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Boxers/female boxer snapping and growling

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Expert: - 2/7/2010


Question
QUESTION: our 2 year old boxer is in heat and she is snapping and growling at our 4 year old son. this has never happened before and she has done it 3 or 4 times in the last 2 weeks, could this be from being in heat?

ANSWER: Hi Angela,

Yes it could be but it may not be as well. Keep the dog crated and away from your son and others. Take her to the vet and have her checked out. I would also call in a behaviorist in your local area ASAP to help. In home evaluation is much needed in these types of cases. Thank you for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com

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

QUESTION: also i might add that the boxer has an ear infection so my son will be taking her to the dr. she has never snapped or growled before at my grandson, and she has been with them since she was a pup she is now 2 years old could the ear problem has something to do with it and should we be worried about her behavior?

Answer
Hi Angela,

Yes any time a dog is snapping and growling you should be worried , there is a reason and for safety reasons its best to isolate the dog away from children and others until the problem can be handled and diagnosed properly by your vet and a in house consultation with a behaviorist/trainer to help address the problems and possible causes if not health related.The behaviorist or trainer can help you and your family with detailed strategies to eradicate the problems if its not health related. I would not recommend taking the behavior lightly and get to the bottom of it with the vet and behaviorist/trainer. Without a professional coming to your house to observe the dog, the family and the behaviors it will be impossible to help you, as I can not see what is actually going on. Surely the dog is miserable being in heat and having a ear infection at the same time, and its common for dogs to snap and growl when in pain or out of fear but I would not take any chances. Please ask your vet and a local behaviorist for their opinions and recommendations as well.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com

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Angela Donald

Expertise

I'll be happy to answer questions about boxer dog allergies,behavior,behavior modification,breeding,care,coat color genetics,diet,ear cropping,exercise,genetics,grooming,health,history,pedigrees,showing and training.

Experience

I am a dedicated dog enthusiast and guardian of boxers for 40 years, a boxer conformation show exhibitor and breeder as well as a canine behavior consultant with a special interest in the boxer breed. I currently share my life with six boxer dogs.See our family of Boxer Dogs

Organizations
American Boxer Charitable Foundation

Publications
I currently contribute regularly to Dog-Canine Blog.I am the founder and publisher of The Boxer Behavioral Journal,a scientific journal with detailed behavioral case study information,which someday I hope will add valuable knowledge to the breeding,care and health of the breed.I am also a freelance writer with my latest article: Distinctive Behaviors of Boxer Dogs found at http://www.hitowerboxers.com/boxerdogbehavior.htm and distributed on the world wide web.

Education/Credentials
I have a MBA from AU.I have gotten real life experiences from my 40 years of the family owning boxers and other canine breeds, through my boxer rescue rehabilitation efforts, obedience training of the breed, more than 20 years of study on dog-canine behavior, genetics, health research,from my work as a canine behavioral consultant,exhibitor and breeder. My quest for canine knowledge is a never ending journey.

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