Vicious boxers???

I've known a lot of Boxers in my lifetime, but never really any aggressive ones - until now. I live in a small (30 homes), estate-like development - 22 of us have dogs. We all get together several times a week, rotating homes and basically let our dogs play for an hour or so. Everyone gets along.

One of our neighbors has three boxers - an older male and two very young females (one is a year old and one is 5 months) They never come out of their yards, they are never walked. The school bus stop happens to be right in front of their yard. Come bus time, these dogs go insane, puppy and all. Baking madly, growling, spitting, foaming at the mouth, trying to jump the fence. None of us can believe this behavior - even the younger females are unapproachable. Is this a natural temperment in Boxers??? The ones I've always met have been sweet, goofy clowns.

...by the way, the owners of these dogs are very nice, but keep to themselves.

Natural temperament in Boxers? Nope, not at all. But it is a temperament consistent with a lack of socialization in any breed. I also suspect that in addition to not being socialized they haven't been trained.

I would worry that this can escalate, especially as the females mature. If it were my kids, I'd be talking to the school and getting the bus stop moved.

That sounds like a lot of fun!!

Never judge dogs by their behavior behind a fence. Many very nice dogs are nuts behind a fence or barrier (including mine).

It is a part of territorial behavior which is common in working type breeds.

Sad they never get out tho, and I would also worry with a group of 3 about redirection/fights happening with this level of excitement happening every day.

Sounds like strictly territorial behavior to me. Many dogs are that way. When the school bus lets out in the afternoon I have to close my patio door. We let the dogs come in and out on the patio (we live in an apartment) but if I don't have them inside before the bus comes they go nuts....there is just so much excitement there...plus my poodle is slightly territorial...and kids are running all over the place and near his patio.

I understand about the couple keeping to themselves we are the type that keep to ourselves....though we do socialize our dogs with other dogs we know. Normally close friends and relatives and that happens a few times a week. And Walks are a must.

Its sad those dogs never get out and sadly a lot of people just keep there dogs as lawn orniments. But as long as they are in a secure fence and can't get out and they are well cared for and provided for there isn't much that can be done.

If it concerns you that much why not pick up your kids from school and take them to school (I plan on doing that anyway I never was comfortable riding the school bus you would be surprised what goes on on the bus these days...much worse than a few dogs behind a fence)

Good luck

Or talk to schoolboard about having the bus stopped moved

Very true. Although if the dogs never get socialized in addition to displaying this kind of behavior, I wouldn't judge, but I would be worried, especially with the school bus stop being right there.

If it was your dogs, well, I know how much you train them and socialize them.

I feel sorry for the Boxers . It too bad that they can't join in with the other dogs .... maybe you could talk to their owners . Now would be the time to get the youngsters socialized .

Probably the best thing to do in this circumstance is to talk to the people face to face. Express your concerns as diplomatically as possible, and maybe they might invest in a little privacy type fencing to reduce the visual stimulation of these dogs.

It is always a difficult circumstance when things like this are going on. No matter what they probably need better fencing.

Normal for a boxer, not really.

What it sounds like is unsocialized dogs with NO EXERCISE and NO mental stimulation, working out all their frustration and energy by "prowling" the fence.

Sure they are probably sweeter in person and not in the cooped up area...but personally i hope they are altered, cuz that could get ugly with multiple females and so much tension...

So no, NOT a normal temperament for a boxer...but totally understandable given the situation.

S

Boxers are not aggressive at all unless their owners make them aggressive. Why do they have 3 of them, are they breeding them? Maybe they could not handle one, so they decided to get 2 more to keep each other company. But you said they have 2 females and 1 male, they probably want to breed them and did not spay/neuter them. Boxers play best with other larger or similar-sized breeds or other boxers since they like to jump a lot on top of each other and use their paws as boxing gloves. Smaller breeds do not like this behavior and can get frustrated and growl and bite.

These neighbors moved to our development last year - at that point they had the male (9years old) who they warned us was "not nice." They also had Lucy (4 months, dressed in a cute pink tutu). They said they got Lucy to replace another female who had just passed. All of us neighbors were thrilled and we constatntly invited them to play dates with our pups, but they never joined us. Last month they just got another female - she is soooo cute, but very nervous and very growly. I know they are not breeding the dogs because Lucy was never pregnant and they mentioned a breeder they love (from the Chicago area) and have purchased every Boxer they have owned from them.

...and not that this means anything, but these peoples are very educated, have Executive jobs and seem to really love their dogs.

Even though the school bus stop is right in front of their house, the fence is aways back. We're not really scared we all just feel bad, mostly because we are all huge dog lovers and are saddend when our pups are all out playing, romping or being walked together and those poor Boxers (especially the young ones) are just watching us - barking and growling. So sad - we feel like rescuing them.

Would you mind forwarding me the name of the breeder? I was originally from that area??
hmmm....

Personally it sounds like though "educated", they should reconsider owning dogs or the WAY they own them, the dogs sound VERY unhappy!

S

Very well said. I had a Male Rottie that would act vicoius in the car but would lick the person if I open the car door. He just put on a show behind a barrier.

I of course don't suggest you assume this with the boxers but it could be true.

Maybe try to make small talk with the owner and try to educate him in a indirect and friendly way.....

Try talking to them first.

If that goes no where, theres another, less civil solution.

If the dogs are unlicensed, and unaltered I would give AC a buzz. Most cities have much much much higher fees to license unaltered dogs.

That might be enough to convince them to alter the dogs or rehome one or two.