I have been looking after my friends boxer Rodney with my 3 all week his mum abroad on her hol's.

My question is that Rodney will not say hello to other dogs properly and always seems to get attacked. I have my EBT on his flexi lead (as always) my other 2 youngsters are free running so Rodney is off lead too, the strange dogs we meet will be fine with my 2, greet each other with tails wagging head low and  do the sniff sometimes Starks will have his heckles up- but Rodney will insist on sniffing their butts but will not allow the sniffing from the other dog...stare at them with a stupid look on his face and well just act odd ? There is no outright aggression that is obvious? but I would like him to learn manners in greeting other dogs, he's going to be 3 this year so thought he would of learnt dog manners by now or is he a hopeless case is it the breed? and will be like this forever... He also upset my son the other day by charging at a puppy which eventually took flight as had 3 dogs having a good sniff and freaked it out , and he ended up pinning it with the pup screaming its heart out after chasing it for ages. My son was upset that he did not stop the chase which the other 2 did and came back to him and sat with him.
The only other thing I have noticed more now than before when he has stayed with us- is that he is very nervous he will jump at any noise and is terrified of the ironing board & hoover? 

I have three different types of dogs and one my oldest a 9yr old male boxer is the most gentle and calm boy.
i remember someone saying to me years ago that a lot of other dogs don't like boxers but i must admit i've never had a problem.
Really don't think it's the fact he's a boxer but more the way he's greeting other dogs. It took a lot of time a patience to get the calm boy i have as boxers do tend to be a bit OTT, with lots of energy but if you train them well and don't wind them up ie keep them calm they are the greatest dogs and i don't think i could ever replace him.
I know a lot of people with boxers that have trouble controlling them, by that i mean their so full of energy and take a lot to keep calm and tire out. It's really all down to training and the way you treat them. Like any breed they all have different traits but if taught properly you can get a great dog.
Your friends boxer isn't too old to go back to training class as there's plenty of older dogs that need to learn the way to behave. i would suggest that she fine a local club so the dog can get used to meeting other dogs and people in the correct way and also help build the dogs confidence when meeting other dogs, as he maybe nervous thats why he doesn't like other dogs near his back end.      
Other dogs must think he's not being very friendly if he wants to sniff them but want return the gesture. He also needs to learn to not rush up to other peoples dogs, as thats not nice for other dogs or owners(thats if he does do that).
Not sure thats much help but i hope with a little training this could be easily sorted.      

Thanks for the reply, he is a handful for his owner with him not listening when told to come back when called, he has even come running to my house rather than go back to his screaming Mum on one occasion. I never tell him off and put him on his lead, just shout his name in a angry way he stands still looking glum, then all forgotten, so at least he realises that I am quick to forget about any misdemeanors whereas i know his Mum will not talk to him for days. I know his owner has started jogging with him so his exercise has increased so a much happier lad. He did attack my 2 dogs when he stayed last over his food bowl but has not had one growl at them this time over food. He is very good with my new boy Starsks who growls at him to keep away- so I suppose he does listen to my lot at least!  The only other thing he has done which my friend told me the other day was growl at her 1 year old daughter that was when he was asleep and she touched him? He has in the past growled at her older daughter of 9 years when she tried to move him off her duvet which he decided to claim as his own and crash out on? Is this something to be worried about?  I do worry about dogs growling at kids!

It's really impossible to "diagnose" behaviour problems, especially second or third-hand.  Not sure what you mean by "attack" - dogs that attack eventually end up in dog fights and you have not said that has happened.

One of my dogs is fearful, he's lovely and affectionate and more than any other dog I've owned always wants to do the right thing.  He is good with other dogs.  However, if they frighten him he will growl at them - anyone that knows dogs can tell it's a bluff.  Once the other dog backs off he's absolutely fine and is content with some polite sniffing.  He also has a "time limit" on sniffing - if another dog lingers too long he tells it off. 

He is often given to growling if he is comfortable and he needs to be moved.   It's not a growl per se; he's just grumbling and showing his annoyance at being shifted. Being shifted on the duvet was a big one for him; but as I shifted him I'd say "move over" ... and now all I have to do is give him the command.  If he really has a hissy fit type growl, the next second he comes back to me, tucks his head under, and presses against me.  It's as if he's shocked himself and needs reassurance everything is still okay.  I have never had any concern that he would actually do anything more than growl/grumble.  Even with other dogs, when a large boisterous dog ignored being scolded what my dog did was roll on his back in submission.

