An odd behavior?

[ellaspapa]

Our girl, Ella, is pushing 11 months now. Overall, a pretty good girl, although she has her times and we have had our problems (severe allergies, sep. anxiety, vaginitice, etc..) One thing that worries me about her is a certain behavior.
Once in awhile if we are in the backyard or at the dog park, (usually happens when nobody else is around to play with), she will start biting at my feet, jumping at me growling, barking, etc....One time I had my hand out and she caught me with her tooth. I don't think she bit me, but did graze me and drew a drop or two of blood. She will also display this behavior once in awhile when we are walking on the leash. She will most of the time start going after the leash in a little fit. This behavior is getting better because I have the abililty to control it b/c I have control of the leash. I'll hold it right at the collar and tell her to heel. If that doesn't work I sit her down and pet her head, shoulders to try and calm her down and one or the other usually works.
However, when we are at the park or in the backyard, she will try to dodge you if you try to catch her. If you ignore her and turn your back to here she will sit and bark and bite at your pant leg and/or jump on your back. I'm not sure what to do. I've tried to ignore, that doesn't seem to work, I've grabbed her and put her in a control down, that doesn't seem to work. I've tried to make her sit and relax, that doesn't seem to work. Anybody have any ideas???

 

[boxer]

Your puppy is trying to play with you. If you don't want her to act like that, you should not reward the behaviour by responding - just ignore it (and her). Redirecting to something else - sit commands etc are fine.

If she won't come when you call her (and given that she's in her adolescent phase right now) then don't let her offleash until you've worked on her recall some more. Definitely never chase her - you're just joining in her game if you do. The barking isn't a problem - just keep ignoring her. I'd be more inclined to walk away and leave her by herself with the jumping thing though.

Not 100% sure what you mean by a "control down" but if that is forcing the dog to the ground and holding it there, then you should never, ever do that. It serves absolutely no purpose (what could the dog possibly learn?) and the only likely result is someone getting bitten.

 

[Cami]

Sounds like a typical boxer girl that is trying to get you to play! My girl does all of the above that you mentioned. DH decided once that it was comical to try and walk with Cami attached to his foot! I, on the other hand resorted to putting Bitter Apple Spray on my shoes in the summer while out trying to do yard work. She actually liked the taste as it didn't work on her.

Usually persistance in situations like these is the only thing that will stop the behavior. Redirection of behavior will also work.

Good-Luck.

 

[ellaspapa]

thanks for the responses. That's kind of what I figured. She plays nice in the house, no growling or barking, but outside it's a different story. I'll try to either ignore or go with a sit command and provide a toy or something. I don't mind playing at all and enjoy it, I just don't know how to play once she gets amped up like that.
boxer, your definition of a control down is correct and we were trained to put her in control downs from a trainer in a puppy class. They told us that it is a way to showing her that we are in charge and the dominat one of the "pack".
Cami, DH sounds exactly like Ella!
P.S. She is great about responding to the come call when we are at the park. We let her offleash to run and play with other dogs. If she gets to far ahead a whistle or a clap will have her running back to us.

 

[REAGAN'S MOM]

My 11 mos. old female boxer does the exact same thing. It is hilarious. I take her for a daily walk to the end of my street and back. On our way down, she is all business. Walks like a perfectly, well-trained dog. The minute I take the turn to come back she starts jumping up and down trying to grab the leash and tugging, etc... It really is funny because she has turned it into a routine. I can usually get her to stop after a couple of firm "NO's!" but I can only imagine what the neighbors are thinking!! These dogs are so smart it's scary!

 

[Julie P.]

My rescue boxer, Deeg does this exact same thing. He even does it in the house. I can usually tell when he is going to click over into this play mode so as soon as he starts I turn my back to him and ignore him. He isn't as persistent as he use to be and the episodes don't happen as often. Turning my back and ignoring him must be working. It is funny to watch him but not so funny when he does it to company. It kind of scares them so we have all our friends also trained to ignore him. When he first came to us he was "play aggressive”. He'd knock us down to the ground when he was serious about playing. But now he has gotten gentle and seems to play with boundaries and a little self control. We still have an occasional break-out of obnoxious biting at the feet and hands, attacking the lease and barking. I immediately say “no” and turn my back on him.

 

[swatman]

Funny, Ramos does the same thing on his walks occassionally. The first three quarters goes perfectly, as soon as we start heading for home...it's on. He jumps and bites at his leash, pulls at it as if to say it's not time to go in yet. Funny thing is that once he gets it he will start walking again in a proud prance, as if he's walking himself. Too funny
Mike