Boxer Talk

I have two boxers that have lived with us for about 3 years. One came and lived with us a year after the first one was born. Then, my son came home from college with his pit bull. the dogs all seemed to get along fine for about 8 - 10 mons. Now, the two boxer fight so vicious that I have had to separate them. Help. I don't like going through all the hassle, but I don't want them to kill each other; which I am sure they would if allowed to continue to fight. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Rhonda!

Well, I have had quite a few boxers and several of them have lived together (never more than two at a time.)

That being said before I say my piece I would urge you copy this link - http://boxerworld.com and have a look there for advice. As well as any other sources you can find.

As I say I'll try to offer advice but despite the amount of boxers I've had I don't consider myself an authority. You may get better or more thorough help elsewhere.

The two dogs I had most trouble with in this way, were Muffin and Troy. Both female, mother and daughter but they had been separated for a number of years before Troy came to us.

In the case of an actual fight it's best not to get yourself bodily involved as much as possible. Try to get a chair or door or something solid in between them.

They are I would assume basically fighting over dominance, pack position.

Do you know which one is most aggressive? Is one usualy the winner in any confrontation?

Hard as it may be you must treat this dog with some favouritism. Reinforce it's dominant position.

If you give them a pet or cuddle this dog gets it first. Same with treats.

If they fight you must not console the loser overly much especially not in front of the other dog and must not reprimand the victor. Though that doesn't mean rewarding the victor either.

They won't understand and will see it as one or the other being rewarded.

I really hope things get better but please seek better advice than I can give and not just online. Perhaps ask your vet or anyone that specialises in dog behaviour.

Unfortunately what you're experiencing isn't all that uncommon, but it usualy settles down if one can gain a clear dominance. It's not the way we humans would ideally have it but a dogs life is built on rank. They need to establish that.

The very best of luck rhonda!

Tinkerbell, Hi and thank you!

Just interesting to note, the other dogs that I've had together never really had any big aggression between them.

There was Lottie and Jason. Lottie being 5 or 6 years old when Jason was born. Then Jason and Lilly. With yet again some similar age gap.

Whether it was the age gap or the male female combination in both cases that made for a lack of antagonism I don't know but I suspect both things helped make for no trouble.