In terms of growling at children, for the nine-year old it would be ideal if she could take charge of more things for the dog - such as feeding, teaching him some commands or tricks, etc.  Dogs and one year old children should not be left alone together, of course, neither should they be put in the position where the child can annoy the dog whilst they are eating or sleeping.  Many dogs grumble when they are disturbed while they are sleeping.

Children should never be left to touch dogs when their a sleep, the dog will react as it doesn't know whats happening to him. especially if he's in a deep sleep.
With regards to the dog on the duvet he maybe trying to show dominant behavour by claiming this as his and i would make sure he only sleeps or lies on his bed,maybe put one in the lounge so he has his own place to go. it really is a lot better that a dog who wants to be head of the house knows his place and isn't allowed to sleep on furniture or your bed as they can become very possesive about things.
If he tends to to do this a lot then leave a lead on him and rather than try and pull him off by his collar us the lead so if he gets silly your hand isn't by his head.when he gets off reward his good behaviour.
Sounds to me like the owner and dog really would benefit from training classes. You say she shouts at him when he's running off and this is never a good idea as the dog learn that coming back isn't fun and if he's told off when he returns then he will come back less and less.
How ever long it takes your dog to come back always reward, never shout and call him back for treats every minute then let him play again off lead. if he think that the only time he's called he will be going on the lead then as far as he's concerned thats the end of play and he want come back. make it a game calling him and reward then play etc. make him sit for the treat each time so if you want him on the lead then you have chance to get hold of his collar.
If the dog starts to run off it's much better to run the other way making lots of silly high pitched sounds or shaking a toy than go after him or stand shouting, if it's a game to chase you and he gets fun and a treat he will choose that over just ignoring you.
Your friend can practice recall in the garden and house, the dog really needs patience and reward based training. always reward good things and carry treats round so you can give him one every time he comes to you or listens to what you want and if he's naughty try not telling him off but distract him with a treat or toy. this method works much better than shouting or getting angry with them.
Boxers do sulk and mine does if he's being ignored or been left at home but thats just a boxer thing.
I do hope this person gets some training with her dog as boxers are so lovely when trained well.
 

> I never tell him off and put him on his lead, just shout his name in a angry way

     Why would you speak to any dog angrily?   There should never, ever be a reason for a dog to feel your anger.

My dogs know when i speak to them in an angry tone they have done something i don't like- so they don't repeat the bad behaviour?

If I went along talking sweetness & light with my dogs all the time how are they going to know they have done something wrong ?

> My dogs know when i speak to them in an angry tone they have done something i don't like- so they don't repeat the bad behaviour?
>

Exactly!  They don't repeat it because of incurring anger.  A bit too Caesar Milan I think - get the dog to obey because it's frightened not to.

It is most definitely possible to have a dog obey because it wants to please you.  I accept that we probably have different ways of training.

> A bit too Caesar Milan I think - get the dog to obey because it's frightened not to

I'm quite taken aback that you assume I am like that domineering bloke milano. I do not physically grab my dogs or get into their faces make them 'earn' their food & water! My dogs are not fearful- The most recent addition to my family Starsks I feel has become a proper dog in the last 6 months through kind loving training- not what you are implying I do thank you very much.   Just because I speak to my dogs and let them know when I'm dis-pleased you have accused me of being the worst dog trainer known to man.
You can use bribery- toys & food to condition your dog to behave well all the way through its life if that's how you want it- mine behave because they want to please me. Just a tut will do in correcting a pet. I'm talking about certain behaviours I will not have, such as cat chasing- Starsks would chase any strange cat he saw which I don't like so after calling him to me in a stern voice and saying bad dog then letting him go off again he has stopped chasing cats.    

>after calling him to me in a stern voice and saying bad dog

So you called him to you, then scolded him when he obeyed? Or have I read that wrong?

I call him back so he runs back to my feet he then sits- then I tell him bad dog or no, then say off you go so he skips back off again? He knows its OK to come back as I only ever tell him- scold sounds a is a bit hash? I just tell him I don't want him chasing cats? Anyways if I was that hash he wouldn't come bounding up to me would he? Now when he sees a cat he does not automatically gallop after it, he stands there looking and I say no leave so he lets it be. I have a large amount of neighbours cats who come to visit, plus my own when I first got him he would charge like a crazy cat killer out in my yard and go for my cat too, so I had to let him know not to do that anymore. Weirdly he came from a house with loads of cats and was fine with them? so maybe his new found confidence and having his sister joining in made him go a bit savage with them?