I'm having a problem with barking at night. I've tried to go out and calm her down, but it normally does not work. I'll see her looking as if she has spotted something, but I don't seen anything. So far my neighbors have not complained, but I'm sure it is just a matter of time. She does not do it all the time. It might happen 3 nights in a row and then she won't do it for a week or two. Any suggestions on how to calm her down?
barking
- Thread starter Shawn
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She just started this about 2 months ago. We kept her inside until she was about 4 months old. Since then she has been outside. She kept peeing in her carrier every night so that is one reason she is now an outside dog. Since the weather is getting colder, she does not get as much inter-action from the kids, so I try to keep her company as much as possible. I would hate to try and housebreak her now that she will we a year old in 2 weeks. Now that she is older, do you think she would not pee in her pet taxi? We love her very much and would be willing to bring her in, especially in the colder weather, but I would hate to start that and she pee and bark inside and wake up the babies. What do you think?
JulieM
Boxer Insane
I think she should become an inside dog immediately! There are some breeds that can stand being outside all the time, but the Boxer is not one of them. Among many other things, they don't have the coat for it 
You can housetrain a dog at any age, as long as you are consistent. At 4 months it's not at all surprising that she did not make it through the night - the longest she would have been expected to last was about 5 hours. Now that she's older, she should be able to go through the night - but she may have some accidents at first, while she's learning. Be gentle and patient with her. Start with her as if she were a puppy - she goes out as soon as she wakes up, after eating, after naps, before she goes to bed, and any time she looks like she needs to. Praise her for going outside, correct her for going inside _only_ if you catch her in the act. (If you don't catch her in the act, say nothing to her, clean up the mess, and remind yourself to pay better attention to her.)
If she's barking at night in her crate, there are a couple of things to try. Keep the crate in your bedroom at first, by the bed, so that she knows you're right there. Ignore her when she's barking (that means no yelling "Quiet" to her, either), and praise/treat her when she's silent. Start with short periods of time in the crate - seconds - and work up to longer periods. Give her a treat every time she is quiet during this beginning stage, then ask for a little more - 1 second of silence, then 3, then 5, etc. It may take time, but she'll get there.
I'm sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, but I feel very strongly about Boxers as outside dogs. One of the strongest characteristics of the breed is their desire to be part of the family - they cannot be if they are outside all the time, and to deny them this borders on cruelty IMHO. If you cannot bring her inside, please consider returning her to the breeder, or surrendering her to a Boxer Rescue, who will find her a home where she can be a part of a family.
Julie
You can housetrain a dog at any age, as long as you are consistent. At 4 months it's not at all surprising that she did not make it through the night - the longest she would have been expected to last was about 5 hours. Now that she's older, she should be able to go through the night - but she may have some accidents at first, while she's learning. Be gentle and patient with her. Start with her as if she were a puppy - she goes out as soon as she wakes up, after eating, after naps, before she goes to bed, and any time she looks like she needs to. Praise her for going outside, correct her for going inside _only_ if you catch her in the act. (If you don't catch her in the act, say nothing to her, clean up the mess, and remind yourself to pay better attention to her.)
If she's barking at night in her crate, there are a couple of things to try. Keep the crate in your bedroom at first, by the bed, so that she knows you're right there. Ignore her when she's barking (that means no yelling "Quiet" to her, either), and praise/treat her when she's silent. Start with short periods of time in the crate - seconds - and work up to longer periods. Give her a treat every time she is quiet during this beginning stage, then ask for a little more - 1 second of silence, then 3, then 5, etc. It may take time, but she'll get there.
I'm sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, but I feel very strongly about Boxers as outside dogs. One of the strongest characteristics of the breed is their desire to be part of the family - they cannot be if they are outside all the time, and to deny them this borders on cruelty IMHO. If you cannot bring her inside, please consider returning her to the breeder, or surrendering her to a Boxer Rescue, who will find her a home where she can be a part of a family.
Julie
Yes, bring her inside. Boxer are not meant to be outside. It is cruel to keep her outside.
Did you have her checked by a vet to see if there were any medical reasons for her accidents in the crate?
I totally agree with Julie's comments. I hope you decide to make her an inside dog.
Did you have her checked by a vet to see if there were any medical reasons for her accidents in the crate?
I totally agree with Julie's comments. I hope you decide to make her an inside dog.
Hold on a minute! I take great care of Sadie. I don't have problem with her being inside. In no way am I being harsh with her. I have her dog house, a quite large one by the way, set up with several layers carpet and door to keep wind off her. No way will I turn her over to a rescue. She is not in need of it. I live in Texas, so the winter is normally not that bad. She has a large back yard to do what ever she wants, except dig which I wish she would stop. The barking only happens every so often. To ease your mind I will attempt to bring her in. I've been around these dogs for about 15 years...... my uncle has had several. She is my first. Actually the second, the first one (about 3 years ago) was sick and I returned her. I know they need constant affection. They thrive on it!!!! I understand your love and concern for these dogs. I wouldn't be so quick to tell someone to give up their dog. My kids would come unglued if I did that. I'll go get a larger crate and start working with her soon. Thanks!!!!
