I need help! Between my daugthter and my dog, I'm going crazy. I have a 2 year old Boxer who get's into ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he can get his paws on. He's fine when my husband is home (doesn't chew up much and usually sticks to his own toys) but as soon as my husband leaves, it's like a free-for-all! I'm so tired of yelling at him that now he spends most of the day in his crate when I'm home alone. I don't like doing it but I'm trying to keep my sanity. Unfortunately my 18 mo daughter is starting to pick up on some of the bad stuff I say to the dog and I don't like that either. She's constantly yelling at him because I do. I give him pleanty of attention and he does get play time so I don't think he's bored. I just don't think he respects me as a leader. I've tried the basics like making him sit and wait for his food, sitting and waiting for me to go outside first, not letting him be on top during play...etc., none of that seems to be working. We don't have the money to bring him to a trainer for leadership issues. Any advice on how to control my dog when my husband isn't around?
Thanks for your advice everyone. I have a few options to discuss with my husband. In the mean time. I do need to remember to puppy proof my house! I blame a lot of things on the dog but some of it is my fault for leaving things in his reach. Thanks for reminding me!
I too have a boxer but he is only 6 months and gets into everything even though he has plenty of toys. I give him lots of rawhide and that seems to occupy him the best. How about a Kong - the toy you fill with treats? They have to work at getting the treats out. I also agree he probably needs to get some walk time.
Hi, I have two labs and a 19 month old. I have read alot of books about dog behavior and have done all my own training on my well behaved dogs. I am also an advide fan of the dog whisper and his books. I would try taking him for walks and get him outside. If that doesn't work then try a tredmill. Main thing is get the energy out of your dog before you try to work with him and with dicipline. Main thing is remember that he is a dog (animal) first before a member of the family. this coming from a person that spoils her dogs rotten but they do get bored during the winter. I would recommend watching the dog whisper too on the national geographic channel for some basic insight. sounds like you know basic dog dominance. Also just be calm and assertive. Dogs feed off energy and if you get mad and angry even though you don't express it verbally, they sense it and they react. If he behaves when your husband is home, this is probably what is happening. the dog senses you are tense and just reacts to it, when your calm husband comes home, he behave. Also if your child get wound up the dog may feed off that too. Just claim your space, i.e. stuff he chews, don't let him claim it.Hope this helps a little. I am no expert by any means but this is just stuff I have picked up and most of it seemed to work for me. My black lab used to attacked other dogs and I cured him of that.
It sounds like your dog is bored and has some built up energy. I have a lab mix that is very high energy(still at 5yrs) If I don't walk her everyday, which is very hard to do and usually don't, she gets into stuff. I would recommend exercising your dogs everyday so they don't have built up energy. I know it's hard to do especially when it's cold, and with a little one. Otherwise dog-proof your house. We have made it a habit of shutting all the doors, putting up the garbages and putting away anything that might be fun to tear up. Yeah I am sure there is a better way to deal with things but honestly I don't have the time or the energy to train a dog either. Good Luck.
I can ask my husband more about this later. My husband had a boxer for many years and he still is a wonderful and obedient dog, even with me. The first thing he did was roll him over on his back, sit on his chest and make him stare at him. This is a strong sign of dominance. Your dog will fight you, but grab the head and make them look at you in the eye. If you want more information I can get him to tell you the other things he's done with him. He doesn't tear things apart anymore and he no longer gets in the garbage. He's like the Boxer Whisperer =) Good luck in the mean time, boxers really are good dogs.
Hi J.
How frustrating!! I know exactly how you feel we have a dog that did the same thing. We have a leash on our couch one in the dining room and one in the kitchen. so he can be with the family but able to be supervised at all times and when he is chewing on toys we say no and give him his toy. hope this helps good luck. T.
I agree that you should take your dog to obedience training. Go just the two of you so he learns that you're boss. I'm not sure where you're located, but I have used Total Recall School for Dogs in Hugo and really liked it:
I am not sure how your home is set up, but I would invest in a walk through gate and have a safe area for you dog. Eliminate the issues that frustrate you. We went through this with your yellow lab who is now 4. He got in the garbage, the fridge, toys.. etc. So, the garbage got locked in a closet, the fridge got a lock, and two gates went up that allows our dog to roam from the family room, laundry room, and kitchen. All of the kids stuff is not accessible and it really makes me be sure to keep everything that he will get in picked up and put away. It is like he ignores me at times because my husband is the master. My friends laugh that I talk to him like a kid, saying your grounded!! It is frustrating, but I realized I needed to be more proactive.
Hopefully this will cut down your language, and then help your daughter too.
Good luck!!
J.
I would suggest taking him to an obedience class. Even if he might know all the commands. My husband took our dog to class and he will only listen to him. I am going to be going to a community ed class with him just to refresh and show that I am alpha.
