A positive update! (long sorry, I'm in a good mood)

[northernboxr]

I have been away from BW for quite some time now. Some of you may remember that I was really struggling with Riker as a puppy. He was just so bad and didn't seem to love me at all, despite the fact that I devoted every second to training, exercise and playing.

Well, I feel all of that hard work has finally paid off and that he is becoming a fantastic dog.

I finally realized that he is just really dumb. His trainer even said he had "never met a dog that was so slow to catch onto things"...haha. I started to be a little more forgiving with his bad behavior and laugh a lot more. Now I adore my hilariously-dumb baby. He makes me laugh every time I look at him. (A friend suggested that maybe he is so smart that he seems dumb... but no, he's the real thing!)

He is almost 8 months now and I know we still have to go through the teenager phase, but he is just the best dog I could ever ask for. All he wants is to be close to me. He follows me from room to room and makes me feel loved every second of the day. His obedience is excellent and his general behaviour, well, we're getting there!

I remind myself of the positives- he has never destroyed anything, has no separation anxiety, knows lots of tricks, always comes when called (gosh we worked hard on that!), can be walked off-leash now without chasing the joggers(!) etc, etc. It gives me hope that with time and more training he'll finally learn to stop jumping up...

Anyway, that's my news. I really love this little guy and can't imagine life without him. I wish he hadn't tortured me as a puppy, but we're here now and that's all that matters!

 

[jeffbotteril]

.............................He was just so bad and didn't seem to love me at all, despite the fact that I devoted every second to training, exercise and playing......................

............................I finally realized that he is just really dumb. His trainer even said he had "never met a dog that was so slow to catch onto things"...haha...........................

Boxer's are not a dumb breed. They are an intelligent dog but do not usually like repetitive tasks and too much similar training, they get bored as any intelligent animal or human being would.

They are stubborn at times and because they like to think if something is worth doing for them before they do it on occasions. Rather than breeds that just do whatever you want them to do and for however many times you want them to do it.

Plenty of trainers get it wrong with breeds such as Boxers which are more independent thinking and stubborn at times by taking the easy option and calling them dumb, its a nice let out for them.

Good to hear you are progressing well, its a life-long learning process for both the dogs and their humans.

A good book to read imo, is "So Your Dog's Not Lassie" by Betty Fisher and Suzanne Delzio.

 

[Gruntsmom]

So glad to hear that life is going better with Riker, that he has calmed down a little and that you are feeling happier about him!! It sounds like he really does quite well with a number of things appicon, thanks to your consistency in training, etc.

I had a VERY hard time the first YEAR with Grunt - funny, I never thought he was dumb - there was a sparkle and shine in his eyes (that has never gone away BTW!) that told me he was very, very bright. I was the one who was clueless until I came to BW, did more reading on Boxers and animal behavior, and talked to a few breeders that I had met at shows. If you look in Riker's eyes, I bet you see that same sparkle and shine! And, most important of all, if he follows you around and loves you to pieces, no way is he dumb!! Keep up the good work - Riker will get even better. Keep working on the jumping - I still am with Grunt and he's 4 1/2!!

 

[Biff]

I finally realized that he is just really dumb.

I often say this about Biff too - but he is really a genius in disguise (very heavy disguise btw! ) and I'm sure Riker is too! gradicon

I am so glad to hear you so upbeat, and to hear how well that wee man is doing now.

Keep up the good work Riker! appicon

 

[MaggienDeuce]

So glad you have found happiness with your baby. Maggie was a super challenging puppy and took a year and a half to be trusted with potty training. Add to that the fact that Deuce has some social issues because his first family didn't care for him. I have learned you MUST celebrate every accomplishment, no matter how small. They really do want to make you happy so just be patient while they learn how to do that. Enjoy your sweet, little man!

 

[ELubas]

Glad things are better with your boy but I must say I have NEVER met a "dumb" boxer. I have met under challenged, under exercised, and under inspired boxers, but never dumb. A friend of mine who has gone all the way in obedience with her boxer babies says they are "determined" and I like that description. They are interesting inasmuch as after they get it do not ask them to prove it again and again. Thier attitude is , "You wanted a long sit/stay so I sat here for three minutes-why in the world are we now doing it again???? Oh-look!-a moth to chase" Sometimes I think my girl thinks that I do not understand the excercise And get ready for adolescence-he will try you again Hope things continue to go well

 

[SILLY6PAK]

what does your dog do to make you think he is dumb? He seems to being doing great, especially for a dog so young. Either way, I am glad you are in love.

