Biting and growling

[tucksmom]

Tucker is my first pure bred. I've had lots of experience with dogs though...I thought...but this IS my first Boxer. He is very vocal, I guess I was just concerned that there was biting along with growling that didn't sound like a "puppy". My good friend didn't have this happen with their Boxers Moonjelly and Finn. I guess they all have their own personalities, I'm just worried about doing things wrong and not discouraging bad behaviour the right way. We're actually taking him for a vet appointment today and the vet raises boxers, so we'll run our questions by him. OUr local vet said not to worry, so I'm trying not to. 99% of the time he's quite the charmer, I just want to assure my fiance and myself that he's "normal". Sorry I sound so paranoid. I'd be telling anyone else to relax about it, but I've discovered its different when it's your own and you've got emotions very invested into it. We were heartbroken when our last boxer mix passed away, so there are very strong emotions at work here that I think make things more intense sometimes. I guess I have to remember to take the pressure off ourselves and our little boy Tucker. Easier said than done. THanks for writing though and telling me not to worry. I'm sure I sound like a blubbering idiot...but thanks.

 

[Baby Duncan]

Our newest baby, Dancun, also loves to bite very hard and tackle your feet whenever you walk anywhere. I have noticed that he tends to tackle your feet more when you are headed somewhere he doesn't want you to go, such as back in the house when outside play time is over!

We do like to wrestle with him, but the biting did become a problem. We have found that saying OUCH and then immediately giving him one of his toys to bite has worked rather well. If that doesn't distract him away from your hands, a quick time out does the trick. He will still nip now and then, but you can tell he is learning. He is only 10 weeks old but he seems to be getting the point. Our last 2 boxers were the same way as puppies, but neither showed any bite tendacies as adults, even during rough play.

As far as biting the feet, we have found that stopping as soon as he pounces on our feet is just simply too boring for him and he quickly finds other means of amusement. However, this is often a painstakingly slow process with numerous stops before you reach your destination. Our short leash training sessions also help as you can add some resistance to his forward momentum toward your feet!

It is surprising to hear that your pup bit your son. Boxers seem to know the capacity of children and are more gentle with them, even if the children are playing rough. Playtime for your son may be calmer if you first wear the pup down a bit with a walk or similar activity. I usually do this before I have a household chore that will take my attention from Duncan and he is much more cooperative in letting me accomplish my task.

I wish you the best of luck with your pup and your babies!

 

[Shotze's Mom]

I have tried the penny can....she barked and growled at it. I have tried, "NO bite" she barks and growls at me. I have tried leaving the room...she follows me. I have tried saying ouch....she barks at me. Question....what do you do when all these fail? Shotze LOVES to play, but her playing is getting rougher and rougher. I dont know if it is because she feels so much better or if its a side effect of the ivermectin. She is doing the same thing with the kids and they are getting afraid of her. I hate to confine her to her crate and stress her out, and I hate to confine the kids to their rooms. Im working on this daily with her. She is super smart and learns fasst, this one is taking alot of time though. Am I missing something? Could it be that she just feels so much better? I consider myself a fairly decent trainer with my animals, have never had this problem before. I have even tried spraying her with a water bottle. It works, but she runs behind the hubby and barks at me. . What should I do?

 

[Gypszy60]

biting

I don't know if this will work but what I do when SugarRay gets like that is just stop dead in my tracks and say no more play! Then I leave him alone until he calms down-90% of the time he will come over to me and act so sorry but-he is a year old and not really a small puppy. Then I rub his belly and just tell him what a good boy he is and he seems to get the message for that incident. Sugars main problem is he doesn't know how powerful he is and he hurts me-sometimes he comes up behind me and jumps on my back and knocks me down-then I flip him over on his back and say no jump and rub his belly. My vet told me that this is how they act with their litter mates and just to be patient with him and keep reenforcing the good things he does.
He is my 5th boxer and they are all alike in some ways.

 

[mika's mama]

I can sure relate to your problem. A friend told me I needed to become the alpa instead of letting my wonderful new baby boxer rule the roost. He suggested that when Mika tried to nip at me or growled that I grab her gently but firmly by each side of her face, stareing her in the eyes and growl back at her. When I did this at first she growled louder, but I growled louder still, while staring her down. I stopped growling and let go of her as soon as she looked away. I've only had to use that technique twice and have had no problems since. She still rules the roost; and pushes me around on the bed and couch but when I use that tone of voice now she will listen without complaint. I also give her praise all the time telling her how good and wonderful she is.
Good luck,

 

[mika's mama]

I can sure relate to your problem. A friend told me I needed to become the alpa instead of letting my wonderful new baby boxer rule the roost. He suggested that when Mika tried to nip at me or growled that I grab her gently but firmly by each side of her face, stareing her in the eyes and growl back at her. When I did this at first she growled louder, but I growled louder still, while staring her down. I stopped growling and let go of her as soon as she looked away. I've only had to use that technique twice and have had no problems since. She still rules the roost; and pushes me around on the bed and couch but when I use that tone of voice now she will listen without complaint. I also give her praise all the time telling her how good and wonderful she is.
Good luck!