Problem Prevention
If you got your boxer as a little pup, problem prevention is made up of consistent lessons over time and training your boxer to learn all the things that a good boxer needs to know. Your boxer has been around other dogs enough that he knows he needn't defend whatever territory he's on and how to get along well with people. He is socialized. This is the best problem-prevention tool you can give any dog.
Warning Signs
If you see your dog being a little too pushy or aggressive around other puppies or in some of his other training classes, this is the time to correct him by giving him his “No bad looks” education and distracting him by getting him to focus on you. Remember that once you have broken the hard stare of a dog, you have defused about 75 percent of the problem of a challenge. However, if he is still not responding, then it is time to do a very alpha thing. Put your hand over his muzzle (like the letter U) and tell him to knock it off in a very strong voice, usually using the command “No” or “Leave it.”
This maneuver is usually effective in asserting dominance, since you are doing it from a dominant position over and above his head, and you will get through to him. Hopefully, he will understand that hard stares are unacceptable to you as his pack leader, and he will knock it off. If he tries to get his muzzle out from under your hand, or snaps or even fake snaps at you, your boxer needs to go back to doggy boot camp and get on the NILIF (“nothing in life is free”) training program.
“Nothing in Life Is Free,” or NILIF, means that your boxer must work for every bit of food, attention, love or affection that he gets. He must sit, down, or both at your command and do it quickly. He understands commands and control by now, and he will respect that you have taken control of the situation. Unlike humans, who would rather fight over issues of dominance, your strong leadership will probably be reassuring to him. It tells him that someone is in charge (not him) and that he doesn't have to run things. Dogs like to know who is in charge.
This is a serious wake-up call to you that your boxer is not respecting your authority as the pack leader. Whether this is due to lack of adequate training, lack of adequate socialization, or simply an end run on his part to see if he can move up the alpha dog ladder makes no difference. Any time you see even the beginning of any behavioral problem, you need to go back to training the basics and training extensively.
What's the Cause?
If bad behavior is an issue that you really have not seen coming, have your boxer checked out by your vet to make sure there are no underlying health problems that may be causing a defensive reaction in his behavior. On the other hand, if this is a problem in your home, say with the children teasing or trying to pull a hiding boxer out from under the bed when he no longer wanted to play, and he snapped or even bit, you need to get back to training your family on how to live with and respect a canine. Although boxers are very good with children, you can hardly expect any canine to put up with abuse and teasing.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Started in 1989, the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is a certification program designed to reward dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. The CGC is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs that pass the ten-step CGC test receive a certificate from the AKC. Any good boxer can pass if he has had all the lessons and training in how to be a good dog. (See Chapter 18 for a full discussion of the CGC test.)
Many dog owners choose CGC training as the first step in training their dogs. The program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as rally, obedience, agility, tracking, and other performance events. As you work with your boxer to teach him CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training.
