Expert: Jannie Balliett - 2/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a 7 year old male boxer. I also have a 6yr daughter and 3yr old son. Just recently my boxer started growling at them.  I thought it was because they were bothering him. But, the more I paid attention to it they weren't doing anything at all.  They would just hug him or look at him and he would let out a low growl. Today my son accidently tripped and fell on him. My boxer let out a loud growl and bark and he snapped at him.  This scared me and my son.  I am not sure what to do at this point.  I am thinking about finding another home for my boxer.  So, my question is, is this normal behavior?

ANSWER: Have you had him since he was a puppy? And if so, was he well-behaved up until recently?

At the age of 7 years old, he is senior. With being a senior dog, comes illnesses and disabilities.

He could have arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other senior problems.

This means he has pain and horrible discomfort.

With that, he does not want to be "handled," especially by a 3 and 6 year old who do not understand, and might be playing with him like he was a puppy instead of a senior dog.

If he has those possible senior problems and pain, being tripped on and fallen on would cause excruciating pain, and obviously a reaction.

I would have your vet check him for those disabilities and begin treatments; this could be moderate pain medication, anti-inflammatory medications, special diet for arthritic dogs, and other treatments to alleviate his discomfort.

If he checks out in good health without arthritis and hip dysplasia, then it could possibly be hormonal changes due to age. Even thyroid or other changes.

Please have your children refrain from playing with him until diagnosed.

There is not a behavior issue to modify, and not knowing his history with your family and family dynamics; when you got him, his socializing, his behavior when children came into his life, how they relate to him, how they play with him, how you relate to him when he is with your children, etc.

If you provide me with history and previous behaviors and attitudes, I can help.



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

QUESTION: We have had him since he was a puppy.  My 1st child was born 10 months after we got him. Three years later we had our 2nd child.  My boxer has not had any health problems. He has been well behaved until recently. My children don't play with him because he is not an active dog. The only time my children get near him is just to pet him or hug him.  I'm starting to think that he is just being a grumpy old dog.  Do you have any suggestions as to what I can do?

Answer
If he has always previously been well behaved, and had no other signs of the current growling and nipping, and grew up with the children (Boxers love children and I've never heard of one hurting a child), then I would tend to think he has pain due to arthritis and is "grumpy" due to pain.

He knows that the children can make him hurt, especially after one falling and tripping on him.

Please take him to the vet with the concerns of arthritis and pain- and allow the vet to x-ray him and check him. He needs blood work as well to check for diabetes and thyroid, and any other disorder; kidney function, liver, etc.

I believe his recent grumpiness and warning with growls signifies his pain he is enduring.

Let me know what the vet discovers, and we'll take it from there. In the meantime, keep the kids away from him and keep him comfortable; nice cozy bedding, fresh food and water available to him (self-feed) 24/7, and put him on a senior diet for older, inactive dogs. No corn and no glutens in it, please. You might try the bone and joint supplements daily, as well as a nice, well-rounded vitamin.

Add some plain (no flavors) whole yogurt (a generic brand is fine) to his new senior diet dog food once or twice a day for healthy digestive and its benefits.