Doggy Behaviors

[HMaonlnlay]

I have a couple questions about my little Hannah. She is 8 months and has always been really skinny I ask the vet about it every time I go in but he just says that she will fill out soon enough. She doesn't look so skinny now but she has not grown at all. I have gotten her this new food without corn or wheat with lots of protein to help her grow bigger but she's so active and she still has a lot of bowel movements. They are solid be she just goes so much. Both her parents were not very big boxers but she is still so small. I see her brother every once and awhile and he is monsterous! I guess I just have a mini-boxer. What should I do? I also don't know why she will never come to me, maybe she needs some classes but she never wants me to touch her it always a game or she will run under the bed if she thinks I going to put her in her crate. Do all boxers do that?

 

[Cami]

If both of her parents were smaller that is a good indication of what your girl will end up like. However she still has at least another year of growing and filling out ahead of her.

What food are you feeding? A food can't help her to grow bigger than what she is eventually supposed to be. Her size is predetermined by her genes. Food can only make them fat if the intake is higher than the calories used. There is no such thing as a "mini-boxer" they just happen to be bigger ones as well as smaller ones.

One of the most important things to teach your girl is recall. There are multiple threads on how to go about this and it does takes constant practice, try doing a search here on BW for specifics.

Classes will also be a great resource for you in learning how to teach your girl and highly suggested.

At 8 months she is still 100% puppy! Everything to them is a game or a game in the making. My girl at just over 2 still thinks that life is supposed to be spent playing. I agree.

As far as the crate issue....making the crate a FANTASTIC place to be will make your life alot easier. Place treats in there that she can find on her own, she needs to associate good things with the crate. Praise her when she goes in on her own even if it is just to investigate and then turns around and leaves it. The crate has to be seen as a safe haven, a great place for napping and also for finding yummies inside. Try getting a kong and filling it with peanut butter (or similar stuffing) freeze it and then give it to her in the crate. This will work wonders with her association of the crate not being such a nasty place. Try keeping the door open, stay within her sight and let her have the kong. Sooner than later she will end up in there all by herself.

 

[HMaonlnlay]

Thank you, I have another dog she is a Pitt Boxer mix and she is completely different and she has no promblem going into her crate Hannah is much more rebelous than my Molly so I just have to understand all her enery. I will try the food and toys with her crate. As for her weight I think I just worry because she is so skinny I mean she eats but you can still see her little ribs. I had her on science diet because I asked the vet what food would be the best but I don't think she was holding much nutrients in so I went to this health dog food store and now I have her on 'Natural Balance' Potato and duck they seem to love it because I had samples of all sorts and they picked that one. Another question I had was I want to slowly start giving her some freedom from the crate while I'm gone should I do my girls separately or can you leave them alone together?

 

[Cami]

Natural Balance is a great food it is one of my girls favorites. She also loves their treats.

As far as the freedom thing and 2 dogs, I don't have any advice for you as I only have one dog. I am sure others will be better able to guide you in that dept.

We opted to start allowing our girl freedom pretty young. The kitten (at the time, they are now both 2) would gather toys outside of the kennel and I just felt so bad that Cami, (boxer) couldn't get out to play with the toys the kitten brought.

We started by literally walking out the door, closing it staying outside the door, quietly for 2 minutes. Slowly increasing the time to 20 minute trips to the grocery store, etc...Lot's of praise when we entered and everything was still in it's place. We also make sure that she has been outside for a game of fetch or similar romp as well as potty before leaving. This way she is good to go in the bathroom dept and is ready for a nap.