DaneLover233 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi guys, I'm hoping someone will be able to help. I have an almost 4 year old desexed male boxer who lives with 4 other smaller dogs. We got him desexed late, when he was about 2. About a year ago we had our first incident. Usually when he'd see other boxers he would play and "box" with them but on this occasion he decided he wanted to try and bite it's face off. This other boxer was not showing any kind of dominance or aggression and I can't think of any other elements that caused him to do this. From then on he has hated other boxers and for some reasons staffys. We try to socialise him and get him to meet other dogs but he is progressively getting worse. He's fine once he's met the dog for eg: he met my friends great dane for the first time on the weekend and at first they sniffed then he tried to bite her (he was currently wearing a halti but usually it's just a check chain unless we're going to super dog populated areas as the halti gives me better control) but then after walking a few metres he wanted to run and play with her??? Any suggestions on how I can help him get back to being the confident, happy boy he once was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi, Was he socialised as a puppy? I'd be getting a muzzle for him until you sort out what's going on though, so you can safely walk him....has he actually bitten another dog, or is it more play fighting? Either way, a good behaviourist will be able to observe what's going on with him, and set you on the right track. We have a number of recommended ones on this forum, if you would like to give a rough location. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I agree a Behaviourist will be essential to deal with this aggression. In the meantime have a look at this article which talks about neutralisation instead of socialisation. http://k9pro.com.au/services/socialisation-what-is-it-exactly/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneLover233 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi, Was he socialised as a puppy? I'd be getting a muzzle for him until you sort out what's going on though, so you can safely walk him....has he actually bitten another dog, or is it more play fighting? Either way, a good behaviourist will be able to observe what's going on with him, and set you on the right track. We have a number of recommended ones on this forum, if you would like to give a rough location. :) He was fairly socialised, but in my opinion could have been MORE socialised. We have 4 other dogs which are very well trained/behaved as I love working with them but the boxer was my hubbies first dog so I left it up to him to train....lesson learned!! I am on the Gold Coast, any recommendations would be welcomed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneLover233 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi, Was he socialised as a puppy? I'd be getting a muzzle for him until you sort out what's going on though, so you can safely walk him....has he actually bitten another dog, or is it more play fighting? Either way, a good behaviourist will be able to observe what's going on with him, and set you on the right track. We have a number of recommended ones on this forum, if you would like to give a rough location. :) Oh and no he hasn't bitten any dogs. I was going to get a muzzle that's designed for short nosed breeds but he pulled it straight off, I tried a couple to no avail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneLover233 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 I agree a Behaviourist will be essential to deal with this aggression. In the meantime have a look at this article which talks about neutralisation instead of socialisation. http://k9pro.com.au/services/socialisation-what-is-it-exactly/ Thank you, i'll take a look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Are you able to avoid putting the dog in a situation where it may feel the need to show aggression until you are able to find a good behaviourist and have the initial consult? Each time you put the dog in a situation where it feels the need to ramp up and become aggressive is a step back in fixing the problem. Ring a few Behaviourists and talk with them. Find one you can relate to but importantly one who can provide tangible proof of being able to successfully provide tuition to you to fix this. It isn't a one person/ trick fixes all and in the meantime you need to manage the dog and try not to make the reaction worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneLover233 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Are you able to avoid putting the dog in a situation where it may feel the need to show aggression until you are able to find a good behaviourist and have the initial consult? Each time you put the dog in a situation where it feels the need to ramp up and become aggressive is a step back in fixing the problem. Ring a few Behaviourists and talk with them. Find one you can relate to but importantly one who can provide tangible proof of being able to successfully provide tuition to you to fix this. It isn't a one person/ trick fixes all and in the meantime you need to manage the dog and try not to make the reaction worse. I generally try to keep him away from other dogs (ie: avoiding dog parks) but