Good dogs being bad :(

2»

Replies

  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Well done on giving him a loving forever home!
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    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)

    So our doggie is fixed. He seemed much happier Saturday and Sunday when my husband got home. I spent all day cuddling with him yesterday...going to take him for a good walk after work.

    On another note, my hubby finally gave me the go-ahead to get his little brother. We've wanted to for some time, but both of us have picked up part time work and that will help me pay for it-then Booker will have a play mate.

    On an un-related topic: I'm getting mixed info about if we should get another male dog or if we should get a female...thoughts?
  • Richie2shoes
    Richie2shoes Posts: 411 Member
    Why not crate train him? We crate trained all our dogs without issues. After about a year we were able to leave our beagle roam free. Our 2nd dog we let roam free after about a year, but then a year into that she started getting destructive, so she went back to the crate. After that, we just decided to keep the 3rd dog in the crate. They all know the procedure, when we put our shoes on, each of them runs to their crate to wait for their treat, and immediately they lay down to sleep. Each dog is fed in their crate, although the door is kept open at feeding time and each dog will occasionally go and nap in their crate even when we are home.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Defintiely go for different genders. 2 males will constantly be in competition to see which can be the alpha male. Will they both be neutered?

    And I second the crate training suggestion.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Defintiely go for different genders. 2 males will constantly be in competition to see which can be the alpha male. Will they both be neutered?

    And I second the crate training suggestion.

    We are definitely going to crate train the new dog...I'm just wondering if Booker isn't too old for that. He's 7-8 years old (he's a shelter dog so we're not exactly sure of his age).

    I kind of figured with the two male thing...my friend growing up had two male boxers and they got along great-they would both be fixed. Booker is already fixed.
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    def. separation anxiety.
    No dog is too old for crate training. make it positive. Treats when he's in there and play as SOON as he comes out. short bursts of time in the crate.

    He may need more play time too. I notice if I have a week that I'm really busy and out of the house a lot the dog will get into more stuff, like the bins, recycling etc, even the bathroom trash can, when she usually doesn't when I'm home more and able to play more... they need to burn off all that energy.

    good luck!
  • themanda04
    themanda04 Posts: 60 Member
    Why not crate train him? We crate trained all our dogs without issues. After about a year we were able to leave our beagle roam free. Our 2nd dog we let roam free after about a year, but then a year into that she started getting destructive, so she went back to the crate. After that, we just decided to keep the 3rd dog in the crate. They all know the procedure, when we put our shoes on, each of them runs to their crate to wait for their treat, and immediately they lay down to sleep. Each dog is fed in their crate, although the door is kept open at feeding time and each dog will occasionally go and nap in their crate even when we are home.

    this...a thousand times this. crate training is a wonderful thing to do for your dogs. it's not cruel or mean in any way...all of my dogs adore their crates. it's like a cozy little den for them, an area that is just for them where they can stash their treasures and go to feel safe. people have a lot of misconceptions about crate training dogs. it keeps them out of trouble when you can't be there to supervise, and it gives them a profound sense of comfort. for reals. :)
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    Those dang square headed babies. He's sad that Dad is gone. Give him some extra love and cuddles and maybe some walks and be glad your man returns in 5 days :) He's stressed that he's the alfa male now lol
  • josavage
    josavage Posts: 472 Member
    I foster for a rescue group and my male dog is never a problem with the fosters - it's always my female. If your boxer is an alpha, don't get another alpha. That's the most important thing. Make sure your boxer meets the dog you are considering and that they get along.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Well my dog is in NO WAY an alpha. LoL...an alpha marshmallow maybe, but when he has been around other dogs, they push him around.

    He'd be meeting a puppy, not a full grown dog, but I do think that may be a good idea to bring him along.
  • Penny427
    Penny427 Posts: 166 Member
    My boxer is just a dumb@$$, I left for 2 hours last night and came home to a box of tissues shredded all over the floor. :angry:
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    My boxer is just a dumb@$$, I left for 2 hours last night and came home to a box of tissues shredded all over the floor. :angry:

    Dude, my boxer gets into EVERYTHING.

    He has eaten the following (things one would not expect a dog to eat-and mind you ...he did NOT get sick from any of this)

    1.) Soap
    2.) Avocados
    3.) bananas (with peels)
    4.) whole loaf of bread
    5.) 1.5 dozen muffins
    6.) plastic bags
    7.) fireworks (I know...fireworks. He pretty much just tore these apart)
    8.) Plastic containers (again...chewing and mangling)

    Previous owner told us he got into all food items so a week after having him we learned to lock these kinds of things up...non food items shock us...things we wouldn't think he'd get into. The soap is almost amusing now. he EATS it. he doesn't chew it and thing "this is gross". he eats about a half a bar every time...

