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Boxers/Aggessive

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Expert: - 8/4/2010


Question
My 4yr old female boxer is becoming aggressive to strangers and other dogs, she never use to act like that.  Today she nipped at the mail man for no reason and a few weeks ago she attacted the female neighbor dog.  We have a 2yr old male boxer as well and she gets along with him just fine.  what can I do to correct this aggressive behavior before she bites someone?

Answer
Hi Jyl,

Re-enforce your obedience training with her on a daily basis for at least 15 minutes, the sit command, stay, come , down command. A pinch collar may help you achieve more control over her in a quick way. Correct the behavior before it happens, this can be done by simply observing her body language and using the pinch collar to correct the bad behavior as soon as you see it is about to happen.If she is not spayed now would be a good time to explore that avenue. Socialize her more on daily walks for 30 minutes, this will allow you to be seen as the pack leader in a quicker way, she is taking the role over or you wouldn't be having this behavior. If you can't get a handle on the situation it would be advisable to seek an in-home trainer to help you out. Always stay calm when dealing with her but firm, if you let her get away with it just once you have to start all over again, so its important to never let her get away with not obeying a command. Good luck and thank you for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
Hi-Tower Boxers
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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