Can Anyone Help

[kiwilyme]

Oops I just realized I've been saying your daughter, I've just now noticed his name is Blake. So sorry.
Also I didn't want to sound cruel or ignorant when I said I would have tossed him in his crate or at least removed him from " Blakes space" for his snapping at Blake. Negative reinforcement has worked for my boxers fairly well with very quick results, it has helped establish what was going to be excepted and what would not. What methods of training, discipline and rewards do you use to get the desired behavior from your boxers? I'm asking from a gaining knowledge point of view (for myself and my own boxers) and not to judge or analyze your methods.
I also hadn't even considered Prince being afraid of the baby! Of course when he was cornered I could see him (Prince) feeling trapped, but the snapping. What do you think is it fear related, jealousy or does he just not seem to like small kids? If that's the case follow your heart and gut instincts as a mother to a forever young child and the owner of a senior boxer. You are really in a pickle I really feel for you.

 

[Faughtey]

Negative reinforcement has worked for my boxers fairly well with very quick results, it has helped establish what was going to be excepted and what would not. What methods of training, discipline and rewards do you use to get the desired behavior from your boxers? I'm asking from a gaining knowledge point of view (for myself and my own boxers) and not to judge or analyze your methods.

On Boxerworld positive training methods are encouraged. Using a reward system for good behavior may not be as fast, but the dog will still trust you at the end of the day.

 

[kiwilyme]

Wow! I feel so lousey...

Faughtey,

So crating my boxer for brief periods (10 mins.) for jumping and knocking the kids down who are 2.5 & 5 and know how to behave around boxers is shunned upon by BW. What should I have done sent the kids to their room? They did nothing to encourage him to knock them over, just kids playing with each other he Hummer was also playing he just had no clue how to play with small kids. I needed quick results as the kids were really getting hurt badly cuts,bruises and the like.Never mind that they were terrified by the assault/ruff play. Keep in mind my Hummer is an 85 lbs male and nearly 3 yrs old and he's newly adopted he had many undesirable habits this is why he ended up in a shelter. Hummer has turned out to be the model dog (in a short time) other then the counter stealing. How would you suggest I handle that? I am open to comments and suggestions.
We are in enrolled in a beginners dog obedience class. He's my first rescue but not my first boxer he's my fourth boxer we currently have three. Not knowing his whole life's history and having young kids I need methods that will work fast that will deter any harm to my children. I do not believe in hitting in any form, shocking or any cruel methods of training my dog. I also wholeheartedly believe and practice rewarding positive behavior. Oh and I have Hummers trust and love and its mutual as well as Hershey and Kings(also newly adopted) more importantly they have my trust with my children and the kids absolutely love their boxers and 1 kitty. My 5 yr old says she has dreams about saving and helping other animals in rescue. This makes it a happy home. I have until this thread enjoyed my brief time here on BW forum. I do however feel somewhat scrutinized under a microscope for my comments in this thread which I had hoped would be received in a postive way. Never was I advocating crualty in any way shape or form I don't see crating for short periods for negative behavior a cruel punishment. I think I'll do more reading and much less commenting in the future.

 

[mypupJake]

I'm really sorry you have to go through this. What a terrible decision to have to make. If your son was bit by Prince and you had to go to a doctor they would probably make you euthanize him and that would be alot worse than finding him a good home. I would probably find a no kill rescue group and keep him until they find a home for him. Good luck. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Chicagosarah]

Faughtey,

So crating my boxer for brief periods (10 mins.) for jumping and knocking the kids down who are 2.5 & 5 and know how to behave around boxers is shunned upon by BW.

I have always heard never to use a crate as punishment because it is the dogs safe place. It should never think of the crate as"oh this is where I go when I did a bad thing.
Instead ignoring the dog, no eye contact, etc is more effective. And also working with a trainer that comes to your house to teach the dog the proper way to act around kids and in the house, etc.
Trainers are priceless!!LOL, I know I had to have a trainer out to teach my boxers how to not jump on people and not to bark at the door, trip me as I walk down the stairs, etc. Thank goodness for trainers!!!
Srah

 

[kiwilyme]

Thank you so much for your kind tone and good advice

Hi Sarah,

Great advice and I most definitely would have went that avenue if Hummers behavior hadn't improved. But apparently the brief time outs in his crate worked he no longer knocks the kids over I also did not need to crate him or remove him from the room to often as Hummer is quite smart and figured out quickly why he had been removed. I often find Hummer sleeping in his open crate so he apparently still likes his crate/den. Hummer has been with us since Sept. 15th of this year. Honestly I feel like I've had him all his life. I completely trust him with the kids. I am glad I didn't have to hire a personal trainer to come over b/c I couldn't afford one.

Thank you so much for your kind tone and good advice,
Yvette

 

[Faughtey]

Kiwilyme, you said that negative reinforcement works for you and it works quickly. In most cases it involves abuse of the dog. You appeared to be promoting that, which is against the rules. In a later post, you said you do use positive methods and were against cruelty which erodes trust. Try not to be so sensitive. Misunderstandings are very common, but very easy to clear up.

 

[TazzysMom]

I remember when my sister gave birth to her daughter Malyn, she had two big dogs in the house and a young son Mookie. The dogs were great!!! It was her son Mookie who felt threatened by the new addtion to the house. You could never leave Mookie alone or near Malyn unsupervised he would try and hurt her. This was very upsetting you can imagine to my sister these were both her babies she gave birth to. She had to make so many changes to the house. Mookie proofing everything until he was old enough to understand what he was doing and Malyn was old enough to be out of harms way. They were tired day after day making sure everyone was safe and happy for about 2 years, now everything is perfect. I'm glad my sister didn't think of getting rid of my nephew, yes I consider skin and fur babies equally important to the household! Give Prince the same consideration you would give to an older child trying to adjust to a family change before booting him off, seniors do not do well in these situations. I hope things work out for you and that everyone can have a safe and happy life. Good Luck.

Leilani
Tazzy waiting at the bridge
Lucy 13 year old Rescue Boxer Girl

 

[kiwilyme]

Thanks Faught,

It seems I had my terminology wrong as to what negative reinforcements truly means, I had no idea its only meaning was associated/related to or meant physical harm to an animal. My mistake. I can see why I stepped on so many toes and offended so many. I apologize for being way to sensitive.

 

[TracyLynn]

Hi - please do not give your boxer to the humane society. Many people who use boxers as bait dogs get them from the humane society or from "free to good home" ads. If you cannot find a boxer rescue willing to take him then find a friend, family member, co-worker, etc. You have no control over who walks in to the humane society, and sees a senior boxer that would work great as a bait dog, and takes him away... Best of luck to you!!