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please help disciplinary problems with my year old boxer im fed up!?
ok about 4 months ago i adopted a boxer before his previous owners were able to take him into the shelter i need serious help because there's not to much of this we can take before i have to take him back ive tried the water bottle trick (spraying him in the face ) ..don't work .... ive tried sticking him outside... don't work ...... kennel... don't work.... leash ..don't work... rolled up newspaper ..don't work the main problem we see is he absolutely does not know dominancey AT ALL. he knows his basic commands but wont do them when hes in trouble. like when he shits and pisses on the floor(ive tried potty pads cant seem to get him to use them ) i tell him to go to his bed and lay down except he wont lay down instead he glares at me with a..... what ? type of look and when i try to force him down he does everything in his power to fight against me. for one hes potty trained except when the doors are closed( they stay open most of the day) and its like he don't know to let me know to go outside! please only post if you know what your talking about and your tips have actually worked!
PROBLEM 1
using the bathroom inside when the doors are closed
PROBLEM 2
literally jumping on the counters and eating things like knives and cups
PROBLEM 3
pulling at other animals AND PEOPLE when taking walks
PROBLEM 4
pooing on the concrete not the grass
please any real dog trainers i would love some input i am absolutly clueless ive taking these problems to my vet and hes givin me the previous solutions and they dont seem to work we also have a 4 year old husky and shes fully trained no problems from her even when she was a puppy SUPER SMART!! oh and i dont have the money to hire a trainer
sorry for the cursing!!
and isnt it basic knowledge for a dog not to use the bathroom where he eats well not mine almost everytime he uses it by his or on his food bowls
obviuolsy you havent payed attention to what im saying and no i dont hit him with the newspaper its for the loud noises and if your dumb**** hasnt listend this was all told to me to do by MY VETERANARIAN i would never take him to a pound what i meant is the rescue that was going to pick him and the other sick boxers up and thank you very much i take him on two walks a day once in the morning and once at night and theyre 45 minutes walks for u idiots not reading it through i dont beat or mistreat my dogs in any way and this website is for helping ppl not criticizing ppl
and i have anti pull harnesses and he can still pull like *****
10 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Oi, you have your hands full and this is a challenge when I can't be there to help you.
He doesn't take you seriously at all, he look at you and he doesn't know what you want from him at all. He is so hyper which Boxer breeds are that he needs so bad to get all that energy out before you can train him at all. Hyper active brain won't listen at all.
Take him for a run or a bike ride where he has to run so much to drain all that energy then you can start training him.
When you correct him use your hand like a bite but it has to be fast and just a tap with your finger by the ribs or on his chest. It just one way to snap him out.
By the door when you go out, you have to go out first then he can go. Don't give up.
Position matters. Walking in front allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.
Use a short leash. This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog
Set aside time. Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ. Consult your vet and keep an eye on your dog's behavior to see if his needs are being met.
Define exploration time. After your dog has maintained the proper state of mind, reward him by allowing him to relieve himself and sniff around. Then you need to decide when reward time is over. It should always be less than the time spent focused on the walk.
Don't punch out. When you get home, don't stop leading. Have your dog wait patiently while you put away his leash or take off your shoes.
Share food and water.By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to "work" for food and water
Peeing and pooping on the concrete just pick the poop up and put in the grass then he will smell it and he will start going there. Well you can try, I did that and it worked.
Jumping on the table then again he shows that he doesn't respect you at all (sorry) but instead of screaming his name or hit with the newspapers then go over there with strong leader energy pull him down from the table and claim the table that is yours. So now every time you see him close the table then snap your fingers and go in between the table and him and snap you finger and point the way you want him to go. Don't talk to him, just show with your body language what you want him to do. He understand that more then your words. Stay calm when you do this because the dog won't follow you if you are frustrated or angry.
When he does something wrong don't use his name but eh or shh, because you want his name to mean come and something good.
Yes your other dog is good and smart but all dogs are different:) I know:)
Best of luck.
- ?Lv 71 decade ago
1.) Take him outside more often. Start every hour. Time to housetrain from the beginning. Every hour, first thing in the morning, first thing before bed. Each time you take him out take him for a brisk walk around the yard or, preferably, around the block. Walking stimulates the bowel/urge to poop as well as the urge to mark, meaning a brisk, 10 minute walk will probably see him emptying himself out. If you catch him in the act going inside clap your hands and firmly tell him "no!" then take him outside. Praise the crap out of him when he finishes outside. If you do not catch him literally in the act don't waste your time, he won't be able to match punishment to crime. Yes, dogs really are that stupid. Clean up indoor accidents thoroughly then blot generously with distilled white vinegar and let it evaporate on its own. It will break down the scent of his urine and feces so he cannot smell it there anymore. If he can smell it, he'll feel urged to go there again.
