Can't leave her alone for a second!

[hrhsamantha]

My 6 month old boxer gets into EVERYTHING!! I can't even leave the room to go to the bathroom (last time I did she got into the diaper rash cream and had it eeeverywhere!). Anything that is within her reach is fair game. We can't leave anything on the coffee table because she will get it (my glasses, important mail, cans of soda....just a few things she has gotten.) I mean, I expected a puppy to get into things, but I can't even leave her for a second! If she gets up to go in the other room I have to follow her to make sure she doesn't get anything she isn't supposed to. It's getting very inconvenient, especially now that I have a newborn baby to take care of. Does anyone have any suggestions? We tell her no, make her drop whatever it is that she isn't supposed to have (though sometimes she will try to make us chase her for it), and give her one of her toys instead. She just isn't getting any better. Will I ever be able to trust her?????

 

[gmacleod]

LOL - welcome to the "terrible twos" as it's often known, or pre-adolescent phase. This is a stage that most boxers go through, and its going to test both your patience and your training ability (or dedication). It is something very much worth your while to dedicate time and effort to though - your well-behaved pet *will* re-emerge from this phase if you put in the required effort to guide her. If you're feeling optimistic, you could think of it as good training for when your own child reaches a similar stage of development

You've taken on a big task with a puppy to raise and educate into a well balanced dog - at the same time as having a human baby on the way (and now a newborn). It is a BIG ask, which is a major reason that most people would not recommend getting a puppy at that time, but instead waiting a few years. But at the same time, it's not impossible to do successfully - it's just that it's a big ask. The baby is, I'm sure, taking up every waking moment you have... but the puppy still needs a lot of time and dedication to training as well. Hard to do both at once - but that is actually the way out of your dillema.

How much help do you have with the dog? That is, is there anyone else who can spend some time on her? I ask this because - from what you have written above - it would seem that the major problem you have is a bored and idle puppy, who's finding ways of amusing herself that aren't exactly those you'd like. In reality, a puppy of this age should be out being socialised and exercised (good hard running & playing exercise, not walks) for at least a couple of hours daily. And on top of that, she *needs* mental stimulation. If she doesn't get it, then she's going to invent her own mischief - which is what I think is happening here. So ideally, you'd be looking at someone taking her out for some good hard exercise (playing at the dog park, or being sent to doggy daycare) for a good couple of hours every day. AND someone taking her to group training classes at least a couple of times each week. On top of that lot, some mental stimulation at home would also be very helpful - a little bit of training, but mainly the sorts of games that make her use her brain (for example, hide and seek - or better yet, hide and fetch where she has to find items you've hidden and bring them back to you).

The point being that this is an age where dogs start to think for themselves - they test boundaries, and they need their mental & physical requirements satisfied. And if they don't get it, they try to create it for themselves - usually in ways you'd rather they didn't. As is so often said, a tired boxer is a good boxer. That is absolutely true, and never more so when the boxer is an adolescent. But tired means both mentally and physically

Soo- I'm not sure how practical that is for your situation just now. I don't imagine that it is especially feasible for you personally to be devoting that sort of time to your puppy when you have a newborn in the house. But at the same time, *someone* has to if the dog is to have the sort of guidance and education that is so vital at this age - and that is necessary to produce a well rounded and reliable adult dog. Is there someone else who can take on some of the training and exercise for you? If not, can you consider things like doggy daycare and paying someone reliable to take her to group training classes?

Btw: I see you have another thread about her barking at your newborn and running off with toys, etc. I won't reply in that thread also - but I would believe the problem (boredom) and solution to be the same as above.

 

[Ashleynicole]

I know what your going thru! I have tried EVERYTHING to get sugar to stop chewing and nothing works. I have no high heel shoes anymore, she has chew all of them up along with all of my college books, and everything else possible. She was in a stage of getting into our indoor plants, so we thought a mouse trap might stop her. Boy was I wrong......the only thing that done was give her another chew toy. It amazed me, she didn't even set it off.... Chewed it up, and it still didn't go off!
But shes almost a year old, and i've been giving her a kong and bone to keep her occupied, and shes doing alot better!

