Boxer Socialization

Question
QUESTION: Hi, We have a 2.5 year old fixed female boxer.  We live onsite 24/7 in our accommodation business.  Shelby doesn't bark, is friendly with guests (slightly hesitant with males).  She is very dominant, we are constantly checking her for this.  She is maturing all the time and has a good relationship with our 13 %26 15 year old sons.  She learns new commands easily except come and heel (she pulls badly when walking).  I am concerned that while we are here with her all the time she is lonely for other dog company.  We have been looking at getting another dog, possibly a boxer.  We kennel her a couple of times a year when we travel and have spoken with the people who look after her in regards to this.  They mentioned she was no longer able to be run with a group of other dogs and they tended to only run her with one large male, apparently she used to be very social but is now really hard work and they can not take the risk with other peoples dogs.  They said she hasn't been aggressive but they see the potential. To be honest I believe we have let her down by not continuing her socialization as a teenager.  As a puppy she was always very dominant but controllable once we learnt the techniques for thinking like a pack.  We take her to the park and find she easily frightens other dogs (unless they are twice her size).  A gentle sniff from her always erupts in to uncontrollable play.  SO are we doing the right thing in thinking a male fixed boxer 18 months or older could become her friend or are we just doubling our problem. Should we just be satisfied with our quiet and basically well mannered girl, keep working on recall and her jumping when she greets visitors to our home. Or is bringing another dog to the family going to give her something we can't.  Kind regards Jodi

ANSWER: There are so many dynamics here- and it's hard to start and get the various factors straight.

She is 2 1/2 years old- you've had her since a puppy- no more pets in the family- and teenage kids.

She is good with the family, and okay with visitors-

Jumping up on visitors is bad behavior that needed to be modified in its early beginning-

Buy a clicker or obnoxious sounding whistle and click or blow when the jumping up on people begins-- verbally reprimand her and if needed, leash her and walk her away from the visitor and do this each time until she associated the clicker or whistle, leash, and verbal reprimand with the behavior.

It should only take a few weeks of visitors to accomplish the modification.

Size is not a factor with dogs. Dogs do not see size- they cannot determine the size of another dog. A tiny Chihuahua will attack a large Great Dane and visa-versa.

They simple cannot determine the size difference- so her socialization with the male at the kennel isn't size- it's a bond they formed and that's all.

I suggest before getting another Boxer and having problems with her- is to take her to dog parks.

Buy a harness and good leash (helps you keep physical control of her) and take her to a dog park (do not unless her) and feel her out with other dogs.

She might be timid or aggressive at first- a few times even, but eventually she will become accustomed to other dogs around and the dog routine of sniffing and being aggressive, or being timid and shyer, and being friendly- all the variations of the dog pack, i.e. alpha and omegas....

Once she has become accustomed to being around other dogs, and you feel confident, unleash her in the enclosed dog park to check on her behavior with other dogs when she is free,

If this is all fine, ask the kennel to do the same if they will. Just to reinforce.

If possible, have a friend, relative, or neighbor bring their dog over for supervised visits. Allow her to become friends with dogs in her home: her territory,

Once she has passed all the tests- you are ready to get another Boxer, and I would recommend a grown Boxer that is proven to be socialized and well-mannered.

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

QUESTION: Hi Jannie, Thank you for your answer.  I know my question was somewhat confusing.  Shelby is eager to please and quick to learn so I'm sure we will have the jumping sorted in no time, basically we had been inconsistent.  We have located a mature female boxer (well mannered) that is going to come and visit regularly once we are at that phase.  Seeing your answer reinforced what I already knew just hadn't put into practice.  I was surprised to learn dogs don't see "size".  Maybe she is put with larger dogs just so she doesn't accidently hurt smaller ones.  I will work with her with smaller dogs as well - closely supervised.   Thank you for your time.  Kind regards Jodi

Answer
I'm sure that's why she is put with a larger male- because of the size factor when playing and all- plus, she must have bonded with him too.

Consistency is always the solution; be consistent and she will associate more easily as to not be confused why she can sometimes and can't other times....

Dogs like routine and consistency- it makes them feel more secure and they want to know their boundaries- as in a pack, there is the alpha dog, and the omega dog, and all in between so they know their rank and privileges (or lack of) and you are the alpha.

As long as you maintain the "alpha" position, you are in control. She will respond favorably to your alpha command. She will know her place-- but, she might challenge for the alpha position from time to time- so maintain your ground.

Good luck and I think she will be fine.