Originally posted by jjones
we have an adorable 1 and a half year old. She is fine when we are there ourselves, but goes abosolutely crazy when we have visitors-it is horrible-right now anytime we have people over we place her leash on-and she won't calm down.
Train the down command and place her in a down with the leash on her. Downing a dog causes their heart rate to slow, relaxes the dog and results in a calmer dog. Have her to hold the down until she looks completely relaxed then allow her to get up keeping the leash on her. Don't overly praise her because this will only excite her. After she is walking around calmly you can try and remove the leash. Sometimes just knowing they have their leash on will calm them but placing them in a down is good practice.
Originally posted by jjones
We just started have a private trainer since group classes did absolutely nothing-she can't transfer what she learns in class and what we practice all week to what happens when peopl come over-any suggestions???!!! HELP!!!
I prefer group classes since I feel the dog needs to learn w/ distractions. If she is doing good at home alone then I really don't see what a private trainer is going to do to help. It really sounds like she needs the practice w/ the distractions of other dogs. When you practice on your own don't limit her to the yard or house. Take her out in public palces. A varietly of environments when training is best. She will soon learn to ignore the distractions and listen to her commands. Boxers are very curious and can bore easily. Keep her training sessions short but frequent. Practice one or maybe two commands at a time. You want her and you to be able to give/obey the commands so well you/her can do it in your sleep. Lavish her w/ praise for obeying.
Originally posted by jjones
Last Time we tried to place her in her crate when we had guests she snapped at my husband
This sounds like she was showing her dominant side. Don't give in and practice placing her in the crate when company is over. When she snaps ignore her. She will quickly learn that snapping gets her no where and no matter how much of a fit she throws if you say she must go in the crate, then it has to be done. Once you get her in there praise her. Leave her in there for at least 2 seconds perferably 4 then get her out and do it again. Mix up the amount of time she is left in each time. If you do exactly 4 seconds each time she will anticipate this and will be ready to run out at exactly 4 seconds (try 4, then maybe 10, then 6, etc). Keep repeating the process until she at least doesn't snap but would be even better if she went in on command (this could take longer than one training session though and the snapping is the big issue at this point).
Hope this helps.