 

[northernboxr]

Perhaps "dumb" is too harsh! Maybe I should use "waaaay too easily amused/distracted" or "silliest dog on the planet". The point is that I finally cut him some slack and realized that yes, he wasn't Lassie (that is a brilliant title btw)! I stopped expecting him to be perfect.

Why did I decide he wasn't smart? Well, one reason is that he can't seem to solve very simple problems. For example, instead of a baby-gate, I just rest a thin little poster board across the doorway. It has been months and he hasn't figured out that he need only nudge the board a little bit to get out. He just stands there whimpering to be let out. Another example- he will sit, stay and watch as I hide some treats in a room. I then say "OK" and he runs to find them... but he can only ever find one or two- then he just stands there looking stunned, like he can't...quite...remember)

Maybe it is because Riker is so silly- he'll walk around wiggling his butt and squeaking a toy for an hour straight, not a care in the world. He is so easily amused.

But yes, perhaps calling him dumb is too mean. He just takes a long time to catch on to new things (but you guys are right, that could just be his stubborn side). However, regardless of his mental abilities- we've developed a really strong relationship that didn't seem possible 3 months ago. I just adore him.

 

[jeffbotteril]

http://www.boxerworld.com/

'He is the clown of the dog fraternity, canines answer to vaudeville. A laugh a minute, lives life to the fullest, a maximum velocity version of canine slapstick. But he is also a sympathetic soul, a shoulder to cry on, a confidante. He is all that is good in a dog. He is of course The Boxer (from the article Canine Clowns by Matthew Cowley).'


http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/view_boxer-dog-faq.htm

'The boxer is a German breed, developed in the late 1800s from mastiff-type dogs known as bullenbeisers (bull-baiters). The brabant bullenbeiser is generally accepted as being the most immediate ancestor of the boxer. These dogs were selectively bred for hunting and holding prey – and the independent thinking ability required for that task remains a feature of the breed today.'


http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/view_is-the-boxer-the-right-dog-for-you.htm

'The Boxer is not a small dog, and is very energetic and playful. They like to be active and included in everything. They are inclined to be boisterous which may not suit you or your lifestyle. Boxers mature very slowly, so act like puppies nearly all their life, though they to start to settle more at around 3 to 4 years of age.'

'If you want a dog who only wants to do what you say when you say, do not get a Boxer. Boxers are a very independent breed, very willing to work with you, but unwilling to be ordered around.'


Ref the poster-board, I would be praising him for being so smart as to wait for your command to let him out. He is probably trying to please you and has learnt the rule that he only comes out when you invite him to come out. Why put a poster board there if you want him to just go to and fro, if anything it just confuses him as to what you want.

Hiding the treats is fun but the boxer is not bred to be a sniffer dog (although they can do very well when interested) they get bored pretty quickly with it most times.

It's great you adore him and he will certainly adore you back with interest.

 

[Indy's mom]

Perhaps "dumb" is too harsh! ... For example, instead of a baby-gate, I just rest a thin little poster board across the doorway. It has been months and he hasn't figured out that he need only nudge the board a little bit to get out. He just stands there whimpering to be let out. Another example- he will sit, stay and watch as I hide some treats in a room. I then say "OK" and he runs to find them... but he can only ever find one or two- then he just stands there looking stunned, like he can't...quite...remember)...

He sounds just like my Indy! And I've been told again and again at doggy daycare that Indy is one of the brightest, most eager to please dogs they have ever worked with! Not just by the owner whom I have gotten to know, but by the other employees who know my dog, but not me.

I think Jeffbotteril probably got it right. Riker has figured out what you want, so why would he knock down that posterboard? I can keep Indy out of a room with a 6" high board across a doorway, he won't step over it because he's been told not to, been this way since he was a pup. He's very eager to please and interact, needs the social interaction much more than some other dogs. Also likes more change than other dogs. Could be than after Riker has found a couple of treats, he's done with that challenge...what's next mom?

No doubt that Riker is going to find a few new buttons to push in the months ahead beware! But just like the puppy stage it will pass and you will be thrilled and amazed when it passes.

No matter what, it sounds like you and Riker have formed an amazing bond lovicon so glad to hear it. Keep playing, training, challenging him and you will find that you are more and more impressed by him all the time!