Boxers are so stubborn!

[Julie Davis]

I've been having trouble with Boomer not wanting to come in from outside in the mornings. He knows that when I go to work, he gets put in the bathroom while I'm gone. (It's not like the bathroom is a terrible place...I even put his bed in there for him). When I wake up in the mornings, I let him out(he sleeps in my room with me) to do his business, then when I call him to come in a few minutes later, he refuses to come in. He's smart enough to know that I'm getting ready for work and he'll be put in the bathroom. The other day we had some really cold weather (not cold for those of you up north, but 28 degrees is cold for Florida!)and Boomer was hiding in the yard. I called him and told him it was too cold for him to be stubborn like that, and he poked his head around the corner and had that look on his face. All of you with boxers know what look I'm talking about! He was so cold his legs were about to buckle out from under him, but he still refused to come in! I finally caught him off guard, and dragged him in. There was a post earlier about boxer intelligence. Boxers are like cats, just because they refuse to do something doesn't make them dumb...it just shows that they're stubborn and have a mind of their own.
=============================================
boomer, flashy fawn, 2/19/00, natural ears

 

[Al's Pal]

Maybe you could try feeding Boomer his brekkie/dinner in the bathroom so it has a nice association - do you leave him with a little treat when you go to work? Also you could try getting him to come inside with a chase game - will he chase you for a toy or something? This could be difficult if you have to get dressed up to go to work though? (You've probably already tried anyway!) I think Ali looks forward to the last person going to work as she knows she'll get a little goodie (pigs ear or some other yummy thing), and she stays in the laundry/hallway, also with her bed. Sometimes I think boxers are too intelligent for their own (or our) good! How can people think they're dumb?

 

[Jacksondad]

Boxers diffently have a mind of their own. I think they are much smarter than we realize. Jackson is only an 8 month old, but he is so smart about somethings....although, he still likes to dig in the trash, and hasnt gotten the punishment association down, he diffently is a smart dog. Another thing is they are so fearless....They sometimes think they are little superdogs. One thing i have had trouble with him, is jumping up on friends, and biting at the shoes....believe me he does get punished for doing these things, but he still does them anyway knowing he will get some type of punishment.

Whats up with that..i dont know....they are sometimes just too smart for us to even realize.

Mitchell and Jackson
Clemson, SC

------------
Jackson
8mnth. fawn male, cropped, black mask. distinct white star on chest..No other white markings. Handsome fellow

 

[Lisa M]

Casper doesn't like when it's time for the kennel when we leave. It's not because the crate is bad, it's because he's going to miss us when we're gone! We take him for walks on his leash before and after crate time so he can't hide. But he knows when I get his big bone out that goes in the crate with him so he ususally tries to get out of reach when I grab that, but there just isn't anyplace to hide or I'm sure he would, so I can relate.

------------------
mama to:
-Sumi, lab mix "pound puppy"
-Casper, white boxer rescued from the Dade County Animal shelter

 

[TabithaL]

Oh yes, trying to get the fur-kids settled before work.... I can relate to what you face every morning! We have worked with Rainy (fawn, flashy natural ear female) all of her 2 years! Treats work for getting her into her kennel, but we still have to bribe her to get her even near it. She used to hide in the house, but now she just sulks on the couch. It's still a big game to Romeo and he's just happy to get treats!
I like the breakfast/dinner idea in the bathroom or toys/treats. Unfortunately, they're so smart that they get bored easy with such things! The walks and playing before work and after are good ideas, too.
How about a special toy only to be played with while you're gone?