Introducing a new Boxer to our other 2

Question
Hi, we have a 9 year old Boxer named Thunder and a 3 year old named Marley. We found another Boxer named Chaos who is 4, well she is skin and bones and not spayed. We are waiting for her to be out of heat to get her spayed, however when we introduced them Chaos (the new one) snarled and growled at my other 2, who were just sniffing her. I am wondering how we should go about introducing them safely after we get her spayed. Thank you!!

Answer
Hi Nicole,

Wait until she is out of heat to introduce them and you have spayed her, also wait until she is healed from the surgery as you don't want to take the chance of her ripping a stitch or getting injured. If she were to get injured when introduced to them she may never accept them or they might not accept her.Boxers do tend to hold grudges so to speak. If you don't own a kennel or training crate get one and allow the new girl a place of safety and a place to recover from the surgery. It is normal for her to be fearful and unsure of the new environment which will cause her to growl or snarl at your boxers especially if they both get into her space at the same time as you described. This is her way of saying "hey, I'm unsure of you and back out of my space". It is important when introducing the boxers that no children should be present and everyone must remain in a calm mood. The dogs will pick up on any anxiety,excitement or energy the humans have and this can lead to fights. The meeting should be supervised with two capable adults who can intervene if necessary. Introduce the dogs one at a time or crate Thunder and Marley and allow the new girl to go to each one's crate and introduce them that way.Don't let them all out together for a period of several weeks, only one on one interaction daily through the training crate the first week. During the second week you may let them out two at a time with supervision and loose leashes. The third week you may try to let them all out together with loose leashes on each one, remain calm and do not anticipate any fights as they will pick up on it, go about doing things in the house as usual but you should step in and take control if needed.Also do not show the new girl more attention than your other boxers as this can cause fights. Do not allow the dogs to eat without being in their crates, feed your boxers first and the new girl last.This girl is most likely going to be food aggressive from doing without so long and this will eliminate any competition for food and keep a happy balance between them. You will need to allow the new girl to make her way into the new pack gradually and allow them to work out the ranking order. Most often it is two boxers of the same sex and not spayed or neutered that fight. I commend you on taking this boxer female in ! Good luck and thank you for your question. Please feel free to contact me for any other questions you might have.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com