    So far he has yet to get sick off anything he eats...he was rather hyper after eating all those muffins...but other than that...Nada.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    OH! Almost forgot: Powdered sugar.

    He didn't eat this...he took it to the ONLY CARPETED ROOM in the house and tore it up...piles of white that I swear....may never completely be cleaned out of the carpet. LoL...

    I'd be mad but....who can be mad at a boxer. The cuteness just prevents me from getting too angry.
  • Penny427
    Penny427 Posts: 166 Member
    My boxer is just a dumb@$$, I left for 2 hours last night and came home to a box of tissues shredded all over the floor. :angry:

    Dude, my boxer gets into EVERYTHING.

    He has eaten the following (things one would not expect a dog to eat-and mind you ...he did NOT get sick from any of this)

    1.) Soap
    2.) Avocados
    3.) bananas (with peels)
    4.) whole loaf of bread
    5.) 1.5 dozen muffins
    6.) plastic bags
    7.) fireworks (I know...fireworks. He pretty much just tore these apart)
    8.) Plastic containers (again...chewing and mangling)

    Previous owner told us he got into all food items so a week after having him we learned to lock these kinds of things up...non food items shock us...things we wouldn't think he'd get into. The soap is almost amusing now. he EATS it. he doesn't chew it and thing "this is gross". he eats about a half a bar every time...

    So far he has yet to get sick off anything he eats...he was rather hyper after eating all those muffins...but other than that...Nada.
    Paper towels, crayons...He tore into a fortune cookie once, I had to laugh and told him I hope he $#!t$ a fortune LOL The scariest for me was a tube of metal polish! We had it put in plastic walmart bags and he managed to tear through them and get the polish out. I dont know how much he ingested, but there was a puncture hole in the tube so Im sure he ate some of it. So glad he was okay though, I gave him some milk and an antacid LOL!
  • HiKaren
    HiKaren Posts: 1,306 Member
    OH! Almost forgot: Powdered sugar.

    He didn't eat this...he took it to the ONLY CARPETED ROOM in the house and tore it up...piles of white that I swear....may never completely be cleaned out of the carpet. LoL...

    I'd be mad but....who can be mad at a boxer. The cuteness just prevents me from getting too angry.

    Aaaaaah! :laugh: He was like.... "Wheres the donuts that go with this powdered sugar!" Heeeee. Those are super cute dogs. I hope he starts to behave sooooon.
  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    Agree with the poster who said not to get another dog -- two dogs are much harder to deal with than one!

    My advice is a vet check to make sure nothing is wrong physically, and then invest in a crate for daytime hours.

    I actually have a dog door because I work long hours, and it is the best investment ever! If you own your home, I would highly recommend a high quality dog door.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    The second dog is in the works...and this isn't a spur of the moment decision. We were waiting financially until we could afford a second dog...And I know it's more work-my family had two dogs growing up and they got along fine.

    I do think boxers do best in packs/pairs...they are dogs that like company and to play.

    We're probably going to get a girl per the advice of the breeder and others I've spoken to...avoid any competition and fighting.
  • moosegt35
    moosegt35 Posts: 1,296 Member
    Get him a treadmill. Bored dogs get into stuff, tired dogs sleep.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Get him a treadmill. Bored dogs get into stuff, tired dogs sleep.

    True...though Boxers are kind of notorious for getting into mischief/being bundles of energy. I've been trying to play with him and walk him more in the evenings (hide and go seek/tug of war, etc)
  • moosegt35
    moosegt35 Posts: 1,296 Member
    Get him a treadmill. Bored dogs get into stuff, tired dogs sleep.

    True...though Boxers are kind of notorious for getting into mischief/being bundles of energy. I've been trying to play with him and walk him more in the evenings (hide and go seek/tug of war, etc)

    That they are. I have an American Staffordshire (pit bull) and they are the same way. I trained mine on the treadmill at 6 months old and it is great. Let them walk/jog every morning while you get ready for work and it gets some of that extra energy out of them, gives them great exercise that is good for them and is super convenient especially in cold rainy weather when it isn't ideal for outside walks. My dog averages a couple of miles per day on his and he actually enjoys it. He will just go stand on it and wait for me to turn it on. Dogs behave a lot better when they are tired. Here is my guy below. If you are interested in doing this send me a message and I can tell you how to easily train them. As you can see mine doesn't use any harness or anything so he can just jump off if he needed to.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUHOvx4CkYU

Categories