I have just woken up with a horrible start to the day.
Alex left to go up to London @7:15am, and I came down to Georgia (4 yr. old.) cuddling on sofa w/ Daisy Jones (7 mo. old Boxer.) Daisy is NOT allowed on sofa, so I did the usual...Down, bed, Daisy, come, etc. Nothing. My daughter is not helping by cuddling her, so I remove said child, and ask Daisy again in stronger tone, NOTHING...So, I went to grab her collar and she bit my hand. I lost my mind chased her under the coffee table and finally into her crate...and there she sits.
I am devastated that she bit me, and I probably reacted badly BUT, I am half asleep and my lovely girl has never done this before. What do I do? What do I not do?
Best,
Megan

Dear Megan, Poor you! Before you do anything have a nice cuppa and calm down. Dealing with her while you are angry won't help. She is just trying it on with you and as she is only seven months it won't take long to nip it in the bud if you are firm with her. My GSD used to mouth me when she got excited and a few loud OWWWWWWWWWs and a loud NO! soon stopped her.

Megan, first the cuppa. Than take Daisy out of the crate and straight to the vet. There is probably nothing wrong, but its worth checking. Then observe her very carefully over the next few days. Don't relegate her to the cage but don't not grab her by the collar. DO work hard on obedience for several short periods a day, especially lead work. It might also be a good idea to 'distance' yourself from her a bit - affection on your terms only etc. Also, I'd keep her away from Georgina and other kids if possible for that period. If she goes back to her normal self in a week or so, all is proabably fine. You may have inadvertantly hurt her when you pulled her by the collar. But if she shows any aggression - even grumbling/growling, you have a problem. I'll probably get into trouble for saying this, but if she did, and she was mine, I'd wallop her hard on the rump. I'd also scream loudly. I don't know how much experience you have of boxers, but if you don't have much, try to get an experienced boxer breeder to look at her if she continues to show aggression

As you probably know I'm no expert on boxers, but that's what I would do with one of my own dogs. Best of luck, and do keep us posted.+

PS - was it a serious bite, or just a nip?

Might sound like a strange question but has she had her first season yet. Kiera went very odd in the build up to her last season. Just a thought :)

Hello Sharon & Naomi,
This our first Boxer, but I have had American Staff's and Pugs for 16 years. I have an aquaintance in my town who breeds Boxers and I am in touch w/ Daisy's breeder in Lancs. Both my husband and I think she's been a bit off/strange/out of sorts this week. Her obidience work is not up to scratch, she's not listening and she's growling a bit. I am thinking she's likely to start her 1st season soon, so I've been watching her and leaving her alone a bit. The bite was not bad, just sore, no broken skin. BUT, it is unacceptable. I will whallop her if it happens again and I am ignoring her this morning. I've got two of my little girl's friends coming after lunch to play and I think I must crate her for saftey. She is usually so gentle and loving, she's besotted w/ my husband (who's away today, but normally works from home.) and perhaps she didn't like him leaving the house so early, etc.
I shall keep a close watch, not grab her collar, drink my tea and try to remain calm.(not a trait of mine!)
All the best and thanks,
Megan

Hi Megan
as the owner of a 12mth dobe I found that 6/7mths was the point where he started to test the boundaries a bit ,but as complete learner that,s all I can offer :)
Good luck
Liz ;)

Thanks Liz,
It's good to know what others have been through. I'll keep doing my best with her.
Megan

Megan,
I would think it may be to do with her age and a combination of first season plus trying her luck. I think you sound as if you are doing the right things as kids' safety is paramount. Having said that she may well be fine with them but you are right not to risk anything. Try putting a light lead on her collar in the house so that you can use that to control her if necessary. Our family had our first Boxer before I was born so I was brought up with one and have had them on and off ever since I lost my last one in 1997 having had 3 at once for a while but I have always had dogs. I would agree with what everyone has said so far be careful but don't upset yourself I am sure if you deal with this it will pass. I think it was Sharon who suggested a smack on the bum might not go amiss, I don't think that will hurt her one little bit! Anne

Thanks Anne,
Yes a little whack will be tried, if need be. In a perfect world I would never spank or smack dog or child.
But, I'm afraid, when safety is involved I will do it. And then deal w/ all the guilt.
daisy Jones is in her crate now and not at all happy.
Tough!
Cheers,
Megan

