He is an 8.5 year old mix breed (allegedly boxer and American bulldog) that has always been protective of the door to the house (goes ape shit when someone knocks or rings the bell). However once inside the butt wagging and begging for attention begins. Has never harmed anyone or other animals (is fine with the cat and our other dog). Let’s kids do anything they want to him.

But, he seems to be getting progressively more intense. Any noise outside, or if he sees someone walking down the street causes him to go absolutely crazy... barking, hair standing straight up, etc. he also now will push out the door if given the opportunity, and if sees someone or another animal. Again he has never hurt anyone or anything but he is big (110 lbs), scares the shit out of anyone that comes to the door or happens to be walking by when he is able to get through the door.

Is there anything that break this behavior? Does he need to go live his remaining days in the country where he doesn’t have the stimulus?

I'm not into dogs, but it sounds like either he's bored, or there's an age-related issue.

Any changes around home? Kids grown and moving out, longer school days, etc? Change in playtime?

If you can't put your finger on it, then a trip to the Vet is next.

If I had a dog that behaved that way, I'd be concerned about early dementia, or possibly even a brain tumor. You said the behavior is getting worse. I'd get that dog to a good vet ASAP.

You need to make him understand his action is undesirable, ie make a correction when he does it.

There are a number of ways to do it and consistency is the key.

When my dogs are outside, off lead, they have electronic collars on them (big dogs, 155 & 175lb Great Danes), but I rarely need to 'shock them', I use the tone sound or vibration and they know they need to come back, stop what they are doing, etc.

At times the larger of mine had some issues indoors and I would keep the collar on him to be able to vibrate the correction.

The biggest thing you have to train him to do is NOT go apeshit at the front door, but that will take some time and effort on your part to correct - but it's doable, because you just have to change his mind and give him an incentive to NOT do it. Treats are a good positive correction as well when he does what he is told (ie, lay down and don't bark when someone comes to the door, etc).

Boxers do have a propensity for developing brain tumors. Para's suggestion to have a vet check him is a good one. Development of a tumor can lead to aggressive behavior and he sounds like a big guy who could potentially harm someone.

Best of luck,

Mike

As dogs get older they get more territorial and their territory extends further out. Here are the stages I have seen in my dogs:

1. Barking at someone at door/puppy.

2. Barking at someone in front yard/young adult.

3. Barking as someone walking on my side of the street/adult.

4. Barking as someone walks on the other side of the street/older adult.

5. Barking at anyone considering walking down my dog's street/senior.

Correct the lunging and uncontrolled barking with an immediate correction now. Use crate for time outs. Use treats and toys for positive training. Do it right in front of the window with people walking down street. Show the dog even at his age, there must be acceptable behavior. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.......treats really help.

Thyroid issues can also cause aggression. No harm in having the vet look into possible medical causes.

Assuming he checks out medically, as already mentioned, disagree with the unwanted behavior, and reward wanted behavior. I like an unpleasant sounding "unh uh!" type sound, and would use body blocking to slowly drive him away form the door/window, and have a leash on him, too. It can help to have a "place" for him, such as a specific bed, where's he's expected to go after he's given a bark or two to alert the humans to presences outside the home. He should get on the bed, go into a relaxed state, and get calm praise and a prized treat.

I would urge not to use harsh corrections/pain unless other methods fail. Introducing discomfort/pain to an already agitated dog can make matters worse, and cause them to instinctively exhibit "redirected aggression," i.e., turn and snap at you.

One of the great things about working with dogs, is often you can create and repeat scenarios over and over in short succession to change their behavior. Don't wait for these incidents to naturally happen. Have someone outside making noise, ringing the doorbell, etc., to trigger the behavior so that you can disagree with the unwanted behavior, and reward the wanted behavior.

As newtoSig765 mentioned, boredom can also be a cause of this behavior. Most dogs need to feel like they have a purpose in life. If you don't give them one, such as exploring the world via walks, doing obedience or other tasks for rewards, they may create one. If your dog doesn't have acceptable ways to expend his physical and mental energy, he may be creating an unacceptable one.

