[Tailir]

My boxer wont stop barking @ people. I understand he's warning at first.. but he seems to almost want to take off after them. He's absolutely FINE at the dog park, people dont bug him there. But anywhere on our block, and usually it's just men. My 9yr old came into the house this morning and he started barking at her like crazy. I dont know if she just scared him or what. Is there anyway I can reduce this? or fix it? or something?

He's never been aggressive before. And it really seems like it's only @ the house. When i say he seems to take off after him, i mean that i can't let him off the leash @ home so he jerks the leash when i'm with him outside. Very rarely will he bark at other dogs.. it's just people. ESPECIALLY if it's a guy with a hat on. just to elaborate, he's never been beaten, he's been with me since he was 8 weeks old. So i should say he's never been abused since he was 8 weeks old. He'll be 1 June 20th.

I would love any suggestions to help him learn whats a threat and what's not. IF that's even a possibility.

[CorkyMax]

I take it you have a Boxer? If so--noted for being an excellent watchdog! It sounds like your dog is guarding territory for you, lol, the whole block being his territory! A Boxer needs a 'job' and wondering if this is his job!! This breed requires regular vigorous exercise which should help calm him down----tire him out. Take him for long walks---take treats along to use when he behaves---Distract him from barking when you see a person/guy coming--Turn him the opposite direction --have him sit--If he does--praise him if no barking and give him a treat. Repetition, repetition --till he gets it right!

Will quote some from my breeds book: Temperament--Intelligent and easily trained, Boxers have been widely used in military and police work. Training should start young and be firm and consistent---these exuberant animals need to be handled by a strong adult. They are reliable and protective with children and intensely loyal to their family. Excellent watchdogs, they will restrain an intruder in the same way a bulldog does.
----An active, athletic breed, Boxers need daily work or exercise. As well as a long, brisk, daily walk, they enjoy a session of play, fetching a ball.

Lol, I am assuming this is a Boxer!! And is his name Tailir?

Will give you a link to more info on the Boxer: Boxer Information and Pictures, Boxers

Be sure to scroll down the full length of the page--Darn ads get in the middle and makes you think you are done with the page when you are not! Also note that there are 12 pages of pics to click on (also some reading with some that might be helpful.) Love to see some pics of your dog--use to have a Boxer many years ago.

[Tailir]

Hehe, he is definately a boxer, but his name is Kai. I use tailir as an online handle.

We go to the dog park daily...aside from circumstances that arise where we unfortunately can't make it. I guess i could try walking him in the morning too.

Thanks alot for your suggestions!!

i love all dogs but in the off lead areas have found that boxers are often quite dominant towards my dog. Its more than dominant playing they are serious about biting other dogs around the neck often.

I think the issue is that these dogs need a lot of exercise and regular discipline. they are not the kind of dog that you can just give up on for a few weeks. Once you have an exercised socialized dog the training is more likely to work.

thats my suggestion anyway.

[Tailir]

hmm i'm gonna have to say that it's not lack of exercise. He defn gets enough of that. He's not dominant towards other dogs either..he's actually quite submissive. If a dog starts barking growling at him, he runs away. He does run in to play..which is absolutely a boxer trait. Sometimes w/o the usual introductions, which puts other dogs on guard.

His barking is @ people. Especially around the house.. I want to take him other places with me, like my daughters soccer game. But i'm terrified he's going to sit there and bark at everyone around me. He's NEVER barked at anyone at the dogpark before, until yesterday... an old man came out of the bushes and he just went nuts. Didnt lung or attack..just barked @ him. Circling around him <<which was probably because i was trying to grab him.

It's hard because I DO want him to warn me when people are around.. or if a stranger comes in the house. BUT he needs to learn that he can't just KEEP barking the ENTIRE time. Is this not a possibility? Is it just cut and dry.. either you train him NOT to bark at all.. or he barks at everything?

[cigwyllt]

Deafdogsrule is probably the best person to explain - her clicker training vids make it all look so simple. But if you "mark" his barking, our old dog would "speak" on command, you can also teach "quiet" but one won't make sense to him without the other.

Judy was allowed one woof if she heard someone or something then she had to stop but if I needed more from her - if someone unexpected came to the door after dark - I would say "speak" and she would give a wonderful deep bark.

[Tailir]

Thanks, i'll check those out too. Quick thought? Could part of it be cuz he isnt fixed , and coming up to his yr birthday ? I wanted to avoid getting him fixed until about 1.5 yrs. ...opinions?

[cigwyllt]

I guess if he is heading into adolescence it is a time for testing boundaries and trying out his strength so it could well be. I am used to smaller dogs and of course they mature much younger but it is very common for them to become more challenging as they reach 6 months or so and it must be the same for larger dogs, just later.

With a larger dog you don't want to have him fixed too soon so if 18 months is the best age for that then I would work with the barking for the time being.

[Tailir]

yea, i think i'm gonna find something that works. We did go to obedience classes together.. but had to miss the last 2 classes unfortunately. They were probably the ones about barking lol.