I walk him every day and try to let him briefly meet other dogs. In these instances he is ok, it's a prologed sniff that leads to the lashing out. As mentioned, if I am taking him somewhere like the dog beach, I have his halti on so I have control over his head so the second he growls I can re-direct him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Are you able to avoid putting the dog in a situation where it may feel the need to show aggression until you are able to find a good behaviourist and have the initial consult? Each time you put the dog in a situation where it feels the need to ramp up and become aggressive is a step back in fixing the problem. Ring a few Behaviourists and talk with them. Find one you can relate to but importantly one who can provide tangible proof of being able to successfully provide tuition to you to fix this. It isn't a one person/ trick fixes all and in the meantime you need to manage the dog and try not to make the reaction worse. I generally try to keep him away from other dogs (ie: avoiding dog parks) but I walk him every day and try to let him briefly meet other dogs. In these instances he is ok, it's a prologed sniff that leads to the lashing out. As mentioned, if I am taking him somewhere like the dog beach, I have his halti on so I have control over his head so the second he growls I can re-direct him. I'll second Ams advice. I would walk him every day, but stick to quieter times/routes. It is neither necessary nor beneficial to "try to let him briefly meet other dogs" at this point. It may be doing more harm than good. If a "prolonged sniff leads to lashing out" and he growls at other dogs at the beach, he is showing clear signs of being uncomfortable in those situations. I think a behaviourist ASAP is your best option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi, Was he socialised as a puppy? I'd be getting a muzzle for him until you sort out what's going on though, so you can safely walk him....has he actually bitten another dog, or is it more play fighting? Either way, a good behaviourist will be able to observe what's going on with him, and set you on the right track. We have a number of recommended ones on this forum, if you would like to give a rough location. :) He was fairly socialised, but in my opinion could have been MORE socialised. We have 4 other dogs which are very well trained/behaved as I love working with them but the boxer was my hubbies first dog so I left it up to him to train....lesson learned!! I am on the Gold Coast, any recommendations would be welcomed Ah yep, the hubby, say no more LOL Jane Harper is in Qld, have a look HERE she has a very good reputation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneLover233 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Are you able to avoid putting the dog in a situation where it may feel the need to show aggression until you are able to find a good behaviourist and have the initial consult? Each time you put the dog in a situation where it feels the need to ramp up and become aggressive is a step back in fixing the problem. Ring a few Behaviourists and talk with them. Find one you can relate to but importantly one who can provide tangible proof of being able to successfully provide tuition to you to fix this. It isn't a one person/ trick fixes all and in the meantime you need to manage the dog and try not to make the reaction worse. I generally try to keep him away from other dogs (ie: avoiding dog parks) but I walk him every day and try to let him briefly meet other dogs. In these instances he is ok, it's a prologed sniff that leads to the lashing out. As mentioned, if I am taking him somewhere like the dog beach, I have his halti on so I have control over his head so the second he growls I can re-direct him. I'll second Ams advice. I would walk him every day, but stick to quieter times/routes. It is neither necessary nor beneficial to "try to let him briefly meet other dogs" at this point. It may be doing more harm than good. If a "prolonged sniff leads to lashing out" and he growls at other dogs at the beach, he is showing clear signs of being uncomfortable in those situations. I think a behaviourist ASAP is your best option. Ok, thank you :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneLover233 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi, Was he socialised as a puppy? I'd be getting a muzzle for him until you sort out what's going on though, so you can safely walk him....has he actually bitten another dog, or is it more play fighting? Either way, a good behaviourist will be able to observe what's going on with him, and set you on the right track. We have a number of recommended ones on this forum, if you would like to give a rough location. :) He was fairly socialised, but in my opinion could have been MORE socialised. We have 4 other dogs which are very well trained/behaved as I love working with them but the boxer was my hubbies first dog so I left it up to him to train....lesson learned!! I am on the Gold Coast, any recommendations would be welcomed Jane Harper is in Qld, have a look HERE she has a very good reputation. Haha I'm glad someone understands! Thanks, I'll check her out too Ah yep, the hubby, say no more LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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