At the End of My Rope ( and sanity)

[ChrisM]

Get to a puppy class and fast! Forget about wheter you think the pup is old enough, it will be good for YOU to learn about your role a alpha and about everyday interaction with your dog. Lots of widsom to be gained by owners in puppy class, not just by the pups!

 

[Kimberley]

definately normal

I would say that you are going through the stages of having a puppy! Everything I went through with my Gracy and alot of people I know have gone through with their loveable furballs.
A few points that I have been taught and learned, DO NOT use the crate as a punishment area that will only make him not want to go in more. I had to break my self of that with Gracy because it would terrible for her and I to get her in the crate. Once I made it a pleasant experience for both of us, giving her treats everytime she went in or I put here in to the point she just walks in now pleasantly and I do not feel bad ad she is not scared too. It is a place for her to relax and she goes willingly because I am not angry yelling or trying to force her in. Please try it it will take a while but when it does you will be pleased. Remember he is a puppy and can be trained, it just takes time.
The folowing is my opinion from experience, not made to offend Re: choke/pinch collars. I agree completely that they are dangerous and I found out the hard way. When I first got my Gracy she broke several collars even from a few months old. At six months a choke collar was tried from a suggestion of a trainer. I almost lost my Gracy from that advice. she has a strong desire to jump and jump high, when she was that young she could not clear a 5 foot fence as she can now and she ended up hanging herself from the fence by the choker in my nieghbors yard who was watching her and his dog. Luckily my neighbor got to her soon enough and she was just a little shaken but I will never put another choker on her material or otherwise due to that.

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

I agree with those who suggested obedience training. My trainer is a lifesaver and I don't think I would have survived puppy without him.

Your puppy sounds like he is trying to develop an alpha role or dominance in your house. He is not a bad dog...whenever I tell people that they say...Not my dog! Biting and jumping are all signs of dominance. Not all puppies bite. Amaya is very submissive and never bit...Brutus was another story. Many dogs are born leaders and try to exert themselves. Brutus was a similar puppy and once we worked out the dominance issues we had a fine little pup.

here are some pointers about where to begin:
1- Make sure you eat before the dog. Eat breakfast first. In a pack the top dog eats first. In my house Amaya won't eat until Bru has started. Also try running your hands through the food so it smells like it came from you.
2- Do not allow the dog on furniture or beds. You can reallow later but for now the puppy is learning that you get the best spots.
3- Try to walk through doors or up stairs before the dog. The lead dog leads the other. In my house Amaya wont come inside until Bru does...he is lead dog.
4- Use a kennel. They are great for housebreaking and dominance. I also use the kennel for "naps" during the day when I need some time to myself.
5- Try this dominance exercise. Put the puppy on the leash and sit on the leash on the floor giving the pup about 6 inches. Sit there for 1/2 hour while ignoring the dog. This teaches that you can make him go down and he needs to do what you want.

Jan and Dan also recomend "Culture Clash" which helps identify dominance and gives ideas on how to deal with it. I also read "How to Speak Dog" which also is very helpful in determing body language.

 

[nanabear]

Well, those are some lonnnggg posts above me, filled with good advice.
The only thing I want to say is:
Your puppy sounds normal.
Your puppy is VERY young - you are expecting too much.
And I skimmed the other posts but I'm not sure anyone stressed the importance of exercise. Boxer puppies need a lot of exercise, otherwise they *really* are the Tasmanian Devil.
When Mack was that young, he got 2 half hour walks a day (morning and evening) and another 2-3 walks around the block where leash training and basic obedience (w/treat rewards was happening). It is REALLY HARD to give them enough exercise before they have been fully vaccinated - but if you don't do it, they cause chaos.
I think most people learn to like Boxers when they are exposed to adult dogs with some training and maturity. Boxer puppies really are a handful and I feel for you - you probably already have enough to deal with caring for two young children. "Somebody" (read this as your husband) needs to wear out that puppy with regular exercise, or he's going to end up in rescue.

 

[Jean K]

Puppy Bites

Guess you got lots of advice so I will add the following. I start my boxer puppies at 8wks in their training as they will hopefully be in competition. Had a biting problem with D'Artagnan and the trainer instructed my to hold him by the back of the leather collar, lift front feet off of the floor and shake him, then command CUT IT OUT. When I say shake, it should be enough to startle, but not hurt him. This is how his MOM would disipline him. It works. He attended a public obedence class with adult dogs at four months and won his sit stay competion. But I do a lot of homework with my boxers. Hope this helps.