Boxers heats and agression

Question
QUESTION: I have two questions.  One, my three year old boxer hasn't had a heat in over a year.  She had a litter in Dec of '06" and another in Nov '07'.  She hasn't come back in since then.  She has only been bred to one male and is in the pen with him.  She is next to cockers that come into heat on a regular basis.  Are these long cycles between heats normal for boxers.
Second, my 3 year old male is very agressive toward other dogs and people if I take him anywhere.  I tried obedience classes with him last year, but I had to quite because of his agression, I was afraid he'd break the cholk collar with pinches and hurt another dog.  That collar or a shock collar is the only way to control him.  Is there anything I can do, I would like to take him out, but I can't trust him.  If he gets off the leach he won't come back to me, so I can't even take himto our pond because he'll go after the horses and other dogs.

ANSWER: I'd like to ask about your "pen" situation. These Boxers are kept outside in a pen?

Did you know that the Boxer breed can not withstand environmental conditions? They can't tolerate heat because they are short muzzled, and they have short hair and can't keep warm. Boxers are totally inside dogs. Not outside.

Your 3 year old female should have a heat twice a year-- one every 5-6 months lasting 28-30 days.

If she doesn't, there is something wrong. It could be as simple as a thyroid imbalance and needing thyroid medicines and that will trigger her normal heats. Take her to a vet and have her blood drawn and tested, for thyroid.

As far as your 3 year old male, he will be aggressive if living inside a pen.

He is not "socialized" and is isolated from people, family, and company (strangers) and will run off if off a leash because he is penned up.

They don't belong inside a pen of any kind-- ever. Except maybe if you need to go somewhere.

You might not be able to fix this after 3 years of living inside a pen with the female.

His behavior and lifestyle is already established after all these years.

You really can't expect him or any dog to behave and not get aggressive or exited when taken out of a pen to walk.

It can not be corrected other than allowing him to live inside with the family and become socialized and happy. Once he realizes he is part of the whole family, and is exposed to company, then he will settle and not be so aggressive. He is aggressive because he is being raised "wild."

If you can not allow him and the female Boxer to live inside among the family and take part in the family socialization--- I highly recommend you give both of them to families that will treat, raise, and love them as any Boxer deserves.


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

QUESTION: When I said pen I really should have said my back yard.  It is very large.  They also get to come inside on a regular basis.  They are not outside during extreme temps.  My back yard is seperated into two sections.  One side has my cockers and the other has the boxers. My male isn't a problem at home with my dogs, it's just with everyone else's dog.  I used to take him with me everywhere, but as he got older the aggression started happening and I had to stop taking him places with me.  When he's in the house he is calm and behaves well, it's just when we go places or a strange dog comes around.  Thanks for the help with my female.  I'll take her to the vet to get checked.

Answer
The only way to socialize him with strange dogs and people, is to get friends and family to volunteer the help...

Have them come over with one of their dogs, and keep your male Boxer on a leash expecting their visit.

When they come in, allow him in on his leash, and hold onto it, allowing his aggression to begin.

Once it does, yank his leash and verbally reprimand him in a stern, disciplinary voice, using simple commands.

Once he settles down, reward him with praise and attention and tell him he is a good boy in an upbeat, satisfying tone. Praise.

Each and every time he is misbehaving and aggressive, do this. Always.
Be consistent.

If this is done 2 days a week, every week for 4 weeks, he should begin accepting company and other dogs.

Then walk him in your backyard on a leash, practicing commands and healing and stopping and obeying. Once this is habit, you will not have any problems walking him on a leash. Never allow a dog off a leash loose.