2.) Booby trap counters. Mouse traps work nicely. Hide them underneath napkins. Buy tons of them. They don't hurt, you can try it for yourself. Mouse traps, not the bigger ones for rats. Little, gentle, snappy mouse traps should make the counter a pretty uninviting place when all it does is pinch and snap at him.
3.) Get a referral for an obedience trainer/behaviorist through your vet. Have this trainer show you how to properly fit and use a prong collar. It does not hurt, it is not some cruel torture device. Seriously, put it around your arm and give a firm, fluid tug, not a hard yank. Doesn't hurt. The "teeth" mimic dog teeth. Ever watch two dogs interact where one is getting fed up with the other dog's bullcrap? Notice how they snap and nip? That's what the prong imitates and it tells the dog "stop it, you're getting on my nerves." The prong collar is based on some of the most basic canine communication, that is why it is effective. The dog will likely only have to self correct once or twice before he gets the hint and stops.
4.) Take him out on a leash for the next few weeks. Bleach the concrete to eliminate the scent he left behind. Take him, on leash, to the area you want him to go and praise him for going there. Develop a habit and it will generally stick.
5.) This dog probably needs more exercise. This is a high energy breed. Take him for two brisk 30 minute walks every single day and I bet you'll see a more cooperative dog.
6.) Google NILIF training and Small Dog Syndrome for further insight.
7.) Find a real, competent, well-rounded trainer. Not a petco trainer, and avoid any trainer that tells you prong or shock collars are cruel. Such trainers do not know what they are talking about and often use a "one size fits all" approach, which may not fit your dog. ;)
[Add] Also, google Crate Training and get him an appropriately sized crate. Crate him when you cannot watch him like a hawk, such as when you are asleep or at work. If you can't watch him like a hawk but would like to have some control over him or avoid over-crating him consider leashing him to a belt loop on your pants. Never, ever use a crate as punishment. Also, a previous suggestion about a feeding and watering schedule is a good idea for a dog that has unreliable house training. This way you can predict when he will have to go (within 30 minutes of eating or drinking) and get him out before he goes inside.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
First piece of advice is to calm down. I know to have a dog that is not disciplined can be very stressful, but it only worsens your situation. I have two dogs that had very similar traits, and it took a LOT of patience. Here are some pointers
For Problem #1
1) Cage Training: Buy a cage for the house. Keep him in there at night, and if he stays in the house when you are gone, then place him in there then as well. Dogs generally do not like to sleep in their feces so this is a great way of training, and even is he does make a mistake, the mess is fairly easy to clean, and your carpets don't have to withstand the damage.
2) Doggy Doors: Since your dog is not good at giving you the message its time to go out, give him access to his "potty area" when he is out his cage.
Problem #2
1) Sorry, but there really is nothing you can do to train your dog on this one. You can scold him, but he will attempt it once you are out of sight. Your best bet is to remove the knives, and cups from the counter, and place them somewhere out of reach, such as cabinets.
Problem #3
1) Show dominance. When your dog begins begins pulling change direction. The point in this is to show you are in control, and he needs to pay attention to you. Keep changing direction, and eventually his curiosity will be about where you are going.
Problem #4
1) On a leash, take him to the grass, and wait for him to use the restroom (this may take a while). Afterwards praise him. Let him know that you like him using the restroom in certain places. All these steps require consistancy. At all times you must be able to correct him accordingly, as calmly as possible.
Wish you luck! DONT FORGET TO BREATHE
Source(s): I have two of those chumps. - 1 decade ago
Problem 1: keep your dog on a schedule. Bathroom first thing in the AM, eat a meal (DO NOT FREE FEED OR WATER). Bathroom shortly after. Always let out before and after meals. Let out every 4 hours or so. When he does have an accident, DON'T SAY A WORD! Calmly clean it up. Some dogs want attention, even negitive attention. Don't give him any. Let him out. When he goes outside PRAISE AND REWARD. Treats and hugs. This also works with the not going in the grass problem. Ignore him on cement, praise on grass (every time until he is consistantly doing for a month... then you can taper down)
Problem 2: same idea. But let's back track some. Spend time daily, about 10 minutes or so doing a fun training session. You can look up basic positive training methods online. Teach down and make sure its consistant. Once he knows it, if he jumps up, give a quick AH! Or NO! And give the down comand. Once down praise and reward. Everytime he's in there and DOESN'T jump, praise and reward. Eventually he'll get that staying down gets more attention. Reframe from showing frustration, yelling or negitive based training. It all gives attention of the dog, who is seeking attention.
