I have a neutered 16 mo Boxer. Aquired him at 8 wks. Trained with Ed Fraley and Michael's methods. Sits, waits in down for food and waits until given the command to take anything from my hand (treat, ball etc.) Knows out command and is crate trained.

We had a problem when he was about 3 or 4 mo old whenever I moved or had contact with him to get him to leave something alone that he wasn't suppose to be messing with he would growl while coming back at me snapping. I corrected by NO and gave a tug on the leash then moved him away from the object.

It seemed that the problem was corrected until recently. The other morning when we were getting ready for work he was getting in our way and my husband went to take the drag leash that he wears all the time and the dog turned and growled and snapped at my husband getting him on the hand.

Needless to say my husband very firmly took him to the room where we put him when he is being a pest or when we have company.

Then yesterday while walking him at 7am the next door neighbors dogs started barking and he got rowdy, when I told him NO Settle Down and popped the leash he turned toward me and lunged.

He is usually a very good dog abeit very energetic and I have a jolly ball that we play several times a day to give him excersise. I have looked on the forum for something similar and felt like this was not quite what I've seen posted.

Also, he does not like to down for very long. I've been working with him to extend the down but when he breaks the down he will show aggression if when he refuses to down again and I try to place him in down posistion he will growl and fight me and snap at me.

Any help would be appreaciated from those who are more experienced than I in this area. I have trained in obedience for 25 years with mainly Dobermans but don't have very much knowledge with the Boxer breed.

Hi Diane and welcome. Sometimes it can be slow here on teh weekends, so you may see more responses in a couple of days.

Have you considered working with a trainer who has experience with dealing with aggression issues?

Regarding your issue with the long down, are you actually physically forcing him into a down?

Are you familiar with the term 'nothing in life is free' (NILIF) as it pertains to dog training? If this were my dog, that would be my first step...

Welcome to the board, Diane. I see this is your first post, although you've been a member for a while. Like Lynne said, weekends are notoriously slow around here as it's training time for many.

There are many members here with the experience to help you with your situation, so I would suggest bumping this thread tomorrow.

In the meantime, I believe one of the first questions you will be asked is how much exercise is your dog getting? You mention that he is very energetic and that you play jolly ball with him several times a day. What other exercise does he get, specifically? How much time does he spend alone each day? Do you currently have other dogs?

I think the answers to these questions will help our members provide you with specific advice.

Hi, Diane,

I know that all the questions Lynne and Cheri asked will be asked by anyone reading the thread.

I can only offer commiseration.
I was away from our farm over the weekend,hubby doing chores (nice hubby). Wiping our dog off with a towel, he mentioned he thought he was going to be bitten.
I thought we had that fixed.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

I can only offer commiseration.
I was away from our farm over the weekend,hubby doing chores (nice hubby). Wiping our dog off with a towel, he mentioned he thought he was going to be bitten.
I thought we had that fixed.

Betty, I'd open a new thread when you have time.

I know I have questions, but I don't want to derail this thread.

Hi Diane, welcome.

 Quote: Diane Martin

The other morning when we were getting ready for work he was getting in our way and my husband went to take the drag leash that he wears all the time and the dog turned and growled and snapped at my husband getting him on the hand.

Getting ready for work in the morning can be an energy filled time, especially if we’re running a little late. Our morning routine consists of about 20 minutes with me and the boys outside while the coffee is brewing. The two young ones are then collared up for a two mile bike ride while I get ready for work and get their breakfast out.

Once the exercise is done, our mornings are extremely relaxed. We don’t want the boys excited when we leave for work. We go about our routine well… as routinely as possible. The boys know what to expect and they know not to get underfoot.

It’s important that they know to move when they’ve gotten in your way. Our boys have their “places” and should they choose to get up and in the way of what we’re doing, they run the risk of getting stepped on or walked into. I don’t physically move them, they move for me.

 Quote: Diane Martin

Also, he does not like to down for very long. I've been working with him to extend the down but when he breaks the down he will show aggression if when he refuses to down again and I try to place him in down posistion he will growl and fight me and snap at me.

When exactly is he showing this aggression towards you and how are you putting him back in the down? This type of aggression is usually caused when they don’t understand a correction or feel force is being applied unfairly.

How long is he downing for now and how long are you trying to extend it to? What are you doing while he’s in his down?

If he’s good for 2 minutes and you know that, I would be releasing and rewarding him before he has a chance to break it. Then I would slowly start to add duration. Add another 30 seconds, then release him for a treat or ball toss. Ask him for another down. Add another 30 seconds and so on. You’ll be up to 10 minutes in no time.

In the beginning stages, I’m also there with them the entire time. If I want 10 minutes, I’m prepared to stand there too. In front, behind them, off to the side and initially, they’re never released until I’ve walked back up right beside them. Then they’re to hold the down while I stand there, 5, 10, 30 seconds, whatever random interval I’ve chosen.

Once you know he’s capable of the duration and fully understands what you are asking him to do, (has done it at least 30 times) only then, should he break it, would I be prepared to apply some sort of correction (verbal) or physical direction to have him resume the position.

I’m no expert and I’m sure there are others who can explain this much better. These are simply things that have worked well for my pack.