I don't think you should feel guilty at all .Murphy has a crate and he goes in it when there are little children in the house ,as much for him as them ,he,s simply too big for some children and being young he's as giddy as the next kipper !
enjoy your puppy -i know you don't need me to tell you you've far more experience than me
one day I'll write a list of murph's misdemeanors --it'll be a bl**dy big list :D
Liz ;)

Hello Liz,
Daisy Jones spent most of the day in her crate or barking madly in the garden, she's quite aggitated today and growling at me. I am concerned. Yes, she's a jumpy, nutty, Boxer pup...BUT nipping and growling is not on. She's being ignored and doesn't like. I wonder what else I can do, Sharon says I should try the vet...hmmmm. She's got obidience tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.
She's eating her chicken wings right now, so she's a bit happier.
Thanks,
Megan

Hello Megan
Don't want to upset anyone, read all the opinions about Scruffing before I joined. I expect you have read that my Lab suffers from allergies.When he gets hyper I am afraid I have to grab him by the scruff, tell him to SIT and STAY.I am afraid I do have to shout a bit as well else it doesn't register. In no way is this cruel to him, in fact it's to slow him down and stop him from running into things and damaging himself. Wondered if you could try this when she growls at you. He is 18months now so quite hefty.
tangle

Megan, as this is going on, I'd have her to the vet asap! She may have an infection or some other problem, or its just possible that you accidentally hurt her neck and she is in pain. IMO a sudden personality change like this is an emergency.

I would agree with Sharon, she sounds quite upset as opposed to trying it on, I think the vet would be a good idea to be on the safe side. I assume this is different to usual snuffling and talking that Boxers do
Anne

Hiya Megan
like I say I've only got the last 10mths with murph to go on .
growling and nipping is not on but i think it,s got to be kept in context and if she's never done it before then she doesn't know it's not acceptable ,she's probably not happy at being shoved aside for the day -to be honest i think I'd growl if I was lashed off the couch after being all snuggled up she may have abit of pmt as well ( don't know about that one we just have wall to wall testosterone :D ) dogs who'd have 'em ?
Liz :)
ps Ithink Daisy Jones is a great name ;)

>>>>> she's quite aggitated today and growling at me

Megan - as this is so out of character for her I'd get her checked over too. I saw your post this morning and felt for you - not much fun when they decide to push their luck is it :( I expected your posts added during the day to say that she had been quiet and submissive after that first incident this morning. If she has been grumbling / growly all day though I would look into it - maybe she is in pain or off colour ?
It may just be hormones -still waiting for the hormonal madam stage from my young lady who is nearly 9 months but I hope she won't be like this. You don't know that it is just hormones though and if I was you I'd want to look at other options and rule them out one by one.

With any size dog (be it boxer or a small breed) there is so much to lose if not sorted quickly. It is so easy and quick to lose confidence around them (I know from past experience of one GSD I had) and life for them and you deteriorates if you are not confident in their behaviour and are edgy if they are having an "off" day.

I'm not meaning to sound pompous or patronising at all - I've been there and if I could turn the clock back I'd do some things differently.

Hope you get it sorted and she's soon back to her usual self

Sara :)

Hello all and thanks for all your input yesterday.
Daisy Jones is calm and back to her usual gentle, sweet self.
She did not go to obidience this morning due to the wet weather(although it is now brilliant and sunny!)
She went out for a quick walk and was fine. We are having a sleep over at friends tonight and she'll be with her 2 Belgian Shepherd boyfriends, so we'll see how that goes.
She seems happier when my husband is around. Yesterday was awful because of the early morning antics: I crated her most of the day or banished her in the garden, to keep her away for the kiddies. This made her bark like mad. She was not given her way, and didn't like it.
She does not seem to be in pain, aggitated, unhappy or naughty at all today.
How queer?
I am confused, did I dream yesterday? Or is she SO my husbands dog now, she only wants him?
Trouble? Who knows?
Best,
Megbel

Megbel If it happens again get a brain scan done . just to make sure it is not a tumour or swelling . I am sure it is just a puppy having a go at getting his own way . But to be on the safe side and he bites again ,find out . if a puppy gets rage it is easy to overpower it if an adult gets rage no hope.
I do not mean to be negative Meg . I am just always suspicious to something out of character to the dog.
I think most of us at some time have experienced rage be ours or someone elses dog . So to be fore warned is to be forearmed. Mari

megan
glad daisy's better today, maybe its just a one off --I must defer to those with more exp. a trip to the vet wouldn't hurt but they do all try it on and when you come down on them they rebel - abit like kids !!!!!
Liz

Hi Megbel,

Just wanted to offer my support, She is young and they are daft bug---rs but biter not generally. ( Someone may disagree but hopefully not) The worst mine ever done was knock me unconcious in the park with excitement.

