Good dogs being bad :(

MSeel1984

So...I love my boxer. He's a sweetheart. But lately he's been acting off.

My husband left last Sunday to visit his grandma and won't be back until Saturday evening.

Since my husband left and I've been at work all day, my dog has pooped in the house four times and peed as well...he's getting into stuff which is usually his way of showing he's stressed out.

He's not alone more than he was when my husband was here so I honestly don't know what is going on with him.

Any advice?

coliema

I think he's stressed and having anxiety about your husband being gone. I'm not sure what you can do about it maybe play with him a little more than usual...I hate when dogs are stressed out, it's so sad.

agggie550

Go with the puppy trick ... does your boxer have a bed, put a peice of your husband clothing on it that smells like him, and just in my opinion not sure how much dogs remember but its hard to repremand them after that fact because unless you catch them in the act the dog probably wont understand what you are upset about and get even more stressed out. And a little extra attention, affection, and play time could never hurt. I mean my dogs are giant babys, and its an kind of flattering when you come home and they are all exciteda nd bouncing all over the place (wish the girl friend would act like that sometimes :P )

vim_n_vigor

Did you try getting him a new toy or special treat?

MSeel1984

Go with the puppy trick ... does your boxer have a bed, put a peice of your husband clothing on it that smells like him, and just in my opinion not sure how much dogs remember but its hard to repremand them after that fact because unless you catch them in the act the dog probably wont understand what you are upset about and get even more stressed out. And a little extra attention, affection, and play time could never hurt. I mean my dogs are giant babys, and its an kind of flattering when you come home and they are all exciteda nd bouncing all over the place (wish the girl friend would act like that sometimes :P )

Well when I have come home to him making a mess, he knows about it. I say his name firmly and lead him to the mess. He usually then runs into the room he knows we put him in for a few minutes when he does something bad. I usually put him in the office while I clean up the mess then let him out. This obviously isn't working. And I saw he went to the bathroom this morning before I left for work...I don't know what else to do. He used to hold it until I came home and let him out/fed him after work.

I feel bad because I can tell he's lonely but I have to go to work

MSeel1984

Did you try getting him a new toy or special treat?

I should try that...his stuffed lamb is falling apart...maybe something to keep him occupied/entertained. Thanks!

agggie550

Do you know anyone that lives close, that could come by at lunch, or do you live close to work, that you could run home at lunch and take him out, when i first moved back to Maryland, I would go home at lunch and let my dogs out, so they could get use to the routine. Like you said im sure alot of it is stressed induced from the change in your husband not being there, but maybe that break in the day could help.

ChunkieNuts

try a kong toy and stuff it with some treats or get a nice big bone he can get his teeth into all day...
i leave mine with a big bone and a limited amount of water so he doesnt pee all day

coliema

Do you turn the television or a radio on for him before you go to work? I turn the TV on in the living room and the radio on in the kitchen, so it's not dead silence in the house for my dog...I want to say that might help a little bit. The clothing thing might work as well, that was mentioned above because when I leave for work all my clothes are upstairs and when I get home my dog has dragged my sweatshirts down on the couch with him and my shoes and just sleeps on them.

baileysmom4

Maybe have a vet check him out. He could have a medical issue and that is why he can't hold it. My dog started pooping in the basement after we took him to a kennel that I don't think ever let him go outside. Now he associates the concrete floor with pooping! Gotta love 'em, huh? : )

ninjapixie87

I've been dealing with the same problem with one of my dogs since my husband has been traveling for work recently. But I've also been working long hours, so the dog is locked up more than normal. Plus, he doesn't cooperate with me as well as he does with the hubby.

I ended up taking him to doggie day care one day, and I think it saved my sanity. He loved it, and came home completely exhausted and didn't get into any trouble! Maybe you could see if there's something like that in your area. I also like the suggestion of finding soemthing that smells like your husband for him to sniff/snuggle with.

Pookylou

try a kong toy and stuff it with some treats or get a nice big bone he can get his teeth into all day...
i leave mine with a big bone and a limited amount of water so he doesnt pee all day

I have a Kong for my pooch and she loves it (and peanut butter!!). I have a friend who leaves the radio on for her dog (mine barks at the radio!). The smell idea is a great one, I may try it with my little dog too.

MSeel1984

These are great ideas. I will try the radio and the bone tomorrow to see if that helps.

I don't work close to where I live-it's about 20-30 minutes to get there and another 20-30 to get back or I would run home at lunch.

Maybe I'll take him for a good long walk tonight instead of going to the gym...he'd like that.

Itsallbs15

I go through the same thing with my three dogs. My husband is home all day as he is going to school but he went to Chicago for three weeks and I had some hell raisers on my hands. I am gone for approximately 12 hours a day as I have an hour commute to and from work. The new toys and stuff didn't work for them, the opted to eat my couch pillows instead. They decided my floor was the best place to pee and poop and that my carpets and blankets were for their personal use. The only way I found to combat that was to ensure they were outside for at least an hour before I went to work, feed them as soon as I got home, and make sure they were out for a good amount of time in the evening. I also blocked them from having full access to the house. I have a split level house and the upstairs is all hard wood. I blocked the stairs and shut the bedroom and bathroom doors so they could only go into the kitchen, living room and hall way. I also lef tthe radio on in the living room so that they weren't paranoid over the quiet. After doing all that as well as giving them some extra loving, they were fine and back to their normal loving selves. I feel your pain in dealing with a seperation anxiety ridden fur baby. I hope this helps. Good Luck

FitBeto

Buy him horse meat?

plynn54

my advice, he needs a buddy!! get another dog

kellehbeans

I had the same problem with my boyfriend's parents cats. One decided she would poop on the window sill, and she pooped uncontrollably. I think the best thing is just to give them fuss and just be gentle around him!

darrellhenderson

Try giving him extra long walks to work out some of that energy. When your husband is home does he usually walk him? Maybe that will help? Good luck!

poedunk65

He wants more attention and is acting out by doing that. He misses shis master. Play with him more.