 

[larrygs]

Really great post from gmacleod! It is a tough time, but much easier to get through with that advice. LOL, I can't begin to tell you how many ways our girl would do something she shouldn't, usually just to get us to react. What fun, .. for her. Actually I would laugh in secret knowing her games.

I noticed "We tell her no, make her drop whatever it is" Some of this is just her exploring the world and some may be a game to her, especially at that age. She takes something, and gets the positive reward of your attention. I don't think using "no" will have much meaning, especially since she got you to engage with her. It sounds odd, but "no" doesn't really tell her to do something, or even not to do something. It is a negative reaction from you regarding something that is probably already out of her attention span. It is like scolding after they already had an "accident" in the house. All she may understand is that your are mad. Sure makes it difficult to train them.

If you haven't already, teaching "leave it", a proactive command with a positive reward, will help in the long run. Also might teach "drop it" with a positive reward, rather than getting pulled into the wonderful game of chase. BTW, these commands or "no" will probably not translate to "leave it" on something else.

Will you ever be able to trust her? Sure!

 

[sandy's mom]

IMHO, Boxers are not totally mature until they are at least 2 years old.
She will get better with time, but she is still very much a puppy and will be for a while.

You have to make her house safe for her. Right now, she is learning what she can and can not touch. Everything is new and exciting for her...especially something you do not want her to have... that probably makes it more exciting to her... she will test you and test you...
Try to be patient.

My father had a saying about having a puppy. Something you truly cherish or need will be eaten or chewed while you are not looking. I have learned, that is just how it is. Of course, there are things you can do but remember, nothing is full proof. Napoleon was the one we always had to watch at my house. He chewed door frames, window sills, kitchen cabinets. the list goes on and on.

Remember, she is still a baby and is trying to get your attention...good or bad.

Good Luck!

 

[Sugarcain]

If you're feeling optimistic, you could think of it as good training for when your own child reaches a similar stage of development

Ditto this. I've always treated puppy proofing my house as I would treat a child learning to walk around. If its below waist level its probably going to get spilled, chewed, knocked over, lost, broken, etc. Put everything up where they can't reach. That includes the coffee on the coffee table, the remote control, etc, .

 

[x19er]

Totally agree with what has already been said appicon

Just like having a toddler if it's something you don't want them to get at then move it up a level or into a cupboard.

Is there someone who can take puppy out for walk first thing in the morning, so she has had at least one good walk to start the day? Are you able to take her out with you & the pram for another walk later in the day too? You could try a kong stuffed with something yummy to keep her occupied for a while, they can takes ages trying to fish out a biccie & lick peanut butter!

Plus are you involving puppy in the things your doing with baby? Puppy can 'help' you give a bath by peering over the edge watching. Or following you through for a nappy change etc.

We've done the baby & puppy together thing - it is possible just needs a bit of thinking through sometimes to keep everyone occupied. Now we have a 1 year old boxer who adores our son and vice versa, they are great to watch together and very much worth the extra effort.

 

[bmwgardner]

First of all, great feedback from everyone else on this post.
Secondly, the dog is 6 months old. She will get into everything. I recommend tethering her to your waist. That way she has to go everywhere with you. It will increase your bond as well as help you keep an eye on her. Also, if she has to move with you then it becomes her job to follow you. Jobs are very important for working dogs like boxers.
Lastly, dogs chew because they are bored and under exercised. Boxers need A LOT of exercise. That means they need to exert their energy with a purpose. A quick walk out to pee doesn't count as exercise. They really need a good 1 mile walk at least 2 times a day. No less. If you have a new baby I would recommend checking out training on a treadmill. We just bought one for our boxers and it has been great. They get that extra energy off of them and walking on it because a job that they have to concentrate on. This works really great when it's cold outside and you can't take them to walk yourself. Or, in your case, if you have a little one around and you can't get out to walk the dog. Good luck.