one is training and working with Jade, and no one is supervising her and Goose, then I suggest they re-home Jade to a loving family that has owned or currently owns Boxers.

They can call any Boxer rescue to re-home her. She will have the best loving home any Boxer could ask for if they could talk.

NO VET WILL "PUT HER DOWN" FOR NO REASON AND HIM "PUTTING HER DOWN" HIMSELF IS AGAINST THE LAW AND INHUMANE!

I suggest you take the bull by the horns and make some calls to the nearest Boxer rescue and explain it, and your sister's husbands HORRIBLE attitude, to them and let them work on getting a new home and family for Jade.

I highly recommend getting her out of there and away from that man.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you have children?  The Boxer did not bit into him like a piece of meat however she did draw blood to the surface.  My nephew is 8, and plays with her as a normal boy does.  A normal boy, not one that tortures dogs or other animals.  He is also supervised when playing with the dog.  He was sitting with her in her recliner in their living room when the dog growled and bit him.  I was on the phone with my sister when it happened.  As a Father the first priority is your child, and when the trust you have with your family pet is broken as it was that day your first reaction as a parent would be that the dog must go.  We were reaching out to you for help, as we found it very abnormal behavior for this Boxer and we were searching the world to see if anyone has experience or could tell us what else could be going on with the dog, aside from this particular incident the new mood swings.   My Brother-in-law is hard from a horrible man, and you shouldn’t be so quick to judge people you don’t know.  Not to say people can’t contribute to a dogs “issues” but you have pegged this family wrong.  No need to response, I believe you have said enough.  I should have paid more attention to the clause that this information provided by this site is NOT PROFESSIONAL ADVISE.

Answer
I am not answering but responding that I have over twenty years of training and breeding Boxers.

All anyone can do is access a situation as it is presented.

Boxers do not bite without being threatened or protecting their family. Simple.

No one states "put her down" without people thinking that is an insensitive and cruel person.

The first reaction would be to "find her another home, possibly without children" before stating "put her down."

Sorry-- I stand by my advise based on your information.