We just adopted him a week ago. We have another female boxer that he eats her food as well even if they are seperate. So we have been telling him no, when he goes towards her food dish and he growls. Today he nip at my husband when he told him no twice. Should we get rid of him? We have two small children that our female boxer doesn't seem to mind but I worry he will attack my children.
2007-03-23 03:55:49 · 14 answers · asked by TN_girl 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I am a dog lover, I have 2 as well as three cats. But, if a dog is showing aggression, and starting to snap, GET IT AWAY FROM YOUR KIDS!!! Take it back to the place you got it and explain your concerns. Good Luck
2007-03-23 04:04:46 · answer #1 · answered by Peachy Keen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to develop a feeding ritual. Allot of people make the mistake of putting food in a dish and setting it down and saying "Good boy" and that's it! If your dog was in a pack he would eat when the Alpha dog lets him. Next time you feed your dogs have them sit and stay. Put the dishes down and DO NOT LET them move till you say it's okay. Now if he is growling at you it's because he considers himself the Pack Leader. Which is bad and could lead (already has) to a bite. Sounds to me like this dog needs discipline in his life and telling him "NO" only irks him more.
If I were you I would develop a feeding ritual with him and let him know YOU say when he can eat. But, you must stay calm, if you get agitated then he will too. Put his dish down and if he does not adhere to your commands, then block him from his dish, develop ownership of the house. Get your dog(s) on a exercise regiment at least and hour a day make them work for the right to live with you. I would also be leary of him around the children untill you set him straight.
In the wild when a stray tries to join a pack, the pack makes them work for their keep. Sometimes the pack knows a stray will not be beneficial to the pack right away and chase them off imeadiatley. Your dogs are working dogs, you must make them work. Buy some "dog packs" and make them walk w/ them on. You will be amazed at what a walk will do for all. As the saying goes; "A tired dog is a good dog."
If you do decide to take him back, and are still willing to have another dog in the pack, you must pay attention to what you are observing. If a dog is hyper at a shelter imagine how much more he will be when you get him home? Or, if a dog is skittish with just a hand clap, imagine what a fallen pan or plate would do to him. Find a dog(s) that have a "calm" about them a happy medium if you will. They are out there, you just have to know what you are looking for, and what your willing to do for the dog. Good luck!
2007-03-23 11:14:50 · answer #2 · answered by Beano 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact a trainer or behaviorist and have him evaluated. It sounds like he has an issue with food. This is something that will not go away on its own and if nothing is done to curb this behavior now, it will get worse. Do not leave food out all day for them and You will have to feed the dogs in seperate rooms and I recommend that you make sure that the kids do not go near him when he is eating. Also, contact the shelter or rescue that you adopted him from and let them know what is occuring with him.
2007-03-23 11:05:19 · answer #3 · answered by bluemysti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him some time. If you are worried about your kids, just don't leave them alone with the dog (not a bad idea for any dog really). My pit bull growls and barks sometimes when I tell her no. She likes to argue. She isn't aggressive, though. Just stubborn. The nipping might be more due to the fact that you are all still getting to know each other and learning voice tone/body language. It isn't very unusual for a used (lol) dog to take several months to be comfortable and well behaved with it's new family. Training, bonding, understanding.
2007-03-23 12:13:15 · answer #4 · answered by asatandrugthing 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've only had him a week and are already inclined to get rid of him I'd say, yes...take him back to the rescue or where ever it is you got him. They can find a more suitable home for him. Boxers are a real handful and require a lot of one on one attention, especially during the training process. It sounds like your plate is already full. And, if you get to a point where you are afraid of your dog, that's definitely a bad sign.
2007-03-23 11:08:18 · answer #5 · answered by MommaWorries2Much 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd make sure that you take your new boxer on lots of walks (bonding time). Currently your new addition doesn't respect you or your family as a pack leader so lots of walks and exercise are important. If you truly feel like your children are in danger I would take the dog back to the shelter. Update us on what you decide.
2007-03-23 11:29:59 · answer #6 · answered by kabar762 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some rescued dogs feel as though they have to fight for food. I have a dog that does that. I just simply put them in two different areas...one inside one out. They get along just fine that way. I have a boxer and sometimes she does stuff like that but she is just playing......I don't know in this case tho. I would just keep a close eye on him and let him have his food alone. Don't let your kids play hard with him until he adjusts.
2007-03-23 11:34:10 · answer #7 · answered by Sam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the place you gothim from did not do a very good evaluation on this dog. He has food agression issues and with small children in the house I'd be fearful too.
I'd take him back and quite frankly I'd give them a piece of my mind.
2007-03-23 11:06:27 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given that you have the 2 small children, and the dog shows no respect for the family.. I would take him back to the adoption agency. It's obvious that either they didn't evaluate the dog properly, or they didn't bother to make sure you got the right dog for your situation.
2007-03-23 11:03:36 · answer #9 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him back to the adoption place. Just advise them on what's been going on. The dog may need to just be in an environment with a single person and no other pets. Some dogs don't do well in families and with other pets and the shelter should have known this in my opinion before they let him out to you.
2007-03-23 11:00:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