Animal And Company: Re: [boxer lovers] need help understanding boxer

What Nana is pointing out is ... SHE is the alpha dog. SHE tells the
"pack" what they can and can't do. Who eats when (even IF they get to
eat) etc.

Anytime you have multiple dogs, you HAVE to be the meanest, nastiest dog
in the pack ... when required. You need to establish NOW the pecking
order. And put that boy at least 2nd if not 3rd. Some of that will be
determined by the placement among the already in place cockers.

It's possible the one cocker's barking is just the right pitch to set
off your boxer. At 7-1/2 months, you HAVE to get control of him RIGHT
NOW. He gets much more size and age and you won't be able to. And if you
don't stop it, you're facing having your cocker seriously injured or
killed. And if that happens ... your boxer should also be put down.
There's no excuse for a house pet to kill another.

So, first off, you're not home -- he goes into a crate. You have to do
this to protect the other dogs. You are home, he goes for your cocker
--- you stop him, instantly. One thing I found that worked with my male
(older puppy when I got him -- and he thought he see just WHO was Head
Dog in the home), if he did not instantly and constantly obey me ... I
literally picked him up, flipped him on his side and held him down --
hand on the head/neck, hand/arm across his body. And in a FIERCE voice I
told him NO. Took 2 times, and he decided maybe I was the Meanest Alpha
in the room.

Also, if you aren't going to use him for breeding (and, personally, if
he hasn't got his AKC Championship, I wouldn't use him to breed -- there
are truly enough boxers out there to go around), get him neutered. A
neutered male doesn't have the "Got to prove my worth" hormones.

LisaW

Nana Charlton wrote:
>
> I have 3 boxers, Bella I have had 3 years is a rescue found on the
> side of the road with a litter of dead puppies. She is 8 or 9 now.
> Yukon, my male, and Gemini, a female, are rescues I adopted March 16th
> are from the pound are about 7 years old, also are brother and sister.
> All are altered They are doing great together. Belia can be a little
> bossy but the other two don't seem to care. We have rules though. I
> always walk Bella first. If I am going to walk them together I hook
> her up first. At feeding time, twice a day, They get excited but once
> I have her food ready they know the rules. I have the spots about a
> foot a part. I always feed them in the same spot. I say Bella's name
> and put her bowl down then Yukon's and say his name, and then Gemini.
> They eat great together. I always follow the order and they eat after
> I say the name as I put their bowl down. I stay near to keep
> control. I have no problems. Bella gives
> the bitch both meanings. She has set some of her own rules. She does
> not want running in the house so as he runs through the house she runs
> with him and nips his side. He pays her no attention and runs anyway.
> he takes good care of both girls. If they come in wet he sets about
> licking them in the face and head to dry them The look on Bella's face
> is priceless, ears out to the side head lowered she hates by but lets
> him. They are doing great, but I set the rules and they are good with
> them.
>