At my whits end not sure what to do. (sorry long)

[trdavis]

We have a beautiful 8 month old boxer, Crystalyn. I love her to death, but we're having problems that I have tried for months to change and it's just not working.

I work from home so I'm not gone a lot but when I do leave I put her in the crate. Get home she's out. I've tried putting her in the hall with the baby gate not luck. I tried the backyard she can open the gate. That's problem 1.

2 is the trash. I can't keep her out of it. I've tried under the counter, in the laundry room. (she opens doors)

3 is chewing in general. Come home she's chewed up papers, anything she can get really. I try to put everything up out of reach but I have kids and some times things get over looked.

4 is pooping in the house. She will go to the door and let you know she needs out. But this morning I let her out she comes in and poops on the floor. She goes out before I leave and when I come home there is always poop on the floor.

She can sit and will 99% of the time you ask her. Come is a different story. Mostly she runs from me. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I don't want to give her I know she's smart and I'm sure she can be a great dog, but I'm doing something wrong.

Any advice is welcome.

 

[Louise501]

How does she get out of the crate, do you lock the door to it? Maybe try a taller bin, mine is a tall one with a swing opening lid so mine can not get into it. When I go out mine are crated in 2 crates so that they can't be destructive, which they can be especially if they have tons of energy and are bored, does Crystalyn have plenty of exercise? mine tend to sleep if they have had a morning walk.

You may have to re train her with toileting, it doesn't sound as if she is properly trained, try taking her outside and giving her a vocal command to go, something short that she will associate in time with going to the toilet and praising her profusely as soon as she goes, keep an eye on her all the time and take her out as soon as she gives you any warning that she needs to go.

If she knows her name call her and give her a treat as soon as she comes to you, it all takes time but being consistent and not setting her up to fail is very important

 

[trdavis]

Yeah I lock the crate when I leave. It's just big enough for her to stand and turn in. The door is still locked when I come home and she's out. she just busted through the sides.

I'll the other things you suggested. Thank you for your reply.

 

[Gen G. :)]

Louise501 gave you excellent advice: a tired boxer is a good boxer, and lots of exercise will keep her quieter while you're out. You also definitely need a new crate if Crystalyn can Houdini out of it!

Furthermore, to better Crystalyn's recall, make sure to practice it as a game: make it fun for her to come to you. When you call, give her a treat and let her go again until she comes to you at all times. If she associates her recall with the 'end of the fun' every single time, of course she'll avoid coming back to you She will learn she doesn't have to run away from you when you call, because many times it also means a yummy treat!

Good luck with your rambunctuous girl!

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Others have good advice on the recall and crate. On getting in the trash, put baby locks on the cupboards to keep her out, baby locks can be a dog owner's best friend too. And yep I'd start back at potty training 101 since she has regressed (or never properly learned to begin with). And exercise exercise exercise. Some are okay without structured walks doesn't sound like yours is. I would do at least (1) 30 minute walk daily, preferably 2 and then lots of off leash playtime in the yard to help with the excess energy. Typically destructive behavior is excess energy.

Also do you do any on leash training for "come"? I would first practice this. 20-30 minutes a day along with various other commands, but making "come" a big factor and giving a treat when she does come, but that way you have a leash attached to her and can make her come so she understands. Come is hard for many dogs and she may not quite understand waht you are asking either.

Good luck!

 

[kathysboxer]

Lots of good advice. As for her chewing, we make sure Tyson has bones, chew toys, balls, anything he would be able to chew and not break. He has chewed quite a few of his squeeky toys up. If we see him going for something he isn't allowed, we tell him no!! and redirect his attention to one of his chew items. He is also 8 months old. What a terror!!! He is still working on his recall. But is doing better. I am at the point where he hears the treat bag open when we are outside and he comes running full tilt into the house. I don't even get a chance to tell him come. One day he almost ran into the patio door because he couldn't get stopped.
He has gotten into our trash a couple times, but we tell him NO TRASH and again redirect his attention.
It is amazing how smart they are. He is thankfully at the point where we can pretty much leave him out of his crate all the time. He does sleep in it on occasion, usually through the day when we are at work.
As everyone else said, TONS of exercise. I let him out for an hour to run and play with me before I go to work. When I get home, same thing. Then in the evening we go for a long walk. By bedtime he is exhausted.
Good Luck

 

[trdavis]

Thank you all for the advice. I'm trying it all.


What do I do when I come home and find her out of the crate? Anything or just let it go?

 

[trdavis]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try it.

One thing though. What do I do when I come home and find her out of her crate like this morning? Anything or nothing at all?

 

[trdavis]

One thing though. What do I do when I come home and find her out of her crate like this morning? Anything or nothing at all?

 

[EAO76]

One thing though. What do I do when I come home and find her out of her crate like this morning? Anything or nothing at all?

There is nothing you can do after the fact.

Why don’t you get a new more secure crate? Is her current one plastic? The wire crates are almost impossible to break out of.

Also have you considered the possibility that she has separation anxiety? He breaking out of the crate and pooping issues could be stemming from SA.