Expert: Jannie Balliett - 8/16/2009

Question
We have just rehomed a 3 year old male boxer about 5 weeks ago. We don't know much about his past but from what we do know he has not been socialised with other dogs. He is fantasic with people but has issues with other dogs. When he meets dogs he wants to knock them over and stand over them but does not bite. Unfortuantely he has been involved in a couple of fights and now feel we have no option but to confine him to his leash. We have had some success and he has made friends with my sisters dog and they are Ok together. We are wondering if you have any suggestions? We are considering having him neutered but am not sure if this will help or not.

Answer
Neutering has nothing to do with aggression or behavior.

The standing over another dog is alpha.

He is displaying his position over them as the "alpha" dog.

Never let him outside off a leash anyway, except in a fenced yard. No dog should be off leash-- it is dangerous to him as well as others and other animals for any dog to be off leash.

All you can do is continue the socialization with the dogs he is friends with, and when you walk him or have him out on a leash-- (buy a whistle) and blow your whistle to get his attention and verbally reprimand him about the aggression toward other dogs and people. He will soon associate the whistle to his immediate behavior and that you have reprimanded him to be "bad behavior."