What kind of dog is that?

You're both right.  I understand if people aren't "dog people" but it irritates me when people make assumptions about animals in general without knowledge.  We haven't really had the opportunity to take him out in public much except in our vehicle or on walks where we really don't pass many.  I agree there are breeds that are known for aggressiveness, but that is generalizing each and every one that falls under that breed.  I have never once heard anyone complain of an aggressive boxer.  I am not 100% innocent of being leary of certain breeds.  More with my children than myself, but not to the point I feel rude.  I guess what I was most insulted about was it wasn't just standing where they were and ignoring Jaxon, but that they actually felt the need to move away from where they were, like I didn't have control of him.  I even knelt down with him so that he didn't pull to get to closer to anyone.  He never barked, he pulled on the leash a little and wagged his tail as fast as he could.

Yup...I hear you...knowing what our family members have been through over the years(from neighbors freaking out over the "mean sound" of Janies boxers playing on the other side of a very tall solid fence to a neighbor kid who likes to tease Jackson and Haley through their chain link fence and then neighbors blame the dogs for barking!) we are extremely careful...we have done all we can to socialize them...and they are doing SO well...we can be passing other dogs on our walking trail and all I have to say is "No...quiet!" and they stay quiet and relatively calm(Indy's hackles go up if you play with him...so he does that...but, he's quiet and doesn't lunge) we are still working on "no jumping" we try to make them sit before allowing people to approach...and today when I saw a group of little girls streaking across the park screaming "PUPPIES" I made a beeline for the van, because I do NOT need someone to appear aggressive or confusing and then have my boys blamed for getting excited...I got asked quite often if Mic was a pit bull...we even had people who recognized that Indy was a Boxer and still thought Mic was a pit...I confess, pits make me nervous ...it's an involuntary reflex as I personally know a young girl who was attacked by a pit bull last Fall...the dog latched onto her head, part of her face and would NOT let go...she was playing in HER front yard...thank God she left emergency with stitches and not much else...except nightmares...anyway, I believe in my heart of hearts that there are pits raised well and properly trained who do just fine...yet, I confess, it bothers me if someone thinks he is a pit...I guess it's just because I don't want them to make assumptions and be oversensitive when he is around...the whole self-fulfilling prophecy thing...

Blah! I sure won't let me make me quit taking them out...most people just tell me they are beautiful!

See, you get offended when people are scared of your dog.  I want people to be afraid of mine.  I wish I could teach him to snarl at people and show his teeth, but he'd probably do his kidney bean wiggle even if a burglar broke into the house, maybe that'd scare them off.  Maybe one good bark, but from that point on, nothing but love.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it.  I learned something when I was an assistant manager at a retail sales job for 3 years...and it's something that just won't ever change...9 out of 10 people are just plain stupid and ignorant.

Don't let their ignorance get to you.

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That being said, I don't think I'd take any dog over to someone who's afraid of it.  Just yesterday, I was out working at a customer's house...and met the biggest lab across the street, friendliest dog ever.  When the UPS guy came up, he got afraid, and the dog just went into attack mode or something...try it on your boxer, next time you're outside, walk up to them, wait for eye contact, then pretend you're afraid, my little guy gets jacked.

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Besides...anyone who's afraid of a 14-week old puppy is probably an idiot to begin with (barring some children obviously).  And anyone who lets their child be afraid of a 14-week old puppy is also probably an idiot.

I do really feel it's a great idea to get them out and socialize, especially at an early age. I don't see any problem taking him up to the elementary school. We take Debo and our other puppy (bullmastiff) up to the school, and wait across the street. I understand some people may be "nervous" even though he's the happiest, most excited and lovable dog ever, but his ocassional jumping up or wanting to, what looks like pounce, can make some people a tad nervous, and I understand that. I do think the more you do it, the more they get used to being around alot of people, sounds, childrent etc. Debo gets better each time. We just make sure he's secure on the leash and he has to SIT when kids walk by. We just keep encouraging him to sit and not lunge out (in an excited way) like he used to. We may get looks, but I don't pay attention to it. Most of the kids and actually parents are happy to see the puppies, for those that aren't, I guess you have your right to walk on the other side. That's fine with me! But they will eventually see that he means no harm and he's not a danger!

deapea:

From a trainer/behaviorist point of view:

Wanting your dog to appear or actually be agressive is a really bad idea!!!  Irregardless of whether your dog loves ppl or not, your dog will pick up on your vibes and can become that way.  Unless your are an experienced handler of a dog of this nature...you're opening up a can of worms you may have trouble getting closed again.  Boxers don't do well in that kind of situation largely because it goes against their very nature.

If you give him plenty of love (i know your doing this...another spoiled furkid im sure...lol) and keep him as an inside dog (again....im sure your doing this as well) then he will be perfectly protective of your family and home...  Boxers make great family dogs because they are naturally somewhat suspicious of strangers and love their families enough to lay their life down for them (dont be fooled by the wiggle...its there...trust me) and will protect their family when it needs to happen...They don't do it unless there is a good reason...this is one of the wonderful breed traits...

That being said...

enjoy!!!

**this response was not meant to agree or disagree with anyone or start a fight or debate...just an FYI...

I took him with me this morning and a woman actually stopped me and asked if our dogs could "get acquainted".  It was the total opposite of yesterday and very much encouraged.  She told me her dog was a chocolate lab, but I'd guess it's a mix between a chocolate lab and maybe a beage.  It had a very pretty chocolate coat, but the white and brown markings on the face and legs of a beagle.  Anyhow..she was explaining to me that her dog was 5 months old and was extremely shy so she appreciated anyone who would let their dog socialize with him.  He's 5 months old and smaller than Jaxon.  Jaxon of course was ready to play and pawing at him.  Poor little guy didn't know what to do, but oh my he had the cutest face!  She walks him purposely right before school and right when school is letting out so that he is around people.  I let her know that Jaxon or Bayla will be coming with me both times.  Both will once Jaxon gets the hang of being around strangers more.  Right now he's just so darn excited so to take both (along with my 1st grader son) would be a little bit of a handful.  Like I said I completely understand if someone is fearful of dogs, but the people who moved were not close to me at all.  Jaxon could not have reached them if his leash was 15 feet long.  Having Bayla for the last 9 years and being used to people just assuming she was friendly (which she is), I'm just in a new terrority.