[yellowlegs]

I have a boxer who is almost 4 years old. He has always been a pretty gentle dog. I have 4 grandkids ages 7 to 2 and he has never tried to bite either of them until recently. First he tried to snapped at me when I was trying to get him out of his kennel. He had mud on him and I made him stay outside until I had time to wash him off. My mother-in-law let him in accidently and he ran to his kennel. I went to pull him out and he snapped at me. I had to get the leash and hook it to his collar and then he came out meek as a lamb. Several days later my 2 year old grandson was playing in the living room and he walked by my dog and kinda flipped his ear and was talking about Bo's ear. My grandson flipped it again and before I could tell him to leave Bo alone, Bo snapped at his face. Well I could say that both of those times someone was messing with him and he did not like it. Okay. Then just 2 days ago Bo was running around outside like he does everyday and the hired man was out working in the shop area which is something which is always happening. Bo passed by the shop door several times and growled at the hired man who really didn't think to much of it. Then when the man went outside to the water hydrant Bo nipped at his leg and he had to get the hose and spray him to make him go away. Bo has never done anything like this before. The hired man has always worked here. I know he was not doing anything to Bo. He has too much work to even be bothered with him. Now I am afraid he will really bite someone or hurt one of my grandkids. I can't be with Bo everytime I let him out. We live on 40 acres so he has plenty of room to run on. but we do have neighbors with kids down the road and sometimes I suspect that he goes down there. Why has his behavior changed? Is it because he is getting older or what? He doesn't have any health problems. He saw the vet only last month when he got his rabies shot. I don't want to have him put down but I am afraid he might hurt someone. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[cigwyllt]

What a worry. Very strange for a dog to change his behaviour like that. I think the first thing would be to get him back to the vet for a full check up. Unless there is anything that you can think would have upset him his health is the first thing to investigate. Make sure the vet knows what has been happening.

Has all this happened since the rabies shot?

[yellowlegs]

Thanks for responding. Yes, this has all happened since the rabies shot. I am going to take Bo to the vet and talk to him about what has been going on. It will be later in the week before I can get him to the vet. It is very strange!

[cigwyllt]

I'm in the UK so the rabies shot is not something our dogs need unless someone chooses to take the dog abroad. But I googled the side effects of the rabies vaccine and one of those is aggression. Your vet should be able to tell you if his behaviour fits the pattern of a reaction to the shot.

[Lunareclipse]

Generally, a sudden change in behavior is due to a health problem. Take him to the vet again and let them know.