JulieM
Boxer Insane
Shawn,
I didn't mean to offend you. Look at it from my side. I have no history of your experience with Boxers. I only know that your 4 month old puppy couldn't make it all night without peeing in her crate, so you consigned her to be an outside dog. That is unreasonable to me and suggests that you are not aware of the needs of a Boxer. I was not being quick to tell you to get rid of the dog - she's been outside for 8 months, which tells me you had no plans to bring her back inside.
Please rememeber that this is the Internet, and facial expressions, intonations, etc. are not available. I have only what I am told to form an opinion, and if I don't have the whole story I do not know it.
Enough about that. Regardless of where you live, I still stand by my position that Boxers are not meant to be outside dogs. The lack of coat is only one reason, as you yourself said they thrive on constant attention. They need to be part of the family, not something that is kept in the backyard and is only a part of the family when it's convenient for you to be out there with her.
As for the digging, fill in the holes most of the way, put some of her feces into the hole and then cover it. This will usually stop the digging - in that spot. You will aslo need to set aside an area where she *can* dig, and if you catch her digging in the yard, tell her NO, move her to her spot and praise her for digging there.
She also sounds like she could benefit from exercise. Having a yard to play in is great, but if she's out there alone she won't do much playing. Either run around with her back there, or take her on long (1 hour+) walks _daily_. A tired Boxer is a well-behaved Boxer, plus she'll be getting some good one-on-one interaction with you (or your kids - maybe a different person every day could take her for her walk).
If you're willing to bring her inside and keep her there, I'm thrilled. If she's going to be an outside dog she deserves a new home.
Julie
I didn't mean to offend you. Look at it from my side. I have no history of your experience with Boxers. I only know that your 4 month old puppy couldn't make it all night without peeing in her crate, so you consigned her to be an outside dog. That is unreasonable to me and suggests that you are not aware of the needs of a Boxer. I was not being quick to tell you to get rid of the dog - she's been outside for 8 months, which tells me you had no plans to bring her back inside.
Please rememeber that this is the Internet, and facial expressions, intonations, etc. are not available. I have only what I am told to form an opinion, and if I don't have the whole story I do not know it.
Enough about that. Regardless of where you live, I still stand by my position that Boxers are not meant to be outside dogs. The lack of coat is only one reason, as you yourself said they thrive on constant attention. They need to be part of the family, not something that is kept in the backyard and is only a part of the family when it's convenient for you to be out there with her.
As for the digging, fill in the holes most of the way, put some of her feces into the hole and then cover it. This will usually stop the digging - in that spot. You will aslo need to set aside an area where she *can* dig, and if you catch her digging in the yard, tell her NO, move her to her spot and praise her for digging there.
She also sounds like she could benefit from exercise. Having a yard to play in is great, but if she's out there alone she won't do much playing. Either run around with her back there, or take her on long (1 hour+) walks _daily_. A tired Boxer is a well-behaved Boxer, plus she'll be getting some good one-on-one interaction with you (or your kids - maybe a different person every day could take her for her walk).
If you're willing to bring her inside and keep her there, I'm thrilled. If she's going to be an outside dog she deserves a new home.
Julie
Alisha Mobley
Boxer Insane
Shawn
Tyson, my 2 1/2 year old male, was an outside dog until he was 28 months old. He was always with another dog to keep him company but I wanted him inside to be with the family all the time. Our youngest, Sheeba, was always kept inside and I know how much these dogs love affection and being with their family. I never once felt that Tyson couldn't servive outside in the winter (he did for 2 years) or was cold. He would lay on top of his dog house in mid winter. I wouldn't think he would do that if he was cold. I feel Boxers can't live happily outside because their hearts would be broken if they couldn't be with their family all the time not because they would be cold. I'm glad you are going to try and work thru the house training with Sadie. I know how frustrating it can be but to ease your mind from my own experience the older dog is easier to train. Like I said Tyson was 2 1/2 before being an inside dog so was never house trained. After bringing him inside he has peed 3 times inside during the 8 weeks his training has started. Once was because I let him out of the crate and didn't take him straight outside and the other 2 times was because it had been a few hours since he was last out and I had lost track of time (until he reminded me by raising his leg on the fish tank). Pru and Sheeba peed nearly daily when they were first brought home but were much younger. Tyson hasn't peed 1/16 as much as they did.
Obedience classes might also help with the house training. They will teach Sadie to obey commands and let her know who is the leader. It seemed Pru and Sheeba quit having accidents in the house once they started obedience. You will notice a huge difference in your dog after starting obedience classes.
Good Luck with the house training and keep us posted on Sadie's progress.
