Advice Needed.

[Farmer Kitty]

Look into a rescue group and let them know of her behavioral problems. Other than that I would put her down. To rehome her is just passing the problem on unless they are trained in dealing with animals like her and can rehab her.

 

[hollyclyff]

Please, please, whatever you do - don't let this dog run loose anymore. Speaking as the neighbor of someone with a dog like this - at best you will completely ruin neighbor relations and at worst your dog will end up hurting someone.

 

[dutchhollow]

Frist don't blame yourself for this problem. Dogs with socialization problems generally aren't aggressive in this manner (even unsocialized dogs that are feral, their first response is to run) they genrally have fear issues and can be fear biters but they don't 'attack' , problems with them usually happen when they are cornered.
She more then likely was born this way through poor genetics, or she has a medical issue (brain tumor).
Anyway keep her away from your daughter, well keep her away from everyone, get a hold of a boxer rescue, tell her what is going on and see with they will deal with her, I persoanlly would have the dog pts, there are lots of nice dogs out there needing homes to use resources on a biter (unless you can give them enough of a donation to cover trying to rehab this dog).
I will say this comment bothers me, and probably most other people that live in the country:
'We moved into the country so that our animals would not have to be penned or chained. Now I am facing having to chain this dog. "
Unless you have the miracle dog that knows where your property line is, or you live 10 miles from your nearest neighbor or public road, you still have to have a fenced yard or only let your dogs out when you are in the yard with them. There are posts on this board every day about dog attacks. My neighbor has no idea their dogs roam the county after they pull out of the driveway in the am, I am sure they will be hbc or shot if not by livestock owners, then by deer hunters soon. Everyday on CL here or the local ads, there is an add for a dog that needs a home in the country where they can run, makes me insane to read that, anyway jmo.

 

[Bec]

I know exactly how you are feeling right now, I went through this same situation about 3 years ago, reading your post, it could have been me writing it. We had taken in a 4 month old pit bull puppy who was severely neglected and malnourished. Before anyone jumps on me, it had NOTHING to do with her breed, it was this particular dog and her messed up life before we took her in. My brother has a pit bull and she is a sweetie pie! We had this girl for 2 years and tried working with her, but she continued to growl at anyone who came near the house or even people in the house (like my DH and kids) She never went after them, but she did sit right next to me a growl. I tried rehoming her, but 2 times she was returned and then I realized that it was too much of a risk to rehome her, so we decided just to keep her. At about 2 years old, she started attacking my minpin and he had to have 2 surgeries on his face. Then she jumped a 6 ft dog kennel and attacked my neighbors sheltie and then she started growling at my kids when they were outside. We, without a second thought, had her humanely euthanized by a veterinarian. The vet agreed it was the best thing. I miss her dearly and still cry when I think about her, she loved ME to no end, but was a danger to everyone around me and other living things. I did what I had to do for the safety of my children and others. She is missed, but I know I did the right thing. **I am not telling you that this is what is best for your dog** This is just my story.
My first concern would be your children and other children. They are #1. Second is the safety of anyone else who approaches unknowingly.

I think all the advice here is good advice. Definitely call the boxer rescue and just ask them if this is something that can be worked on or not. Be completely honest about every detail and get an honest opinion back. Also I agree with having her to the vet, have them take a look at her and see what their suggestions are.

I really hope there is something that can be done to help her!!


Edited for run-on sentences...

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
This is a terribly common misconception that people have when they move to the country. Dogs still need to be contained on their owner's property for their own safety and the safety of others and their pets. The predator forum is full of horror stories because people thought that living in the country was a reason to let their dogs roam.

The dog is dangerous. If you cannot retrain it and work on socialization, then give it to somebody that will or humanely euthanize it. The situation is not safe. Please, don't let the dog roam. Letting a dog roam just makes it other peoples' problem too. Please don't put your neighbors in a position to be injured or have their pets injured. I have neighbors that thought it was OK to let their dogs run. The dogs have a history of attacking small pets and bit a child once. The dogs got 13 of my chickens. They put me through a lot of grief. If the dogs come back and I see them, I will have to shoot them. Please don't put your neighbors in a position where they may have to shoot your dog.

