Boxer aggressive behaviot

Question
QUESTION: I previously asked a question about out almost 3 year old boxer and recent aggressive behavior.  You gave me an excellent answer and asked me to let you know how his training was going as well as let you know the results of his heart testing.  Today he was seen by a canine cardiologist and given many tests.  He had previously had tests before possible neutering and his EkG showed some problems. Today he received a much longer EKG and the determination was that there was not a problem.  He is extremely nervous-the vet said the most nervous boxer she has seen yet-and that would account for the results of the test.  His echo showed a perfect heart, no problems in any way.  Valve, size, blood flow, etc were all excellent.  He is now cleared for surgery but we are going to wait until we return to NY to the vet he is most familiar with before making a decision on neutering.  We have been using your suggestions, we keep a collar on him at all times and use a whistle when he attempts to bully our other dog.  We have only used it twice.  My husband then put him on the floor on his side until he was calm.  I have taken over his walking trips as he seems to be more inclined to show aggression toward me than my husband.  I leash him, make sure I got out and come in the door first.  I keep him close to my side and if he pulls at all make him sit, then go on.  He is usually very good on a leash.  When we come inside I make him sit for a minute, then remove his leash, then make him sit another minute until I say ok.  He is good about that.  However when we got home from the vet today our other dog wanted to smell him all over to see where he had been and he suddenly flew at her and "rammed" her, growling as well.  Tom grabbed his harness and put him down on his side and kept him there until he was calm.  One of the things we have done wrong with him I think is we have played a lot with him.  In the past we always had at least two boxers and they played constantly with each other, never in a mean way but barking and leaping, etc.I think we have let him think we are also his playmates without setting our leadership role.  Thank you again for your help.  Foley was very well behaved at the vet and in response to other dogs there as well. Out of his territory he is very agreeable.  Judith

ANSWER: Hi Judith,

Are you the lady that told me you travel a lot to one home to another? If not, excuse the bad memory....

You said he is a "nervous" Boxer.

Something is causing insecurity. Dogs don't become nervous unless there is an underlining problem. It is either due to changes, disruptions, lack of scheduling, lack of routine, new people, changing work schedules, moving, traveling a lot, new additions to the family, etc. (I could go on and on.......).

I think once you determine the root of his nervousness, you will discover a cure for any bad and/or aggressive behavior.

Generally, Boxers are the most gentle and loving creatures of the dog species, and not generally nervous, but more happy-go-lucky and willing to please.

Maybe it is an underlying jealousy with the other dog, or feeling in competition with her.

I am happy to hear that his heart is sound, and all is well. That has to be a big relief for you. I am glad he is okay, for sure.

The "playing" is fine- they need interaction with you and it keeps them happy- but remember, playing is associated with what mama taught him, and what he views your (and your husband's) rank is within the "pack" (the family and other dogs in the family all together).

If he thinks either of you are not the "alpha" and that he is, he will be the aggressor. It is his instinct and the natural order of the dog world.

Once you establish and maintain that you and your husband are the alpha, and keep him submissive to you both, he will learn he is not an alpha.

Try these tips to establish the alpha position and "de-rank" him:

When feeding:

(try this for a few weeks) Get his dog food bowl and set it high on the kitchen table. Place some cookies or crackers behind the bowl on the table. Have him sit before you watching you, waiting for his food. Pour some dry dog food in his bowl. Stand there not looking at him. Take a cookie or cracker from behind the bowl, and stand and eat one. Do not look at him. Then, when finished, place his dog food bowl down on the floor and tell him to eat.

In the dog world, the alpha always eats first, and the rest of the pack gets what is left after alpha is finished.

This trick establishes you as the alpha eating first while he, the submissive, waits his turn and for permission to eat when alpha tells him he can.

This is a good behavior modifying trick when "de-alphatizing" a dog.

After you feel that all the tricks we've discussed have worked, and he is being more submissive, go back to normal with your scheduled feedings.

Good luck!

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

QUESTION: In regard to Foley's nervousness.  We have had him since he was 8 weeks old. We would take him outside for short walks in our own very quiet yard and if he heard any noise, a foghorn on the ocean, a car on a neighboring street, an airplane overhead, another dog barking in the distance- he would struggle to get back in the house. A chair in an unexpected place in the house, a dish dropping,  would send him running to our side and hiding.  We have had 10 boxers previous to him, we are raising him the same way, and you are right, they were all very happy, loving companions, faithful, loyal and playful until the day they died.  We believe in his first 8 weeks Foley suffered some trauma that impressed him very much for it certainly is not a trait of his breed.  We have tried very hard to reassure him.  When he is afraid of something we speak calmly to him, as he calms down we will approach whatever is scaring him and stay with him until he sniffs and gets used to whatever it is. He was terrified of the car and would vomit almost as soon as we started out. He has overcome that with a lot of short rides and positive experiences. It saddens us that he is this way, we want to help him as much as possible. Any suggestions you have would be welcome.

Answer
Hi again,

8 weeks old is a young age and since you know his history, there was no abuse or problems to cause his nervousness and fear.

This is highly unusual for a Boxer as you know.

Fear is insecurity. Why he is insecure baffles me. You sound as though you have give him an excellent life and know the breed well.

Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisper, treats fears and phobias with a tread mill.

Putting him on a treadmill refocuses his brain to the walking at hand, and releases anxieties and energies.

If you can afford one, I suggest buying a treadmill. You might check in to buying a simple, used one. Look Online and craigslist in your local area, and call thrift stores too. Maybe call used equipment shops and rental shops to see if they have one they are about to "retire."

A treadmill will help Foley release pent up energy, focus his mind on calmness and walking, and help him forget about outside elemental fears.

You can also use exposure therapy while he is on the treadmill. A video of sounds and noises, you moving and scooting a kitchen chair or slamming a cabinet door, popping balloons, videos of dogs barking and playing, car sounds, a horn, etc.

The exposure therapy in conjunction with the treadmill simultaneously will help him to become accustomed to sounds and objects and eventually not fear outside elements.

Sometimes, as in people, there are dogs born with instilled nervousness for no apparent reason. It's an uptight personality. I do not recommend tranquilizers or any drugs, but the exposure therapy and treadmill only.

Try that and let me know :)