Expert: Jannie Balliett - 5/18/2011

Question
I have a 7yr old boxer, she has a wonderful nature and has always be great with children and other dogs. She is very territorial about our house and family and has always been suspicious of males. Since she has been young she has always reacted to someone being at the door, hair up, barking, we have dis-encouraged this throughout but it seems to have got worse in the last 6/12 months, now if anyone passes the house or she hears the slightest noise she is extremely aggressive and nearly jumps through the window. Also on passing a neighbor doing his garden she became very aggressive again hair up, up on her back legs barking this has never happened before, i reprimanded her. I dont trust her now to be off the lead, as i fear if a male or someone approaches her i couldn't be sure of her reaction. Can you tell me why this has become so much worse in the last short while. I feel she is overly anxious. she has always tried to be the boss standing over us and trying to sit on you, which we have discouraged. I wonder if it cause she is getting older?

Answer
First, NO dog should ever be "off leash." This can be a liability with any dog because canine behavior is as unpredictable as a small child's. It is also dangerous to the dog as any type of situation and/or accident can occur in a split second.

In most neighborhoods/cities, it is a law to keep your dog leash and confined. Owner's are legally responsible for their dog's behavior and harm just as you are your children until legal age.

Keep her on-leash or confined to a fenced area/yard at all times.

Secondly, she is territorial and protective of you and family. Dogs think it is their job.

Most Boxers will bark at the door and what they see through the window, and most will bark at other dogs and animals, let alone people.

If she is being so aggressive that she could break a window, I highly suggest putting furniture in front of windows to limit her ability to break a window. I have had that happen to me with one on my females. She cut her paw badly.

Her hormones are changing with age as a woman goes through menopause. You can take her to your vet and explain her behavior changing the past 6 1/2 months and possibly check her blood and do a hormone test and medications to help.

She is getting too old to modify behavior unless you keep her confined in a fenced area, leashed otherwise, and constant re-training and consistency. Block the windows for her own protection and the people outside as well.