Fighting Boxer Girl

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I just adopted a 3yr Old female Boxer not spayed, that was on her way to animal shelter. we have a 5yr old Chihuahua boy.  When she came home, both dogs were fine,  playing getting to know each other, eating together, drank from same bowl, even sleeping together.  At first he was trying to mount her. Today (2nd Day)  he tried to get into her bowl.  she attacked him and pinned him to the ground. 15 minutes later she attacked him again, just because he got close to her bed. I separated them he went inside the house, and she stayed in yard. A few minutes ago he came outside, she sees him and tries to attacked him, but as soon as i yelled  "No Stop"  she backed down.  we've had boxer in past, but had them since pups. never and adult dog.  Every feel in love her, but now were sad that their not getting along.  I would hate to get rid of her, but i don't want her to hurt Chihuahua.  (he is kinda grumpy, always has)

ANSWER: You stated she is 3 years old and on her way to a shelter.

Do you know her history at all?

I have to know what you know to help you.

Keep them apart until you answer me, alright?

There could be a number of things going on here- and one is she is displaying the "alpha" position between her and the Chihuahua boy.

I'll wait for your "history" on her.

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


Suzie   QUESTION: Thank You so Much for your help.  We'll I know very little. I got her from a person that got her July 23, 2009 till yesterday when i got her.  Suzie (boxer# had a brother at same home.  My understanding is that she was being fighting with her brother #same Litter).  Original Owner had her since she was born. Suzie's mom was put to sleep when suzie was adopted in July.  The person that i got her from said that suzie's brother was aggressive and that suzie was very mellow.  Suzie is a sweet heart other than she fights.  She follows me and my kids kids around. plays really good not rough.  We are in Love..

Answer
Okay-- she was raised with her brother- and recently the mother was put to sleep...

My I ask why she was? I mean, I haven't ever heard of anyone putting a Boxer down unless terminally ill and in pain...

Okay, it sounds to me like she was in competition with her brother- probably for the "alpha" position- and female Boxers are more aggressive than the male...

Also, she has bounced around to too many homes in too short a time.

This causes extreme insecurities and behavior is typical- loving but aggressive.

She is fighting for the position in the home and family. She is insecure she will loose it.

She was too old to be sent from one home she grew up in, to another, and a in a few months, another -your home.

Imagine how any person would feel, let alone a dog that doesn't comprehend. It's anxieties and insecurities.

She is trying to be dominate so she can "stay" in the pack.

(her picture is gorgeous; she is a flashy fawn)

She fought with her brother- typical for siblings in their family pack- for the alpha position of dominance. This is survival and normal with domesticated dogs and dogs and wolves in the wild.

She doesn't know anything else, and probably is more aggressive due to the moves and insecurities now.

Buy a loud, obnoxious sounding whistle.

Each and every time she gets aggressive and exhibits bad and unacceptable behavior; blow it loud, then leash her immediately while verbally reprimanding her of her bad behavior. DO NOT yell, or use harshness, but be calm, and stern only. You don't want to scare her, and you don't want to enforce her insecurities.

If you have a crate/cage/pen her size, place her in it for a "time out" for only 5-6 minutes.

Then, allow her to come out and love her, and see how she reacts in the family once again.

Be consistent and be firm, but gentle and calm.

Don't let the other dog(s) provoke her or tease her into aggression- and always treat her, love her, PRAISE her, talk to her, and spend time with her. Then try to supervise playing with other dog(s) and be prepared to reprimand upon unacceptable behavior.

It would be best to reprimand BOTH dogs.

They will learn by association of the bad behavior and your repetition of whistle and verbal commands and reprimands.

Let me know in 2 weeks how it's going and good luck with her.