Expert: Angela Donald - 10/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: i have a male and female boxer, the female is 19 mos old and the male is 6 mos old, my question is how come they do bark when they see strangers?

ANSWER: Hi Glenn,

The dogs bark to alert you to the presence of strangers who are not part of the pack, you and your family are their pack not strangers. Boxers are a hearing guard dog thus they are doing their jobs. Thank you for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
Hi-Tower Boxers
http://www.hitowerboxers.com


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

QUESTION: im sorry angela what i mean my boxers does not bark when they see strangers considering their ages.

thanks

Answer
Hi Glenn,

Yes they are young and it could play a role in it for lets say the six month old, now this one is taking in what the older one is doing and mirroring the elders' way. If the elder isn't barking then the young pup knows not to bark at strangers. But more than likely they have been very well socialized with people from an early age, maybe even your own family and friends have helped form the dogs perceived sense that people aren't a threat. The dogs will not bark unless they sense a threat. If you have a large family and many friends who stop by to visit regularly then they encounter many people who aren't their pack but who they perceive as non-threatening. If you take them on daily walks this can also be a factor in the way they perceive strangers. It would be no threat no bark. Now don't be surprised at around two years of age the boxers begin to bark at people,animals,etc., as this is the age they begin to mature.

Angela