Boxer behavior 1 yr old

Question
QUESTION: My girlfriend has a male 1 yr old Boxer. She and her husband live in another town and spend a lot of weekends with our family, of course they always bring the dog. I don't mind the dog so much but his behavior has me concerned. She insists that because he is a Boxer that until he is 2 that he is going to be a little aggresive and there's nothing that can be done.  She's had several people mention to her that she needs to do something with him but she just gets upset. When I say he is aggresive it's not always bad. He jumps on the kids and wants to nipp at your feet as you are trying to walk. When you try and pet him he crawls all over you. He gets to barking and at times I can't tell if he's going to bite or not. He hasn't so far, but his bark can be intimidating. I'm a little worried that he might bite one of my kids. They like the dog but are a little afraid of him. What I need to know is if it will get better as he gets older or does she not know what she's talking about. I really don't want to ask her to not bring the dog, as you can imagine the stain that would put on the friendship. I'm not much of a dog person so I'm not sure what to think. I need to pick my battles. Any insight you might have about the the dogs behavior would help so I know how to approach the problem.

ANSWER: Hi Lori,

Your girlfriend isn't being a proper dog owner nor a proper friend.  As a guest in your home, she should be mindful of her dog's behavior.

Without meeting the dog I cannot tell you if he is displaying aggression or just poor manners.  My guess would be poor manners caused by his owners' refusal to train him properly.

I don't know where she has gotten the information that he will be 'aggressive' until he's 2 and then magically grow out of it.  This isn't the case with her dog or ANY dog.  She is being a lazy, irresponsible owner and it's because of owner's like her that certain breeds get a bad rep...mainly the bully breeds and larger guarding breeds.

Taking on a Boxer is no small task.  They don't typically mature until around age 3.  This means, not that they'll grow out of any bad behaviors, but that they need to be taught proper behavior from very early on...day one in fact.

Nipping is normal.  For a puppy.  Had he been trained properly he'd be out of this stage by now.  By still displaying this behavior it means that your friends have done nothing to inhibit his bite which is only asking for trouble down the road.  The same can be said about the jumping.

You need to have a good think about what's more important.  A strain on your friendship or the safety of your children and others in your home.  It doesn't sound to me as though your friend is as interested in raising a dog as she is in having a dog.  Two completely different things.  If she continues on the route she has chosen, she will see the dog harm someone (most likely by accident due to his rowdiness and size).  

It boils down to this:

Nipping should not be permitted.
Jumping should not be permitted.
Over-excitement should not be permitted.

Too many people take on a pet with no idea how to care for it.  By that, I mean that there is much more to raising a dog properly than putting down food and water.  Mental stimulation, obedience and behavioral training are all just as vital.  

You have every right to be worried about your children.  The question is, what are you going to do about it?  

I have several dogs.  Most have come to me with behavioral issues that we work on continuously.  I know which dog I can take with me to which function.  I know who will behave properly around children and who won't.  That is part of being a responsible owner.

As a 'friend', she should respect your feelings (and those of others who've made mention of this behavior to her) and either start training her dog properly or leave him at home.  Neither should cause a strain on your relationship.  If she's really a friend.

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

QUESTION: How should I handle his behavior when he gets over excited such as jumping on me or nipping at my feet and the barking? I don't want to make the problem worse. Where can I go to help her find some good training techniques to learn?

Answer
He should receive NO attention unless he is displaying the behavior you want.  Any attention is positive reinforcement.  Dogs have a one second window for praise or correction.  If he's jumping like a lunatic, you pet him, you reinforce it.

Cross your arms and turn your back if he's jumping.  Don't touch him, don't speak to him.  Stare at the ceiling.

If he's nipping at your feet as you walk, stop walking.  If he continues, squeal.  As soon as he's distracted, tell him 'no bite'.

Don't yell at him if he's barking, you're only barking back.  Clap your hands, when he's distracted, tell him 'quiet'.  If he remains quiet...praise.

The key is consistency.  Make up your mind the behaviors you don't approve of.  These need to be corrected EACH time.  It's going to be harder for you because he most likely will not be getting corrected at home.

What you will begin to see, however, is him listening to you and not his owners.  Dogs thrive on consistency and guidance.  Maybe that will bring your friend around as well.  ;)

Amazon has several good books.  You can google for trainers in her area as well.