Boxers Behaviour

Question
We have a 2 year old Male Boxer. He is like a Teddy Bear in the house with his immediate family, always sitting on top of us and leaning / sleeping on all of us. However, he is not exactly social or friendly with visitors. We keep him in a kennel when someone else is around, and he has "lunged" and tried to nip anyone who confronts him. If we restrain him or hold his collar with someone else present, he sees this as a reason to defend. We are not sure how to control his aggression and behavior in these situations. It is as if he thinks he has to protect us from everyone. Thanks.

Answer
Hello Beverly,

By keeping him in a kennel while you have visitors, is only making and creating a worse situation. You are reinforcing the defending aggression by doing this and you aren't modifying his behavior to accept visitors: the opposite effect of what you want.

So, we need to modify his behavior by modifying his thinking and association to visitors and the knocking or doorbell.

Have your leash ready. I am assuming he wears a collar-- if not, have them both ready, and buy a loud, onoxious sounding whistle and have it ready to go.

When company comes to visit, automatically leash him before opening the door.

Hold the leash tightly (tight means you are assertive of your alpha position and in charge- loose means relaxed and all is well), and if he becomes aggressive (and he will) to your visitors, blow the whistle 2-3 times (be consistent on the amount of times you blow it every time, and verbally reprimand him in a calm, stern, but assertive voice. No yelling, no shouting, no excitement- remain calm and assertive. You are in charge- you are the alpha. He is suppose follow your lead and will once you have established that you are alpha of the "pack" (the pack is the entire family).

Continue to hold his leash tightly while visiting with company, until he calms down and relaxes- and preferably lays down by you (while he is still on his leash with you, and you are holding it tightly; no slack in the leash).... then, once he does calm down, relaxes, and accepts the visitor and conversation, hopefully laying down or sitting by you like a good boy, relax your hold on his leash somewhat- giving him permission to relax and signaling to him that it is okay, all is well, and all is calm.

Simple ways we hold the leash tells the dog what we are wanting and feeling.

Continue this each and every time you have company-- do not fail. Explain to your company that you are modifying his aggressive and non-social behavior so they will understand what is taking place because you want him socialable.

Within a few weeks (I would ask a friend or relative to visit every day and do this routine if possible) he will automatically associate the visitors with you and his leash, the sound of the whistle, and the verbal reprimand, and your calming him and then he calms, and all is okay- nothing to be upset about. Just friends with friends and no need to be on guard.

Try it and get back with me in a few weeks with a follow-up, and let me know how it's worked for you.

Good luck with your socializing.