Expert: Renee Cox - 12/24/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have an eight month boxer who I bought to be a companion to my disabled son who is twelve. For the past few months I have noticed that my dog, Billy will aggressively attack my son if he tries to take anything off him, or if he gets on the floor with the dog.Normally if I am out of the room he does it, but last week he did it while I was in the room.He really attacked my son and bit the back of his neck because my son got on the floor with him. My son was very afraid.  I have decided to rehouse my dog, whom is wonderful, loves to play, waits for my son to come home from school and loves him and plays with him. However I am afraid he will hurt him.  I have a 10yr old daughter who my dog doesn't do this too, though he has once or twice. My son is mentally delayed and doesn't have speech, and doesn't understand that he shouldn't get on the floor with the dog so I will always have this problem.Why does this dog do this. Is it my fault. Can he be rehomed with children? He doesn't get on chairs and doesn't go upstairs at all. Ihave tried do do everything to the book and bought him from a good breeder. I have also had him castrated.Please advise me on what to do.

ANSWER: Hi Jackie. First of all, I'm sorry you and your family are going through this. Boxers are normally very good with children. Secondly, your first concern has to be with your children. No dog should ever, ever be kept with children if they are aggressive with them. If you decide to try to keep this dog, then you really have to figure out what's going on with him. The first step would be to find a trainer. He will be able to actually see what your dog is doing, and what's causing him to act this way. If you decide to rehome him, then you need to have him evaluated anyway, so that way you'll know if he can go into a home with kids or not. Can you tell me what's going on when the dog does this? Aggressive behavior should never be tolerated. Period. I seriously suggest finding a trainer. I don't think that it's anything you intentionally did. Sometimes as dog owners, we're not sure what we're suppose to do. And every breed is different in what is needed for them. And what ever you do, until you figure out what you'll do with this dog, don't leave him and your son alone together. Your son may not be able to defend himself should the dog attack. (I'm sure you already know this. :-) I'm just stressing it.) My personal feelings towards this, is that no dog is worth a child or innocent person getting hurt for. I honestly don't know what sets your dog off. Maybe if you give me more information of what's going on before he does this, I may be able to help better. Honestly though, a Boxer should not be acting this way. The true Boxer temperament: he is great with kids. He is gentle with those that are young, elderly, and disabled. I would also contact the breeder to this dog, especially if he needs to be rehomed. I don't think I would rehome him with kids. It sounds to me like your dog doesn't know you're boss. You and your kids should be first, and he should be last on the dominance ladder. And one more question...what exactly does the dog do? Does he actually growl and show teeth, stare at them? Give me some more information, and I'll be happy to help if I can.

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

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your advice. What happens is that the dog has a toy, slipper etc and is playing with it and my son goes to take it off him.He starts playing with my son, gives him the toy and then all of a sudden he attacks my son.  He does not growl, he just goes in a vicious sort of mode, like two dogs fighting on the street. My son has been able to move his hand away normally without my dog actually biting him but the other day I was in the kitchen and I heard the dog viciously attack my son and when I ran in my son was shaken, he said the dog had bitten him on the back of the neck, luckily no skin was broken.It was over a dog toy on the floor.I sometimes see the dog looking at my son if he gets of the chair and walks toward something,such as a slipper, toy or something the dog has been playing with, i make sure that my son doesn't pick it if I am there. Other times the dog plays lovely and is loving and sweet and fetches his ball. He does steal everything though.My sons heartbeat was pounding after the last attack, he was really shaken and so was I. Thank you so much for your advice and help.    Jackie

Answer
He definitely has an aggression. I wish there was something that I could tell you to do without having to envolve a trainer, or costing you money, but that really is the only solution for you, if you want to keep the dog. You need someone to watch what's going on, and help you to stop it. This is dangerous behavior, and can only get worse. A Boxer is a big dog. You want to stop this now, before he's fully grown. You or your children should be able to walk up and take the toy from his mouth without so much as a funny look from him. This behavior can not be tolerated, and he needs to be taught that you guys are boss, not him. You decide when he plays with his toys, and what he plays with. He should never growl, stare down, or make any kind of aggressive behavior towards anyone in your household. A good trainer is your only solution if you decide to keep him. If you don't do something about this now, it'll get worse. A full grown male Boxer is solid muscle, sometimes weighing as much as 85+ pounds. If worse comes to worse, you may have to rehome him. Do what ever is safest for your son. I'd hate for him to become scared of dogs because of this one. Honestly, a Boxer shouldn't be acting like this. You have to teach these dogs that you're boss from days one. I'm not talking about physical violence towards them, but there are things that you can do to make sure that you are alpha. Make him sit before you feed him, or give him a toy. Make him sit before you let him out to potty. Don't ever step over him if he's lying on the floor. Make him move. If he starts to act up with the toys, take them all up. There are many things that you can do here, but I'd really feel much better if you got someone that can actually see what's happening to help you. I really hope that this works out for you guys. Don't be afraid to rehome him if it comes to that. The safety of your boy is much more important. I'd definitely call his breeder. Let her know what's going on. She may be able to help you better. Or, she may be able to help you rehome him if it comes to that. I wish you good luck!