Getting boxer under control

[ashp]

One of the problems we're having is that when Holly is off leash in the yard she becomes completely out of control. Inside the house she'll (mostly) come when called, but outside she just melts down and gets so frantic that she's unable to control herself.

This is where she'll start frantically digging or trying to destroy bushes, and she treats everything like it's a game. If I walk away from her she'll resume destroying the garden, so that's not an option.

Treats didn't fool her and her toys don't either. How can I get her to calm down and get back under control? :(

 

[ehayes21]

Sounds like she needs another outlet for her energy. Is there a fenced area, like a ballfield you could take her to so that she could run around and act crazy?

 

[superruben]

I completely agree w/ ehayes! Ruben get out of control sometimes, running around the house like an idiot and knocking stuff over. That's when I know it's time for a trip outside. Luckily we have a fenced back yard but like she said, maybe you could find a nice fenced in area. If that's not an option how about a nice long walk/jog to get rid of some of that energy. Also if she's still young (for sure 2 yrs and under) some of that just comes w/ the territory.

 

[ashp]

I've started taking her to the salt marsh opposite our house, there's plenty of room to run around there but it's not fenced so she has to stay on the leash (which is a shame), but there's no fenced area for her to run around.

Part of the trouble with fenced areas is finding a way to get her back on the leash if we have to leave. She won't come and let you reconnect it, she fights it constantly, even if she's exhausted she'll still try to run away.

I'm waiting for her gentle leader to arrive so we can try using that to walk her easier. Currently she has to wait until 6pm when I get home from work to take her out. Last night she exhausted herself and behaved great all night.

My wife is pregnant, heavily pregnant, so with her current inability to walk on the leash without trying to yank, she can't take her. The kids are 6 and 8 and she can tug them right over, so we're hoping the gentle leader will REALLY help.

If that works my wife will walk her in the day, the kids after they get back from school and I'll take her out at 6pm. Maybe instead of a leash I need to get a 40ft rope to take her for walks on the marsh

 

[superruben]

What about a training class? Even a basic one would help her learn to walk on a leash properly and make all of your lives easier!

 

[ashp]

What about a training class? Even a basic one would help her learn to walk on a leash properly and make all of your lives easier!

Part of the trouble has been trying to find one local. They are all on the other side of Boston and my wife is terrified of driving. I just bought her a fancy tomtom so I might have better luck convincing her that we need to take the dog to a class if I can find a suitable one.

Mostly the issue is just time, I'm only around on the weekends and we just moved here, so we've had lots of other stuff going on that's taken up all our time. Where we used to live training classes didn't exist (rural maine).

Part of my worry about a group class is her bad socialisation. Where we used to live the only dogs that existed generally just lived outside and roamed around feral. They were all generally beaten and as a result they had significant problems, and most of them hid from my puppy as she was playful, and they got beaten for being playful (rural areas can be terrible).

Would other dog owners understand when my crazy demented girl kept jumping on their dogs head over and over and over uncontrollably, like she tries to do everytime she encounters another dog?

That's my biggest worry about a group class, but I don't see any alternative to socialise her better other than to find people with big dogs who aren't afraid to just let them play without freaking out everytime their dog growls at mine for bad behaviour.

(For reference I'm in Boston in case anyone wants to let their boxer teach mine how to have manners when meeting another dog!)

 

[aceowner]

It sounds like you are really only having a problem with the recall when you want her to come. You need to associate comming when called meaning something good. If your dog only sees that if she comes to you when called that playtime is over then she has no motivation to obey. Also they are more likely to obey when they have burned extra energy like the others have said.

 

[ashp]

It sounds like you are really only having a problem with the recall when you want her to come. You need to associate comming when called meaning something good. If your dog only sees that if she comes to you when called that playtime is over then she has no motivation to obey. Also they are more likely to obey when they have burned extra energy like the others have said.

So just stick to carrying a bunch of charlie bears in my pocket and calling her at random times for treats? I can do that, is it OK to call her during play and then just give her treats every time she comes?

(I assume I should keep the treats hidden until she comes otherwise she'll wait to see the treat, she's no dummy)

 

[taryndanae]

with Cassius, we would call him at random times during play, and treat him when he came. This helped his recall, as it was not always associated with leaving!

 

[aceowner]

Yeah just call her at random times and she will associate the comand with fun not the end to fun. It doesn't have to be a treat but that works well. It can be a toy she loves or just anything that gets her excited and she loves to do. You can even just call her and then wrestle around with her. The objective is to make her want to come to you when you call her. It takes a little while to make it a concrete reaction but she will get it. A few pointers while doing this:
1. You don't want to over do it. If you call her to often she will get bored with it and the reward won't seem so enticing.
2. Don't repeat the command. Say it once and if she doesn't respond make her do it and reward. (you may need to try this first with the leash on so you can make sure she comes)
3. Don't yell the command. If you say it in a normal tone of voice they are more likely to respond. It also teaches the dog to always be listening for your voice. She will learn that if she is always listening for a command she will get rewarded more and you will have a more calm pleased demeanor.

Hope this helps!