Problem 3: this ones trickier. First you need to teach him to walk proper and focus on you. You can find this in any book/site with positive reinforcement training. Next you need to train him to sit for attention from people, not tug and jump.
My main suggestion is look into possitive reinforcement training. Boxers are a bully breed and naturally want to dominate, yet they are incredibly sensitive to negitivity. If you yell they literally shut down (the "what?" Stare). They learn and react best with patience and praise.
Good luck!
Source(s): Working with animals (especially bully breeds) 10+ years - Anonymous1 decade ago
Oh boy...Okay, This sounds like he is the alpha. All of the tricks you tried will not work, ever. He doesn't understand what you are trying to communicate to him. I know you are frustrated as hell, but truly, the best thing you can do is to train yourself to remain calm around him at all times. Then you need to exercise the hell out of him. Then you need to start teaching him the very basics of obedience. Is he neutered? Clearly, his previous owners did not train him whatsoever. It's up to you if you want to put the work into him at this point. Certainly, he is intelligent and able to learn easily. You just need to decide if you want to put the work in. The problems you listed above are all indicators of a dominant dog. You can change that, however. Everything you do, should you decide to tackle this, is going to be a lesson learned for him, everything. After he eats, take him out on leash and direct him to only where you want him to eliminate. Then praise him. Use a single word that he can associate with each action. Don't allow him in the kitchen anymore. When you are home, keep him by your side at all times (until he's trained). Every time he steps into the kitchen, place your body in front of him, full frontal position. Walk towards him until he backs up. Once he's where you want him, turn and walk back into the kitchen. When he tries again to go in, repeat what you did. It takes approx. 20 attempts at a skill before most does learn what you want. Expect to be frustrated, but do not let it show. Force yourself to calm down. When you aren't there, you will need to either kennel him or put up a child gate to keep him out. Getting on the counters, that's him, the alpha, doing what he wants, taking what he wants. Again, this comes down to you being able to communicate to him what is okay and what is not. As far as he is concerned, you sound like the teacher on Charlie Brown. Wah wah wah wah. He has no idea what you are doing or saying. So you have to teach him. The pulling on leash is the same thing. If you can find a safe place to turn him loose to burn off some energy, this would be good. Boxers have sooo much energy. Then, everytime he pulls on the leash, you simply stop. Once he relaxes the tension on the leash, take your next step. But expect he will pull every single time until he understands what you are asking of him. You have to be in control every moment, in control of him and yourself. You must remain calm and be consistent. He should pick everything up quickly, but you cannot slack on anything or he will certain take advantage of it. You will then be finding yourself back where you are now.
1. Exercise daily
2. Teach basic obedience. Sit, stay, wait, come, touch, down, etc.
3. Teach him your boundaries. What is he NOT okay to do, poop in house, counters, pulling, etc.
Be patient and keep him busy, both mind and body. And if you find that you really can't handle the situation, call boxer rescues.
The poop by the food thing...most dogs know this instinctually, but it's not a given that every dog will. It could be him designating his food place by marking it with his urine or feces. I hope this helps.
Source(s): Me. Canine Behaviorist and Emergency Animal Medical Technician - Anonymous1 decade ago
Hey I see you need some sort of guide that will give you tips and tricks to help your dog become fully trained and more healthy. Recently one of my friends really needed some advice on how to train his dog. He followed the dog training course to successfully have a full trained dog in a few weeks.
- 1 decade ago
Wow. It sounds like at this point the dog should be taken to the shelter. You have NO idea what you are doing, and this dog deserves a good home.
All of this is due to lack of competency on YOUR part, not the dogs. You can't train the poor thing, and all you're doing is punishing him when he doesn't know any better!
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Howdy, I can see that you need some sort of guide that'll give you tips and tricks to help your dog become fully trained and more healthy. Recently one of my friends really needed some advice on how to train his dog. He followed the dog training academy course to successfully have his dog fully trained in a few weeks.
- RodiKenleyLv 61 decade ago
You're bad to him/her. Totally bad!! Take him out for walks at least. When bored, they'll do whatever they want. And when they look at you like: huh? Go to him and show him in a sweet way, teaching him lots of new words, and use your voice accordingly. No dog can know more at this age than a 1 year old.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Hi i heard that you are looking for a guide to help your dog grow healthy and strong,my friend was looking for the same thing too,so i recomended the dog training masters home study course for him . now hes happy coz he took the course and his dog has now grown up healthy and strong.
Best regards!