Boxer Talk

Hi, I have just found this website and throughly enjoyed looking at all the pictures of the boxers, I grew up with boxers and i now have my own boxer called Max!

Max is a year old and we adopted him from a family who could not look after him any more. He lived with 5 young children, but since we have had him if he is out walking on his lead and he sees children or other people he growls at them and pulls aggressively towards them!! He doesnt like other dogs and it seems that he has not been socialised.

He is very caution of new people and growls until he gets used to them being in our house, normally toys and a treat from the guest work then he is their best friend!

Any advice to help make him more friendly to others?

Hi Faye!

Welcome! Sorry you never got a reply till now.

To be honest I'm not the best person to advise you on socialising Max. I've never had too many problems with aggressive behaviour except with other dogs. Not with people.

This has been luck more than anything I've done though.

I guess the obvious thing would be get him some professional obedience training.

I think also that you need to get him about and into those situations regularly (Except in the case of children.). Keep calm with him and reward him for good behaviour.

It does seem strange that after growing up with 5 kids he would be aggressive toward them.

It's easy to shrink from situations that cause problems but as I say I think he needs to be acclimatised to meeting strangers. I'm just not sure how best to go about that.

I have heard of people that use a bottle with stones in which they rattle when bad behaviour is exhibited or perhaps with water which can be squirted on him. I'm not sure if this is really thought of as good or successful though.

I think you're great for taking on a Boxer that needed a home Faye. Max sounds like a good dog at heart so I think if you can find the right way to train him he'll be fine.

I just wish I could be more help. I'm sorry I'm not.

Let me know how it goes.

Paul

Hi Paul thanks for your reply,

It is really unusual for a boxer to be aggressive towards other people. They are usually so people orientated, I think that really he is just unsure of hisself and doesnt know what to do.

He really isnt as bad as I perhaps made him sound! I had a friend come and visit at the weekend, which is always a worry to how he will react, he adored her after getting over the initial 2 mins of growling and barking I just think he doesnt know what else to do, I got my friend to give him a treat and one of his toys and then they were best friends!!

He is very obiedient when there are no distractions, he will sit, wait, lie down and even give paw when asked to (which I taught him recently) Just out and about on his lead he is a nightmare

I am sure it will take time, but to me he is the most loving little boy!!

Well best of luck with it Faye. Perseverance and patience can get you far.

Let me know how it goes for you and Max.