hello my name is Josie and i have a boxer named Dixie, i got her to keep her from being put to sleep. Dixie is mean to other animals and i would like to know if anyone know how i get her out of this i would love to keep her but i can not have her hurting other animals if anyone can help please e-mail me at lilhalo2003@yahoo.com .....thanks

Sounds like a problem for a behavior specialist. Aggressive behavior is never a fun thing to deal with, however, it usually is something that can be helped. There are some instances that are more difficult than others to treat. This is probably why she ended up in the shelter to begin with. If you really want to keep her, give a professional a call. They may be able to get you on the right track! Good luck!

[lil mutt]

Aggression in dogs is the most serious behavior problem that pet owners must deal with, and it is largely preventable if the owner understands canine growth periods and the factors that influence the development of aggressive behavior.

you can find more info here : Aggression | The Humane Society of the United States

[wishbone]

Try to enroll Dixie on behavior class, you can get some good advice and tips too on how to stop her with some commands, recall, etc. You got to show her who's the boss.

I recently took in a GORGEOUS AKC Blue Doberman female that a family could no longer keep due to personal family reasons. However they did NOT inform me (even when I asked about her socialization) that she had NEVER been around ANY other animals. Well once I called them and asked them about her behavior towards my other pets (I have another Doberman, as well as some Dachshunds, and cats, and horses just to name a few of what I own). The truth FINALLY came out. Well we were willing to take on the challenge of Obedience class and professional handling to try help her. Until today. My sister brought her Great Danes in to see me and the Doberman went after one of them. I got a hold of her and she bit me. This is the worst sign of aggression she's shown. So up until this point I was fine with working with her, we had her signed up to start classes next week. But I have small children, so having a dog that is going to BITE YOU because to touch them in the mist of them trying to bite another dog (mind you I was not in between them. She had to turn around to bite me).. is NOT something I can have near my children. So I contacted a lady who takes in Dobermans who need rehomed and trained. (yes on a holiday) She is supposed to call me back. This was the only way for me, due to my children. If you have children, please be careful. This girl is a SWEET HEART until there is another animal involved, and then, well lord only knows what she's capable of.

Word of wisdom- it doesn't matter what BREED or SIZE your dog is.. OBEDIENCE training is IMPORTANT as is SOCIALIZATION.

keep in mind that boxers are of the bully breed, so yes you can expect some unpredictibility. there is no dog that won't bite if pushed to far so you have no guarantee with any of them. what is she doing "mean"?


oakie I'd be extremely careful & suspicious of this woman. reputable ethical rescues do not take biting dogs as they will not adopt them out.

obedience classes have nothing whatever to do with temperment. you say you grabbed her & she bit you. purely reactionary

when you asked the owners about her "socialization" the average person would have no idea what you meant. now if you were specific as to animals, toddlers etc then maybe. but you know how people lie to make their dogs seem faultless.

how is it that you "took in" this dog? do you do rescue work?