Tyson, my 2 1/2 year old male, was an outside dog until he was 28 months old. He was always with another dog to keep him company but I wanted him inside to be with the family all the time. Our youngest, Sheeba, was always kept inside and I know how much these dogs love affection and being with their family. I never once felt that Tyson couldn't servive outside in the winter (he did for 2 years) or was cold. He would lay on top of his dog house in mid winter. I wouldn't think he would do that if he was cold. I feel Boxers can't live happily outside because their hearts would be broken if they couldn't be with their family all the time not because they would be cold. I'm glad you are going to try and work thru the house training with Sadie. I know how frustrating it can be but to ease your mind from my own experience the older dog is easier to train. Like I said Tyson was 2 1/2 before being an inside dog so was never house trained. After bringing him inside he has peed 3 times inside during the 8 weeks his training has started. Once was because I let him out of the crate and didn't take him straight outside and the other 2 times was because it had been a few hours since he was last out and I had lost track of time (until he reminded me by raising his leg on the fish tank). Pru and Sheeba peed nearly daily when they were first brought home but were much younger. Tyson hasn't peed 1/16 as much as they did.
Obedience classes might also help with the house training. They will teach Sadie to obey commands and let her know who is the leader. It seemed Pru and Sheeba quit having accidents in the house once they started obedience. You will notice a huge difference in your dog after starting obedience classes.
Good Luck with the house training and keep us posted on Sadie's progress.
Alisha Mobley
Boxer Insane
I agree with Julie on the exercise thing. Barking and digging are signs of boredom and lack of exercise. Walks are great but it seems no matter how long I walk mine they don't get tired. The only things I have found that tire mine are each other or for me to throw toys for them to run and get. I'm big on obedience so I will throw in that practiceing commands and training obedience seems to calm my 3 down.:D
Aimee
Boxer Insane
I have to agree with bringing your baby inside. I have never understood why people keep their dogs outside. I mean no offense but if you want a pet (which is a companion), keeping it outside away from you and your family seems pointless. No animal deserves to be left outside alone...put yourself in their shoes. The animal is only as good as their owner and I learned this the hard way. Lexi totally destroyed our house and was not completely house trained until she was almost 3 due to separation anxiety...of which I created and thankfully have now fixed. I have learned that a dog with obedience, a routine, lots of love and praise makes for a happy dog and a happier you. Invest the time in this sweetie! Do not discard of her to the backyard because you haven't taken the time to train her. It's not Sadie's fault.
What bothers me though is your statement "I don't have problem with her being inside. In no way am I being harsh with her. I have her dog house, a quite large one by the way, set up with several layers carpet and door to keep wind off her. No way will I turn her over to a rescue. She is not in need of it. I live in Texas, so the winter is normally not that bad. She has a large back yard to do what ever she wants, except dig which I wish she would stop. The barking only happens every so often. To ease your mind I will attempt to bring her in."
1) If you don't mind her being inside - why is she outside?
2) She has a large backyard - that's great but what else does she have to do but dig if nobody is playing with her, running around with her, she needs exercise. Believe me, if not given a job to do, these babies will create one.
3) To ease "our" minds you will "attempt" to bring her in?? I think that is the one that works at me in the worst way. Don't do it because the people on the board gave you a hard time because you will be lacking the interest to make it work. House training takes time, patience and alot of work (which of course is why our second baby came from rescue already housetrained) This is a commitment on your part. I know you did not post this to get jumped all over but there are alot of knowledgable boxer lovers on this board and my vet was one of the first to let me know when I got my first baby that they cannot adapt to hot and cold weather..all books will tell you they need EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXCERCISE, and that the Boxer is a FAMILY animal and needs affection. Please make the commitment to Sadie, she will return the favor to you a thousand times over :D
What bothers me though is your statement "I don't have problem with her being inside. In no way am I being harsh with her. I have her dog house, a quite large one by the way, set up with several layers carpet and door to keep wind off her. No way will I turn her over to a rescue. She is not in need of it. I live in Texas, so the winter is normally not that bad. She has a large back yard to do what ever she wants, except dig which I wish she would stop. The barking only happens every so often. To ease your mind I will attempt to bring her in."
1) If you don't mind her being inside - why is she outside?
2) She has a large backyard - that's great but what else does she have to do but dig if nobody is playing with her, running around with her, she needs exercise. Believe me, if not given a job to do, these babies will create one.
3) To ease "our" minds you will "attempt" to bring her in?? I think that is the one that works at me in the worst way. Don't do it because the people on the board gave you a hard time because you will be lacking the interest to make it work. House training takes time, patience and alot of work (which of course is why our second baby came from rescue already housetrained
) This is a commitment on your part. I know you did not post this to get jumped all over but there are alot of knowledgable boxer lovers on this board and my vet was one of the first to let me know when I got my first baby that they cannot adapt to hot and cold weather..all books will tell you they need EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXCERCISE, and that the Boxer is a FAMILY animal and needs affection. Please make the commitment to Sadie, she will return the favor to you a thousand times over :D- Status