He is out of control!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lafsalot]

I have to agree with the previous post, sounds like a typical adolescent. You may want to re-establish yourself as the leader by following the "nothing in life is free" technique.
http://www.sspca.org/Dogs_TANSTAAFL.html Hang in there, it does get better ~ Cathy

 

[courtney323]

BasilStreets is correct, and I'm sorry I missed that post.

Holding and pinning your dog down to "show him who's boss" is a horrible idea, and very likely to get you hurt. That type of negative reinforcement is also not allowed to be discussed on Boxerworld.

Please read the Rules, and respect them. Members who choose to ignore the Rules will be removed, and threads that promote or discuss negative reinforcement methods will be closed.

Discussion of deliberate use of devices or practices that cause or have the potential to cause physical trauma to a dog. Boxerworld does recognise that people do have genuine questions regarding training tools (choke chains, prong collars, mousetraps etc) and methods, but we support and promote wholeheartedly positive training and behaviour management, that is, teaching the dog what to do by using positive methods, not teaching a dog what not to do by causing it discomfort and pain. Any threads which appear to promote "negative" training and methods will be closed.

www.boxerworld.com/rules

 

[BeckyNC]

I agree with those who are "anti-pinning" (a dog down). That's an archaic way to handle things and I actually think it's almost cruel. I realize no harm is intended, but you need to understand why your dog is acting as he is. One can establish him/herself as the alpha without the pinning.

Tae was 13 mos and in the throes of adolscence when I adopted her. It was a rough 6 mos that followed for me, but I established I was boss and that helped a lot.

It sounds as if Maverick is just going through adolescence. The way to handle this is to be firm. If he's not coming into the house from the back yard, he probably needs an incentive. Next time he comes to you when called, reward him with a high value treat (piece of cheese or hot dog or something he really likes). Do this until he will come to you without any difficulty. Then, eliminate the treat.

Also, obedience, as another poster suggested, is key here. Take him to another obedience class. The adolescence phase doesn't last for a matter of weeks. It could be months. Hitting or yelling at the dog is not constructive. I know Tae gets confused when I've acted irritated toward her. I try not to do so b/c she wants to please me so badly and acting that way toward her would just confuse her...

 

[Tucker's Mom]

Yep, you've got yourself a teenager. Tucker went back on all his training when he hit about 8-9 months. He ran from us, messed in the house, chewed everything in sight, you name it - he did it. I thought he was going to be the death of me. NILF broke him of it, though. Even now, although he has more freedom than he did then, we practice NILF. Just stay with it. And, remember that getting mad at him is giving him the attention he acting out to get (although not quite the attention he wants, he's still getting his way). Ignore him, be patient, and make him work for any attention at all. He'll come around.

 

[dharmadoodle]

There is no need for physical re-enforment of one's alpha position at all, and doing so can in fact be dangerous. On eof the more well known books which advocated the alpha roll, The Monks of New Skete, has, in newer additions, removed this technique as they realized its potential danger.

i had no idea this technique had been banned for being dangerous - i always believed that you had to do what their mum would do in the wild.

Thanks for letting me know guys.

i can honestly say tho' that neither my partner (the main dominant one) or my pup have ever hurt each other, although no one has ever laid on her, just pinned her to a down position when she won't do it the first time, mainly due to over-excitement at the time.

still at least i've learnt something new today.

 

[knjsBailey]

I think part of the problem is you tell him things over and over. Is it "no" followed by another "no" followed by "didn't I say no." If that is the way it goes you need to stop. By doing that he has no respect for you and thinks when you say something you do not mean it. If you tell him sit and he does not do it right away, you make him sit. You really have to make it worth it for him leaving alone what you don't want him to touch. If he goes for the garbage and you say no, that split second he stops give him praise and treats like crazy, more than ever. This will let him know that better things happen when he listens. This should be done while he is on a leash so you can control him. As far as the running from you, it is a game to him. The more you chase the more he will run. I would say to keep him on a leash at all times. I would also get a 25' retractable leash or training rope so he can run and exercise but you have control. I like 25' training ropes to work on long distance recalls.

 

[BeckyNC]

I think part of the problem is you tell him things over and over. Is it "no" followed by another "no" followed by "didn't I say no." If that is the way it goes you need to stop. By doing that he has no respect for you and thinks when you say something you do not mean it.

Ken--I totally agree. In obedience, the trainer taught us that repeating a command increases the chance your dog will ignore you. Clearly state the command and, since Boxers are so atuned to us and wish to please, just look at the dog and he'll eventually comply. I can do this with Tae. On the other hand, in the past she went nuts when she saw other dogs while on a walk and would totally fixate on them. I wanted her to sit, so I'd say "sit" and if she didn't, I'd just tap on her butt (NO pushing, just a gentle tapping) until it went down. This way, I didn't repeat myself.

 

[Taren]

Thanks guys, we have been teaching NiLIF since i posted last. he has been better. he is on a leash everytime he goes outside he has to sit before he goes out and we make him stay while we walk out first then he follows i make him sit and stay before i put his food down. i did get mad at him this morning bc he did the jumping thing again and scratched my arm up so i yelled at him and took his toy away. what should i do when he starts that stuff again the jumping on us and he wont stop???? i am going to try to hand feed him in the morning. yes i do need to stop repeating myself NO NO NO!! i wil say it once and tap him on his behind. he has been fairly good keep me in your thoughts please!!!! Thanks guys!! i cant reward him right now with treats bc he is on food trial he cant have anything but dog food and he really doesnt get excited abut his dog food for treats ya know!! he will be off of it monday thank goodness then i am going to buy him some very good treats. i may try the furniture thing bc i really hate all of the dog hair on it anyways. i guess i will have to get him a bed for the living room or just pull his bed out of his crate!! thanks so much!!!!

 

[Taren]

one more thing how do i keep a 60.6 lb dog off of the furniture??? what do i say??? if he wont get off do i pick him up or drag him off???

 

[KonaKoffe]

Taren:
I have always considered Boxers to have selective hearing at one time or another. What you are going thru is typical of young boxers at least in my experience (7 of them in my lifetime.)

As far as the garbage goes we have our containers either in the cabinet under the sink or use closed container types. Save yourself the headache and the chance of the dog getting into something harmful and look into closed containers.

[As you realized, "poping" him doesn't work or make YOU feel better.]

As far as the food goes, unless they grow up together feeding two dogs side by side is always going to be an issue. When we visit my parents we always have had to feed the dogs separately or at different times. I agree with you tho about him growling when you tried to redirect him to his food. You need to determine tho if it was food agression that made him growl or how you grabbed him to redirect him. You were getting in the middle of a dominance issue (which you should be able to ) between him and the female over the food.

Our dogs are allowed on the couch and bed so I don't have any suggestions about keeping hoim off the furniture other than constant firm correction. We were taught to use the word "Off" rather than "Down" to distinguish when to get off of something (or someone when jumping) vs laying down on the floor.

At this stage in their training they will test your patience but you need to keep the upper hand and keep your cool!!! A cool calm tone of voice and behavior, on your part, will go alot farther than anger and frustration. Count to 10 and look at the situation from his point of view before you act.