Expert: Jannie Balliett - 11/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: My male boxer is almost two years old. I also have a border collie mix. They have always gotten along except for the occasional time, involving a bone. I use to have to monitor them when giving them bones because they would get into it. That got better and then I had to move in with my in-laws while my husband went overseas. They have 2 Dobermans and 2 daschunds. My boxer and the male Doberman keep getting into fights, like draw blood type fights. It use to be the Doberman starting it but now it is my boxer starting it. They are becoming worse and worse fights and just yelling and a smack won't stop them anymore. We have to physically carry one of them away while holding the other one back. Then the other day, my dog had caught the cat (there are 2 outdoor cats) and was shaking it back and forth in his mouth! We had to smack him to get him to drop it. I feel like his aggression is becoming more frequent and I am scared to have him around other peoples dogs because I don't know how he will react. He normally gets along with every dog and plays well with them but I don't know what to do now. Any suggestions will help!!

ANSWER: This is a matter of relocation and not just any old relocation and uprooting of his home-- but one with a male alpha in it- the Doberman.

Your Boxer does not want to do as the Doberman alpha says. The Doberman is boss over his territory-- his domain-- his house.

The Boxer is the outsider and the Doberman does not think he belongs there and the Boxer is challenging the alpha for the position in order to survive.

You cannot change this. This is instinct. They should not be together. Simple as that.

Somehow, you are going to have to find a way to keep them separate at all times.

The Doberman outside in a fenced yard and the Boxer inside. And I say that because Boxers have to be inside and part of the family and in climate control. This is mandatory unless you want a dead Boxer.

The Doberman is a long nosed dog and can tolerate heat and cold where a short muzzled dog like Boxers, American Pit Bull, English Bull dog, Pugs, etc. cannot be outside. Ever.

If this is not possible, you need to get your own place. If that is not possible, then re-home one dog. Either your Boxer or their Doberman.

No other choices except for the above mentioned.



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

QUESTION: What about with the cats, he has been like that with cats no matter where we are. He usually just chases and barks, I have never seen him actually pick one up and shake it around.  

Answer
It is not uncommon for any dog to be aggressive and excited over cats-- it's the natural order. However, if a puppy is raised with a cat in the house, it will not be aggressive toward cats.

My Boxers hate cats and will kill them if I don't prevent it. I have no cats. But when they see one outside, they are almost impossible to control, but thankfully are inside a fenced yard and cannot get out.

So, you cannot change that behavior. It is natural, just as a cat is to a bird and mouse.