Expert: Jannie Balliett - 1/25/2011

Question
Our 6 month old Boxer has recently been showing aggression towards the other animals we have in our home 2 dogs, 2 cats; male Maltese, female Queensland/Aussi mix, male Tabby and female Tabby.  Riley was brought into the home as a puppy and has been around the other animals since she was 8 weeks old.  She tends to be aggressive when its feeding time and play time.  She is also growling alot.  We are planning a training session soon.   She does also play with the  dogs and cats without being aggressive.  Please help.

Answer
The aggression is typical of female Boxers-- eating mostly. They don't like others around when eating. And far as playing- she is coming into her own and showing normal female aggression and the typical Boxer play... and probably getting angry at the one she's playing with.

Get a clicker or a whistle (go to your local pet store) and each time she acts aggressive and displays any type of unacceptable behavior, click the clicker or blow the whistle and get her attention. Reprimand her with a "no" and continue this being consistent.

Soon, she will associate the sound with a verbal "no" and associate it with the behavior act at that time.