I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice.  I am asking on my friend's behalf.  She has a four year old boxer who is a lovely dog but has recently started to turn on other dogs.  He was bitten by another dog as a pup but he wasn't too bad after that.  If he is in the park on the lead and another dog passes he will try and go for it.  Up to about 6 months ago he ran happily off the lead and played with quite a few dogs. Then he started running up to other dogs and attacking them.  He is fine with my own cocker spaniels now and still has a couple of doggy friends.  He is very boisterous and does jump up quite frequently.

The other day my friend was walkiing him and he tried to attack a woman walking past for absolutely no reason.  He is a very nervous dog, hates loud noises and is terrified of fire works.  Basically he is a lovely dog but has this nervous aggression. Can someone suggest a good behavourist as she really can't cope.  At the moment she can't even take him out the house because he pulls so much and she (and I agree) won't use a choke chain and she is only tiny herself.  She has had a couple of behavourists in the past but didn't seem to get anywhere.

She lives in Middlesex/NW London Area

Linda, she needs to see a behaviourist who is a member of the APBC: www.apbc.org.uk

To see one of these registered behaviourists she will need to get a referral from her vet.  So, tell her to take him to the vet for a physical check up (sometimes there is something wrong physically with a dog so it's in pain and is aggressive because of this - they need to eliminate this before working on behavioural things).

Definatly a vet check first, especially in this sort of scenario - one of the indicators of thyroid problems is agression, and thyroid in more common in Boxers as a breed, so you'd need to rule that out with FULL blood tests first.

Hi Li7nda I own boxers and as a rule they do not tend to be a Aggressive breed.
It is advisable that at the onset of any sign of aggression, all possible medical causes are ruled out. BEFORE you consult a trainer.

If an injury, disease or genetic congenital defect, is deemed the cause of the dog's mood swings or aggression, then no training will be effective until the problem has been resolved or controlled.

There are many conditions that can cause unusual or aggressive behavior in dogs. Anything from problems with teeth and eyesight to joint pain.

If the temperament problem is genetic in nature, then the likelihood that the animal can be completely cured of the aggression is minimal. The treatment would then concentrate on the "management" of the behavior rather than an absolute cure.

Other conditions (like Hypothyroidism) can be effectively treated with medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Any condition which causes inflammation of the brain, can also cause neurological problems, including aggression. A chemical imbalance can make their behavior unstable and medication may be required to rectify the problem. A dog in pain can react in a defensive or aggressive manner. I would advice like the other posters to get your friend to take him to her vets and have any illness ruled out...As for the nervous side of him as your friend tried using a DAP (dog appeasing pherimone) they do work and might hel him with regards fire works and loud sudden noises..I hope everything turns out ok for this little man..

hi, as another Boxer owner (2).......I have to agree with Polly_45  tell your friend to try all she has sugested............in the mean time it would be a good idea if she invested in a "Dogmatic Headcollar"  found them to be the best fitting for Boxers......... this goes over the muzzle(not a  muzzle)  under the chin and around the back of the head( like a headcollar on a horse)........she will have 100% more control over his walking, pulling and jumping up at people while she is out walking him.................   he will not like it at first, but if she gets him used to it at home , by treating him when on (dont pull) let him walk at his own pace...............

I am sure if she uses the Headcollar, she will feel a little more confident when walking him.

Tell her not to give up, she will get there.