Expert: Jannie Balliett - 8/25/2009

Question
We have a male boxer 1 1/2 yrs old.  I am home with him all day while I take care of my 20 month old grandson.  He just recently started jumping and biting me when we are in the yard playing. As soon as he thinks I am finished playing with him he runs and attacks me.  He even will knock me down when I don't see him coming.  He'll growl and jump and bite.  I can hardly play with the baby outside because he wants all the attention.  He won't harm the baby (he's even very good with him), but I'm afraid he might accidentally hurt him.  If I go to pick the baby up to take him inside the house, he'll come at me and it upsets the baby.
We walk him 2 or 3 times a day, a mile each time.  I play with him before the baby comes and after he goes home.  We've tried the dog park, but he jumps and boxes the other dogs and their owners don't approve, so we stopped taking him.  He is a very good dog all other times. We love him and spoil him too much, but I don't want this problem to get worse.  I'm afraid for my grandson, if he comes at me when I'm holding the baby, he could get bit. I've tried standing still and folding my arms, but he still jumps and bites.  I'm full of bruises and scratches.  We had him in basic training when he was a puppy so he knows commands.  Any suggestions I would be very grateful.
Thank you

Answer
Boxers are playful, some more than others, and by jumping up on you shows he wants to play.

He is associating you having your grandbaby with playing, and being at the dog park as playing.

He means no ill intent and isn't being aggressive- just playful.

I suggest buying a loud, obnoxious sounding whistle, and take it with you at these times.

Blow it when he jumps up and disobeys your commands to behave, and verbally reprimand him.

Continue this each and every time and soon, he will associate the whistle to the behavior. You might give him a treat for minding and remaining good.

There are dog collars to consider if that doesn't work for you.