I have been around boxers all my life and I can honestly say never came across a biter so I think she may be testing you.

Talk to the vet she may be hormonal as some have said.

Keep us posted..

Pam

Hi Pamela,
Thanks for the imput. We are keeping a close eye on Daisy Jones. She is still a baby, an I must remember that! She is very gentle and sweet MOST of the time. She will alaways be a Boxer and get excited and jump and bounce, but we work hard on controlling it. She must sit in order to be greeted and pet and she is not allowed on the furniture or alone w/ our 4 year old, who loves nothing better than getting the crate with her or into her basket, and a lovely cuddle ends up in Daisy humpping her, and pinning her down, etc. So we are trying hard w/ the training.
She has nipped a bit since she bit me last week and if she goes under a bed or table and we try to remove her she gets a bit aggitated. She responds to my husband alot better than w/ me. He's her guy and that's life. We are off to obedience tomorrow if it's dry. As for the hormones, season, etc. I shall check w/ the vet when we are there next week.
Many thanks,
Megan

Hi megbel,

Fingers crossed all is well. keep us posted.

I am hopefully moving in 7 weeks bought a house with about 1/3- 1/2 acre near where I am so I may just may get a cheeky boxer 2 go with my 2 westies. LOL I miss mine so much.

Hubby is laughing over my shoulder..

BFN

Pam

Hope is is well? :)

Julieann

HI Megbel

Don't know if you're still there, as I see the original thread was a few days ago, but I'll add my 2 pence worth if I may. (By the way, totally agree with having the cuppa - one of the best tools in dog training, that or a stiff drink LOL!)

My view is that your girl may have been a bit confused by your little girl cuddling her on the sofa, and then being told to get off. The nipping and her general behavaiour as you describe it seems to point to this in my humble opinion. I'm not saying she shouldn't do as you ask, but we have to be fair and consistent with training.

If the problem hasn't been solved by the time you read this, try putting a long lead (or washing line or similar) on her round the house while you are there. Re-train her, using a suitable word of command such as "Daisy, off!" in a normal tone of voice. Whatever you do, DON't say "down" because so many use this to mean "lie down" - which she is probably already doing, in her eyes, but just on the sofa!! Many dogs get distressed when they feel they ARE lying down, but the owner actually means Off!!! It's confusing and they don't understand. Ignore any growls etc.

There is a reason for this - she may feel conflict and be confused so growling is her communicating, saying "I['m not comfortable with this situation".

Then gently pull her off the sofa with the long lead/washing line, and reward with a treat or happy praise. I would start with a treat first as a BIG reward, also a game if she loves a game, again as a reward.

If she resists being pulled, just keep pulling (don't jerk) until she is off. /Then reward.

The point is to make the getting off rewarding, so she want wants to do it and works with you.

Lots of practice, making it as fun as possible.
After a while, (and it may take a little time) she should get off on command as it is so rewarding, you can then phase out the rewards but still give praise etc. and be happy!

This method will also work with a bolshy pup, and indeed if you are totally sure the pup is truly bolshy (although i have to say it doen'st sound like it to me) and your sofa is not too big, just upend the sofa. A genuinely bolshy pup will learn that what you say goes, but the relationship is intact.

I have to add that for this to work other areas may have to be addressed, such as the getting funny when under tables etc ...... and all family members must be consistent.

Try to show her what you want and be consistent, and remember to praise good and acceptable behaviour.

Email isnt the best medium, but the end result should be that, even if the dog does sometimes get on sofas, with your child's encouragement, at least she will get off and be obedient when asked.it may be unrealistic to expect her to stay off them altogether if she is encouraged by one family member.....

I would keep an eye on her health too, vet suggestions are sensible esp. if it is a sudden change in behaviour, although it doesn't seem to be. Good luck.

Lindsay

Hi Lindsay,
Just got this message as I am finding it next to impossible to EVER get intp this forum these days!
Miss Daisy Jones is doing really well and we have had zero problems in the last few weeks. Just being consistant in her training and keeping on top of DD, who is only 4 and LOVES her pup a bit much.
I will cross my fingers that the bite was a one off!
Best,
Megan

Megan
Good to hear she,s doing well :)
Liz :)