hi my 4 month old boxer is generally a good dog, very bouncy and silly but listens most of the time i can let her off the lead in the park and trust her...........except when the kids are running or someone cycles past, eg today we went to feed the ducks in the park and my eldest (7) started to run down the hill, nothing to do with the dog who was sniffing something  she just charged at him and knocked him for six.....if it had been an accident it wouldnt be so bad but she does it on porpose.....she does have respect for the kids and will follow thier commands for sit stay etc.....but as soon as they walk faster than a stroll she either charges and knocks them over or charges and goes for thier shoes to pull them over. i know its not a game they started thats got out of hand because they are never left alone with the dog. why is she doing this and how can i stop her without keeping her on a chain all the time as apart from this shes a lovely dog but the children are beginning to be scared of her.
emma

She's playing with them! Puppies chase children when they run - it's in their nature. Young animals (including children) play like that.  If they don't run, she won't chase. It's no harder for them to be calm and adult than it is for her ...

I agree, she's just playing with them and doesn't know her own strength!!  When she's off her lead get the kids to walk to keep her calm - if they are allowed to run about and play she'll want to join in too!!

It's play... AND it's practice for "the hunt." So, that should be discouraged, but gradually and nicely. In time as she grows, she can learn to not jump, nip and get too wild. The children can learn not to run and resemble prey... or make it fun or profitable for her to act that way. For instance, patting and attention will come to her when she is more calmly playing.

Carrie

hi

i have a boxer and yes this is play mine is also very boisterous and knocks people over with her over exuberence which boxers are renowned for which is why you don't see many boxers off leads on walks, great dogs but you will need lots of energy to keep up with their energy and their love of life which unfortunately other people out walking do not appreciate and i don't blame them who would like a 5 stone or more dog charging at them i have had major problems with this and no matter how hard i've tried she still does it the only answer when it involves other people is to keep her on a lead or walk her in more isolated fields when it comes to your own children distract her by getting her more interesting in a retrieving a ball i have one on a rope and have found she's more interested in fetching the ball than she is in the great game of knocking people over and licking them to death when their down!

j

hi thanx for all your replys, since i posted she is getting better.....i still let her of the lead in the park but watch her like a hawk and as soon as she looks like she gonna go for it i recall with treats and its starting to work ....this morning kids were playing football i thought here we go and instead of getting THAT look she just came over to me for her treat!!!! put her on the lead and off we went......
emma

i had two boxers and they are like that when young.they had me over a few times but they don't mean to hurt,just mis judge some times.they do get better when they mature and learn to curve round instead of through.maybe your dog is catching up the children to protect them / round them up so to speak.mine used to do this because they liked to be with the kids and very protective to them.
i can understand it is scarey for children and come keen when they hit but they are boxers and great with kids.