Reptile & Amphibian Forums

*We have a 12 month old boxer who we are having a few problems with....Rocky is the sweetest dog we have ever had, he rolls around on the ground and plays and is always so loving..he has always been around lots of people. we have a riding arena for rodeos/team roping and people always are coming over. Now when someone comes over he barks and get down like he is going to bite someone..the hair stands up on his back and he growls!! The other day a little boy went to pet him and rocky jump foward and growled....we can't have that....I don't know what to do...he wont stop when we tell him to and i have never had a dog do this so i don't know what to do...i know boxers are protective and territorial but when i say stop i want him to stop...but i still want him to bark when someone pulls up to let us know but i don't want him to show aggression or bite someone.
*Thing number 2- he chews up EVERYTHING...shouldn't he grow out of this by now....he has torn up flags,flower pots, ropes, garden ornaments, basically anything he can get his hands on or ses you with. if you set something down he will grab it when your not looking and go hide it. Me and my boyfriend are planning on moving into an apartment soon and rocky is coming with us...i don't want to come home to a destroyed house so we want to stop this now....
HELP PLEASE IF YOU CAN!!!!! WHAT CAN WE DO!!! I can't give my rocky up but something is going to have to be down!!

This pic is of rocky and his brothers and sister a year ago!

>>*We have a 12 month old boxer who we are having a few problems with....Rocky is the sweetest dog we have ever had, he rolls around on the ground and plays and is always so loving..he has always been around lots of people. we have a riding arena for rodeos/team roping and people always are coming over. Now when someone comes over he barks and get down like he is going to bite someone..the hair stands up on his back and he growls!! The other day a little boy went to pet him and rocky jump foward and growled....we can't have that....I don't know what to do...he wont stop when we tell him to and i have never had a dog do this so i don't know what to do...i know boxers are protective and territorial but when i say stop i want him to stop...but i still want him to bark when someone pulls up to let us know but i don't want him to show aggression or bite someone.
>>*Thing number 2- he chews up EVERYTHING...shouldn't he grow out of this by now....he has torn up flags,flower pots, ropes, garden ornaments, basically anything he can get his hands on or ses you with. if you set something down he will grab it when your not looking and go hide it. Me and my boyfriend are planning on moving into an apartment soon and rocky is coming with us...i don't want to come home to a destroyed house so we want to stop this now....
>>HELP PLEASE IF YOU CAN!!!!! WHAT CAN WE DO!!! I can't give my rocky up but something is going to have to be down!!
>>
>>This pic is of rocky and his brothers and sister a year ago!
>>

The destructive chewing stage is likely to last until the dog is 2-3 years of age. Check the link below my signature and read the article "Destructive Chewing" that is listed there, for how to handle it.

You'll need to go for training with the dog. The article "Training: What Does Your Dog Need?" will help explain. Dogs are learning all the time, and yours is learning the wrong things.

A veterinary behavior specialist can evaluate the dog's temperament on the aggression and advise you of the risks and options. Your veterinarian can help you find this specialist.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Have you taken Rocky to obedience classes? Rocky needs to learn who's in charge- and it's not him. Classes, especially positive reinforcement based classes, will teach this dog a lot. He's at a tough age- "teenager" if you will- and testing out behaviors. The one's hes choosing are unacceptable and need to be stopped. He needs to be shown what's acceptable.

Even if you have been going to formal obedience classes i nthe past, you shuld probably attend again. The reason I recommend classes instead of just training at home is getting another set of eyes to look at your timing and assist you is always beneficial.
-----
Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles