My male boxer was so easy to train but Bonnie took a lot of work. She is 11 months old now and I am now just trusting her not to pee in the house. She also didn't mind laying in a wet crate. I can understand your frustation but she will get it eventually. I took Bonnie to the vets and found out she had an infection. Even after we got that cleared up I still took her out every 20 to 30 minutes. When she did go outside I brought her back in right away, praising her the whole time. You have to go out with her. It was a lot of work and time consuming going out every 20 minutes but she finally got it. She now rings the bell at the front door when she has to go out. Like everyone else has said, she is still a baby and no 2 dogs will be the same. Good luck and the hard work pays off in the end. Now if only I could get her to sleep past 4 a.m.
frustrated & crying & ready to get rid of pup
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jarheadmike
Guest
Just curious. What type of feeding schedule do you have Hera on? Or do you free feed by having food available all the time for her?
I can feel for you. We have a 1 year old bassett who we can't let in the garage because she pees all over it. We had to change her habits and now she isn't allowed in the garage. she was let out of crate too soon. Our 9 week old boxer is doing good with an occassional mishap in the house... because we weren't watching him. He has also been outside for a long time and then came in house and peed on rug. If we catch him, we make a loud noise and carry him back out telling him to go outside. You need to catch the dog in the act and they do give you signs, DJ starts sniffing around and we know it's time. Until they get 6,8, or a year, they need to be monitored while in house. Good luck and just try to have patience.
housebreaking
We have 2 pups from the same litter (Fred & Daphne). We housebroke both of them using the exact same methods. Daphne got it right away, Fred didn't. They are both 6 months now and we still crate them at night and any time we're gone for more than an hour or so. My point is that all dogs are different.
The tethering method works really well, I would recommend trying. Yeah, it is a pain in the ass at times but so is cleaning up puppy messes. Take her to the vet to make sure she is worm/parasite free and please get her off Puppy Chow. Buy the very best kibble you can afford right now. Puppy Chow runs through them like water. If she has a sensitive tummy try Science Diet I/D.
You do have to try to be more patient. You sound like you're at your wits end and that is surely affecting the vibes the puppy is picking up from you. Step back and ask yourself if you realistically have the time and energy for a puppy. If you don't, find her a new home. Really. You aren't doing her any favors by being so angry at her. People sometimes adopt pups for the right reasons but at the wrong time. I'm sure your intentions are good but it sounds like you just don't have the patience for her right now. Good luck.
We have 2 pups from the same litter (Fred & Daphne). We housebroke both of them using the exact same methods. Daphne got it right away, Fred didn't. They are both 6 months now and we still crate them at night and any time we're gone for more than an hour or so. My point is that all dogs are different.
The tethering method works really well, I would recommend trying. Yeah, it is a pain in the ass at times but so is cleaning up puppy messes. Take her to the vet to make sure she is worm/parasite free and please get her off Puppy Chow. Buy the very best kibble you can afford right now. Puppy Chow runs through them like water. If she has a sensitive tummy try Science Diet I/D.
You do have to try to be more patient. You sound like you're at your wits end and that is surely affecting the vibes the puppy is picking up from you. Step back and ask yourself if you realistically have the time and energy for a puppy. If you don't, find her a new home. Really. You aren't doing her any favors by being so angry at her. People sometimes adopt pups for the right reasons but at the wrong time. I'm sure your intentions are good but it sounds like you just don't have the patience for her right now. Good luck.
CC
Completely Boxer Crazy
Update please!!
How are things going with Hera? We haven't heard from you in a while, Christina - have you had a chance to try some of the tips given here? Do keep us up to date, we'd love to hear how well Hera's been doing!
Don't misinterpret the advice you've been given as lecturing or flaming - we've almost all been there and are here to help!
How are things going with Hera? We haven't heard from you in a while, Christina - have you had a chance to try some of the tips given here? Do keep us up to date, we'd love to hear how well Hera's been doing!
Don't misinterpret the advice you've been given as lecturing or flaming - we've almost all been there and are here to help!
boxrluvrfamly
Boxer Pal
Update on HERA
Hi,
Thanks for all the insightful, encouraging advice! I appreciate everyone's concern (LOL, so does HERA)!
I sat my family down and let THEM know the unbreakable rules about the dog. Up to this point I have been the only one to CONSISTENTLY "attempt to train her". My family, including my husband, was told that they HAD to do these unplesant time consuming things or the dog would go. Because of Hera's temperment and the challenges we have been faces with while trying to train her, I stated that it was imperative for all of us (including the dog) to do the things I requested. I am seven months pregnant, and have totally concluded that maybe getting a puppy at this time was a terrible decision. We missed Ringo, our other Boxer, who passed away a year ago) so much..that the thought of waiting yet another year after the baby was born was too long. So, we thought getting a pup several months before the baby was born was a good idea..not ever imagining that it would be a difficult pup! I have learned a HUGE LESSON!! At least human babies are immoble for several months!
HERE'S THE PLAN:
Take her out every 30 minumtes and someone ALWAYS stay outside with her, praising her when she does her business, encouraging her when she is farting around (spending 30 minutes walking and standing on the patio because she hates to walk on wet cold grass).
She is NEVER left alone in the house...not even when she is tethered in the kitchen...someone has to be in eyesight of her at all times.
She will only be petted after she has sat (so that she calms down..she is very hyper). If she starts to jump..she is to be re-commanded to sit again..and only then petted and visited with.
None of the kids are allowed to let her run and jump on them. I know this sounds harsh..but she is very wild and she has hurt my 3 year old daughter because she is so rough, and my daughter and Hera are unable to difrerentiate the difference between appropriate play and dangerous play. The kids are trying to teacher Hera to fetch, and my oldest son does walk her. My husband and I walk her every evening. She gets to sit with us in ouf family room in the evening, when everything is calm and quiet and we can keep a constant eye on her. She also sleeps (snoring unbearably loud) in our bedroom at night.
When we leave Hera is crated; she will NEVER be left tethered in the kitchen anymore because I agree and our vet agrees that she has seperation anxiety. She is safer in the crate, as is our home..
Finally, she is parasite free. She became very ill right after we brought her home (at 6 weeks two days of age). As it turned out she was infested with round worms. Thus she has been through five wormings, and is now worm free. At our vets encouragement we have switched from WELLNESS SUPER 5 PUPPY to another food (EAGLE PACK HOLISTIS SELECT). Our vet wanted us to try Hills ID, but I refused. I think it is junk food and way too expensive. I read many posts (on the BOXERBOARDS) about WELLNESS, and have concluded that it may have been contributing to Hera's vomitting. I just hope Eagle Pack Holistic Select agrees with her. It was such a decision as to what food to try! She is now completely off WELLNESS and on EAGLE PACK HOLISTIC SELECT (this took a couple of weeks).
Thanks again, and I will keep everyone posted! Oh..I am waiting for a few of the suggested books form my library..I hope to learn more about training Hera from them!
Christina
Hera, female flashy fawn, natural ears
Hi,
Thanks for all the insightful, encouraging advice! I appreciate everyone's concern (LOL, so does HERA)!
I sat my family down and let THEM know the unbreakable rules about the dog. Up to this point I have been the only one to CONSISTENTLY "attempt to train her". My family, including my husband, was told that they HAD to do these unplesant time consuming things or the dog would go. Because of Hera's temperment and the challenges we have been faces with while trying to train her, I stated that it was imperative for all of us (including the dog) to do the things I requested. I am seven months pregnant, and have totally concluded that maybe getting a puppy at this time was a terrible decision. We missed Ringo, our other Boxer, who passed away a year ago) so much..that the thought of waiting yet another year after the baby was born was too long. So, we thought getting a pup several months before the baby was born was a good idea..not ever imagining that it would be a difficult pup! I have learned a HUGE LESSON!! At least human babies are immoble for several months!
HERE'S THE PLAN:
Take her out every 30 minumtes and someone ALWAYS stay outside with her, praising her when she does her business, encouraging her when she is farting around (spending 30 minutes walking and standing on the patio because she hates to walk on wet cold grass).
She is NEVER left alone in the house...not even when she is tethered in the kitchen...someone has to be in eyesight of her at all times.
She will only be petted after she has sat (so that she calms down..she is very hyper). If she starts to jump..she is to be re-commanded to sit again..and only then petted and visited with.
None of the kids are allowed to let her run and jump on them. I know this sounds harsh..but she is very wild and she has hurt my 3 year old daughter because she is so rough, and my daughter and Hera are unable to difrerentiate the difference between appropriate play and dangerous play. The kids are trying to teacher Hera to fetch, and my oldest son does walk her. My husband and I walk her every evening. She gets to sit with us in ouf family room in the evening, when everything is calm and quiet and we can keep a constant eye on her. She also sleeps (snoring unbearably loud) in our bedroom at night.
When we leave Hera is crated; she will NEVER be left tethered in the kitchen anymore because I agree and our vet agrees that she has seperation anxiety. She is safer in the crate, as is our home..
Finally, she is parasite free. She became very ill right after we brought her home (at 6 weeks two days of age). As it turned out she was infested with round worms. Thus she has been through five wormings, and is now worm free. At our vets encouragement we have switched from WELLNESS SUPER 5 PUPPY to another food (EAGLE PACK HOLISTIS SELECT). Our vet wanted us to try Hills ID, but I refused. I think it is junk food and way too expensive. I read many posts (on the BOXERBOARDS) about WELLNESS, and have concluded that it may have been contributing to Hera's vomitting. I just hope Eagle Pack Holistic Select agrees with her. It was such a decision as to what food to try! She is now completely off WELLNESS and on EAGLE PACK HOLISTIC SELECT (this took a couple of weeks).
Thanks again, and I will keep everyone posted! Oh..I am waiting for a few of the suggested books form my library..I hope to learn more about training Hera from them!
Christina
Hera, female flashy fawn, natural ears
vasha
Boxer Pal
Christina -
I'm SOOOO happy that you guys are working together on this!!! Not only will it bring your family together, but Hera will be a healthier happier puppy for it.
GOOD LUCK and keep up the good work!! Be sure to come back and let us what's going on!!
a snuggles n kisses lovicon
kaiser hugs n slobbers
VaSHa
I'm SOOOO happy that you guys are working together on this!!! Not only will it bring your family together, but Hera will be a healthier happier puppy for it.
GOOD LUCK and keep up the good work!! Be sure to come back and let us what's going on!!
a snuggles n kisses loviconkaiser hugs n slobbers
VaSHa
diego's heart
Boxer Insane
Hear, hear (or here-here?) - WHICHEVER! Job Well Done in reevaluating the situation(s) and setting *family* participation, rules and expectations
!Sorry to hear Wellness didn't work out for Hera :( but wanted to give you big props refusing to feed Science Diet :p and going for Eagle Pack Holisitc (although I don't feed that, I know it's a very good food). Hopefully, The Dog Listener is one of the books you're waiting to receive from the library. It'll help tremendously, esp. separation anxiety. - Lisa
I agree with what you've decided to do with Hera. It is so important that everyone in the family is equally vigilant or she will learn who and where she can go. The two things I can think of in addition is to, one, look for a signal. For example, Quincy would always circle to the right once or twice before he squatted to poop. And he would sniff around alot before he peed. Watch Hera closely and see if she has any type of signal before she does her duty. The second thing I would recommend is to have a command for pee and poop. I didn't want to be standing in my yard saying "Poop Quincy" as the neighborhood watched so I use the phrase "Do your job" for pee and "Do your other job" for poop. (Because he ALWAYS pees first). This helped to eliminate the wandering. He used to need 10 laps around the yard before he finally got down to business, but now he has his commands and they work really well. Good luck, I know its frustrating. It seems like it will never end and then one day it clicks and they are HOUSEBROKEN. 
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