All these things being said, a 110 lb. American Bulldog/Boxer mix is no joke. If you're not comfortable/don't think you're getting a handle on things, hire a reputable trainer or behaviorist who, IMO, focuses on reward-based training more so than corrections. I'm not opposed to some physical corrections, just not a fan of using them as the primary training method, especially if the dog responds well to rewards.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rusbro,

It is easier to demonstrate or explain training techniques in person or verbally than through messaging. If you would like, email me (in profile) and I can send you my phone #. I would be more than willing to share the techniques I have used.

Don't laugh but I recall more than one episode of Cesar Millan dealing with a similar issue. You might be able to find the episode available on DirecTv On Demand or within his books.

We have had 4 Rotties. They can be strong willed and stubborn. All had professional training but still had some aggravating issues. We were able to use the techniques we saw on his tv show to eliminate the issues.

You need to be calm and assertive. Trying to overpower a big dog doesn't work.

Who is the Alpha dog in your pack? He needs firm, frequent reminding that YOU are.

If he doesn’t SEE it and KNOW it from your actions, his instinct is to step up to the job.

You teach and train your dog every day.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris42,

Have his eyes checked....if he is losing vision he could be hyper sensitive to noises because he cannot see as well.

Add me to the "get him checked" group. If it is health issue, trying to modify behavior would be confusing to the dog, and troubling for you.

Get a vet checkup, then go from there

Et check and behaviorist. Consider barring him from the front entrance for the time being (doggy gate, kennel, etc). He is doing his job, but it should be at your behest.. the level it is done at as well.
Desensitization may be in order of he checks out healthy.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
Who is the Alpha dog in your pack? He needs firm, frequent reminding that YOU are.

If he doesn’t SEE it and KNOW it from your actions, his instinct is to step up to the job.

You teach and train your dog every day, either by intent or neglect.

+1. I make my Danes do things just to exercise / reinforce the Alpha role - not that they really need it, but continual obedience in the home will allow continual obedience when you really need it.

To the OP, my Danes bark at the front door, but if I open it and tell them to stay (and leave it open), the won't come out until they are told it's ok. And in the rare instance one of them breaks and moves / steps outside without that, all it takes is a correction and they go back inside.

I'm a firm believer that large powerful animals must be ruled and know their place, otherwise they'll try to make you know your place when they think they are Alpha.

We had a trainer come to our home and get us started with some basic things for our 2 Daschunds. They are 3 yr old brothers, we should have done it long ago. They are much better dogs, they have taken to the discipline well. Pinch collars for walking outside, and inside training. Electronic bark collars- which are very effective at silencing them from barking at bicycle riders,walkers, deer, the garbage trucks, etc.
If he’s not a dangerous dog, I would recommend it.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
If I had a dog that behaved that way, I'd be concerned about early dementia, or possibly even a brain tumor. You said the behavior is getting worse. I'd get that dog to a good vet ASAP.

This. Rule out any medical issue first. At his age, it's a possibility.

Vet appointment is made.

I certainly don’t claim to be a dog trainer but I have had dogs (usually multiples) my whole life and they have always been well behaved. He knows who the alpha of the house is and he knows what he is doing is wrong... but even with correction he can’t / doesn’t stop (results in him getting kenneled) and it is noticeably getting worse. The pushing out the door cannot be accepted or allowed to continue. Though I don’t really think he would ever cause harm, he is big enough to.

Good job getting him to a vet. I think Para is not off base, and you certainly want to rule it out. It happened to my parents dog. In my own experience I had one that started being like that as he was going blind. Another as he was going deaf. So it might not be a brain tumor! Let's pray it isn't. That was a terrible way for my parent's dog to go. Let us know!

quote:

Originally posted by Kevmo:
Have his eyes checked....if he is losing vision he could be hyper sensitive to noises because he cannot see as well.

This.

One of my Airedales has been losing eyesight slowly over the last few years.She is more farsighted. She has gotten much worse when she senses movement but can't really detect it.
With something near she over compensates and gets very aggressive.