FinallyDoingMe

sounds like separation anxiety...try giving him a shirt that belongs to your hubby and has his scent on it...can be a dirty shirt.
That helped a lot with our Husky

MSeel1984

So yesterday he did it again...before I went out with my friends, I took him out and made sure he pooped then put him inside.

He proceeded to pee in front of the couch.

Today I let him out twice and took him out front on a leash to try to get him to poop. he wouldn't do it.

I know I'll come home to another pile to clean up. It's getting really old. Can't wait for my husband to get home tonight...this needs to stop.

MSeel1984

my advice, he needs a buddy!! get another dog

I will make sure my husband sees this.

I've wanted to get another boxer to keep him company and give him someone to play with because I think that would help him SO much....I mean...this dog is an attention *kitten*...LoL if it's ok to use that phrase. You can't give him enough attention. You can pet him all day long and it's not enough...for two people with full time jobs it's hard to give him as much attention as he wants.

SassJess81

My only suggestions would be make sure there are no medical issues. Have you tried any brain games? In the dead of winter sometimes it's too cold to walk, so even doing a treat hide and seek is good, they can tire themselves out by using their noses. Also I have had some luck with herbal stuff, like Bach's Rescue Remedy. There are also calming treats you can get too. Good luck!

melaniecheeks

Please don't automatically get a second dog - 2 dogs are really really hard work - I find it just about impossible to walk my 2 at the same time.

What age is he?

MSeel1984

The only other thing that occurred to me is that his poop is more dry...almost grainy.

My husband switched us to a different kibble because it was cheaper but I think it may be causing intestinal problems for him.

_TEMPEST_

I feel your pain.
My boxer puppy is a really good girl, she's just...well...a boxer. Boxers never seem to "grow up", they are like perpetual toddlers. lol. One thing I have noticed about the breed, is that they thrive in pairs or in the pack. We also have an older basset hound and they would be lost without each other. I don't advocate getting a second dog just because of that, because it does create twice the work and expense, but it's something I have noticed.
Miss Daisy Mae loves to get into the hat and glove basket when we leave. She doesn't chew them, she just pulls them out and takes them to the couch or her bed. It's the smell of us on them that she comforts herself with when we are away.
Scent recognition is strong with them, try playing "brain games" (like hide and seek with toys or treats) and DEFINITELY physical exercise is KEY with boxers. If Miss Mae doesn't get out and run every day, she's like a shaken can of soda and will drive everyone crazy!

MSeel1984

Please don't automatically get a second dog - 2 dogs are really really hard work - I find it just about impossible to walk my 2 at the same time.

What age is he?

It's hard to be exact because he's a shelter dog and we're the third owners (first owner abused him and neglected him so he was sent to a shelter. Second owner is the one we adopted from. He didn't get along with the roommate's cat)

He's about 7 years old.

We've wanted another dog-but would only do it after we get our fence finished.

MSeel1984

OH. MY. GOSH!

I love boxers so much and you're right it really is a trait of the breed...He's definitely a puppy at heart.

We had always talked about getting another dog-we're just waiting until we're in the right financial place for it...we wouldn't want to be irresponsible and just get another dog...that's why we haven't done it just yet.

On a side note: Boxers really are the best-and yours is a cutie pie!

djc315

Well, two things....

If the food switch was recently, it could just be that the food isn't sitting with the pup. Since your husband comes home soon (right? is it another week? if it's NEXT weekend, then go ahead and switch the food back), I wouldn't switch the food until he gets back. Just so you don't mess up his pattern more.

Another thing, he is acting out because dad left. He misses him. I would agree with giving him something of your husbands that smells like him, a dirty shirt would work perfectly. You could give him a shirt of yours, too.

Do you find he is having his accidents in the places your husband normally hangs out?

Is there a way you could lock the pup in one room? I couldn't do that with my dog, she would chew her way out of it.

(the dog is fixed, right? I assume so but you never know. If he isn't, getting him fixed could help)

And I agree with you about taking him for a walk instead of your run...I would do that the entire time your husband is gone. Spend EXTRA time with the pup. When I first got my dog (who was also a rescue dog) she would go in the house NO MATTER WHAT and I read up a lot on it...what basically worked (because she was doing it out of separation anxiety) IGNORE the poop/pee when you walk into the house. Greet the pup first, give it love. THEN go to the mess. Don't punish the dog, it will just make it worse. Even if the pup runs into the other room, get down on your knees and call him over with love in your voice. He isn't pooping/peeing on purpose (as in, its the stress doing it not him just to be a bad dog..hes NOT a bad dog, you know that!). Once I "ignored" the mess and gave my pup attention, she did a quick 180 of messes in the house. Still had them every now and then, but not nearly as bad (and plus, she was a lot younger when I got her and was not potty trained)

MyChocolateDiet

Wait! Did this just turn into MF(dog)P?

_TEMPEST_

Boxers really are the best-and yours is a cutie pie!

Yes they are. We had a Rottie, too and he was an amazing guy. Love Rotts and Boxers!
And thanks, she is super sweet and definitely full of personality. Best!

edited for typo