If the dog harms somebody or kills somebody's pet, not only will the victims be traumatised, but you will most likely be held liable. It could be very expensive emotionally and financially.

 

[2boxers]

I am working with her now to try to rectify. I really do not want to euthanize.

I allowed the dogs to run because they keep coyotes away. I live in the middle of three large farms, all the neighbors have dogs that run free, and there is generally not a problem with them. It's this dog. My other two dogs are not at all aggressive, but when they are all together, well, they do what a pack of dogs does.

Step one has been not allowing them to run as a pack. My two males are allowed out together, but my boxer, Belle, has to go out alone or on a leash. When I am at work, she cannot stay inside alone (she destroys things) so she is crated while my boys are free in the house. Already I am seeing a change in her. Too much freedom, perhaps?

In her early puppyhood, she was well socialized. We took her everywhere-camping, festivals, parties, etc. Only after my other boxer fell ill did she begin to go nuts.

I have a vet appointment next week to have a full evaluation and to discuss options with the Dr. Just seeing all the suggestions seems to have pushed me into action. Belle is a beautiful dog and she is capable of being a great pet. I've just got to stop doing all the wrong things.

I love Boxers, but I think maybe I'll stick to mutts after this one. They seem less...high maintainance.

Thank you every one for the suggestions, advice, and for not flaming me.

 

[kees]

How old was Belle when she joined your family? Anything that she experienced up to and including the first 8 weeks of her life could explain some of her behaviour.

Taking her to the vet for a physiological exam is a wonderful idea.

You don't necessarily have to pay for professional dog training if you are willing to spend a lot of time retraining her. At this point, Belle views herself as the alpha member of the family and that misconception needs to be changed.

Buy a six-foot cotton lead and a metal choke chain collar that is exactly 2 inches longer than the measurement of Belle's neck. Make sure that you put in on the right way. It should go on Belle like a letter P.

Start with the command "come" in a firm voice as you slap your left thigh. Don't repeat it. Belle's not deaf. If she doesn't come, yank the lead firmly and the collar should snap. It's not mean. Say, "Nooo". Use the lead to bring her to you. When she comes, lean down and pat her side. Don't pat her head. Repeat this for ten minutes and then play with her using a squeaky toy or ball. If you're outside, do not let her off of the lead. You can let her run around you while you make sure that you don't get tangled.

Then, as the alpha person in your family, work on the command "down". Firmly say down. If she doesn't heed the command, do not repeat it. Step on the lead so that her head goes down and the body will follow. Say, "Good girl". Practice this for 10 more minutes and then it's playtime again, perhaps with a biscuit as a reward.

Belle should always be taken out on a lead with you going out of the door first. Feed her after you eat with no begging at the table. Even looking at your food is considered begging.

If you look online, you'll find a myriad of information about dog training. Don't think of the techniques as being mean. You're trying to help socialize Belle. Like children, all dogs will test their limits to feel secure. Training her to see you as the alpha member of the family will mean the difference between keeping her or not.

Suzy



P.S.- Never hit Belle.

P.P.S.- Let us know what happens. We care!

 

[2boxers]

Kees, thank you for the instruction.

We have a choker for Belle, but when we are on the leash, we generally use a pinch collar. Can I use that to train?

I am very guilty of patting her on the head-it's easy to reach. I shall stop.

 

[joshplus10]

2boxers - my heart goes out to you!

After you consult a vet and boxer rescue, if you decide to keep her please commit to working with her daily.

I adopted a "growly" dog and loved him dearly. He and I had a lot of success with positive reinforcement training. There are many good resources on that subject, but I suggest that you start with the San Francisco SPCA dite (www.sfspca.org).

The key to reducing agressive behavior is exposing the dog to the stimulus (such as a dog or a child) at a distance far enough to allow the dog to respond consistantly to commands such as "sit," "down," and, my favorite, "look at me." Gradually, over time (many days) reduce the distance, increase the duration and intensity of exposure as your dogs' reactiveness diminishes and her focus on your commands increases.

I can't tell you how great it feels to get a "down" at a distance in the presence of a stimulus that used to generate agression!

Best wishes.

 

[NancyDz]

If you have Animal Planet , check out the show "It's me or the dog" it shows some great training tips on problem dogs.


Good luck with Belle!


Nancy