6-7 year old Boxer aggression?

Question
I am sorry I did not mention the situation.  We do not allow him on the couches.  He was on the couch and he was told to get down, he did not do it.  My husband told him a few times and he still did not listen, he rolled up a newspaper and at that point he groweled.  I have changed dog foods.  His hip has been doing that the past couple of weeks-he has been favoring it.  Even when we get up in the morning-he usually is anxious to go out, now we have to make him go.  His behavior has been different lately.  Thanks for the helpful insight!

Answer
Your original question was:  

We have had our Boxer since a puppy.  The past month he has not been listening to me or my husband.  He actually has groweled at my husband 3 times.  I have 2 children 7 and 8, Just wanted to knkowo maybe why he has had this change in behavior?  He has not been neutered and nothing has changed in the household.  He has been wanting to eat more and I have notice his muscle in his hip twitching?  Any thoughts or ideals would be very helpful..  He has been an awesome dow just want to make sure he does not turn on anyone in the family.

My original answer was:

Boxers don't "turn" as a Pit Bull does-- that breed has been bred for centuries to fight- the Boxer was bred as a working dog and not capable of "turning."

Sure, Boxers can become overly aggressive as in any breed of dog; for various reasons.

You stated there hasn't been a change in your household, so insecurity hasn't anything to do with his more aggressive behavior.

I don't know if the "growling" episodes were in playful times; rough-housing, or simply out-of-the-blue. You didn't elaborate on the incidents for me to evaluate.

You have not mentioned how he is with the kids- but I haven't seen a Boxer aggressive with children. Boxers are even protected of newborns and safe with children. Boxers love children as their own, and are protective.

Could this have been the scenarios: your husband playing with the kids and the Boxer became aggressive during his playing with the children?

If so, this is because he felt the children were being threatened by your husband- possibly too rough a play, the kids squealing or shouting- yelling, even if in fun, it "sounds" like they are in distress to the Boxer- and it is his job to protect (he thinks).

Does his hip muscle twitch occasionally, or all the time?

His increased appetite can be from the seasons (weather) changing, as every animal (and people) eat heavier in colder weather than in hot weather. Or his dog food might not be satisfying. Have you changed the brand? Are you mixing brands according to what is available at the store at the time, or the price? Never switch. Boxers need an "all natural" dog food that does not have corn and does not have corn glutens and fillers. They are prone to be allergic, and it can even cause behavioral changes.

Hormone can cause behavioral changes- even in males.

You might have your vet check his thyroid for a thyroid disorder which can cause an abundance of problems. A simple pill a day fixes it and is cheap. If he does have thyroid problems, ask your vet to prescribe and carry Pala-Tech Chewables. I get mine Online, however they are cheap-- I pay $7 for 180 count bottle (not counting shipping charges).
(those taste good like a treat and cost a lot less than any other brand that can be as expensive as $50 a bottle!)...

I need more information about his 3 times of growling please. Each one.

As I mentioned, was your husband playing with the kids at the time? Or, just sitting quietly and watching TV by himself? I need to know the circumstance(s) in order to assess the behavior.

In the meantime, buy a loud, obnoxious whistle or a clicker from your pet store, either one, and use it when he becomes aggressive and when his displays any behavior you want to correct.

Verbally reprimand him in a stern voice, but do not sound angry, do not shout or yell, do not be excited. Calmly reprimand him in easy-to-understand commands; NO-- bad boy. Stop. (something like those)....

I look forward to hearing back from you about more detailed info.

New answer to follow-up:

The "rolling up a newspaper" to chastise him was the wrong reprimand to take. Never, ever, ever, use an object of aggression to a dog-- ever. This is a sign of threat and threatening only receives an aggressive response. For every action there is a reaction-- and this is negative.

What your husband should have done, and should do in the future, is grab his collar- or leash his collar immediately, and gently and calmly, guide (pull him gently) off the couch while verbally reprimanding him in a calm, but stern, voice using simple easy-to-understand commands. Be consistent with the verbal reprimand- and do not change it up.

Dogs associate sound, tone, with reprimand or praise, they associate by sound, sight, taste, smell, and touch/feel. Their senses--

They associate everything to be good or bad. And if anyone is being bad to the point of what the dog perceives as aggression- the dog will react in an aggressive manner to protect himself.

His hip could have problems and causing pain- which can cause behavioral changes-- just as in people, when in pain, and sick, people become "bitchy" and change.

They reluctance to outside might simple be due to his hip being painful-- too painful to walk.

Please take him to the vet and explain the things you have to me-- it tells a story-- his hip is hurting him- it could be arthritis or hip dyspepsia. But he is in pain and he has symptoms telling you that there is a problem, i.e. the muscle twitching which is his body's reaction to the pain at that location-- people's body's do that too- our muscles tightening and knot up at the location of a problem; herniated disk in the spine, etc.

Let me know what your vet discovered and diagnosed with a follow-up, please.