Gina and I have been through a lot together. She is 7 months old now and does not get into the touble she used to but, I am afraid what she did today may be the last straw for her Dad. My husband and I are gardeners. Today when I went out there to check on her she had dug so deeply around our Wisteria that she had exposed and was eating the roots! This plant is her Dads pride and joy! I am afraid he may decide she cannot live with us any longer if this plant dies. He has worked hard in our yard trying to 'puppy proof' it. But, so far nothing has worked. He has tried chicken wire under the plants (she ignored it), little fences (she ate them!) and even a sprinkle of hot pepper, (she licked it up..I swear! What is left? I covered the exposed roots and re-mulched them but, I am so afraid that tomorrow I am going to see a half dead plant out there. My husband loves Gina (although he did get real mad at her when she got up in bed with him the other day and peed) but, he has worked with this plant for several years now..Please help us! I love her too but, realize that we cannot continue to allow her to destoy the plants we heave worked so hard nurtutring. Any suggestions on how to stop this would be so appreciated..As well as any suggestions on how I am going to relay this information to her Dad! Thanks.
HELP!!I am afraid this may be the last straw...
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Sabrina Jay
Boxer Insane
Where are you when she is outside destroying the plants?
When boxers are left alone, they can become destructive when they get bored, and she is still going through her puppy stage.
I hope you are not leaving her alone outside while you are gone from the house. You are already seeing just one of the problems that can happen. Others are: digging in various places in the yard or under the fence, fence jumping, someone stealing her out of your yard, etc.
When she is outside, you MUST stay with her and correct her when you CATCH her doing inappropriate behavior. It does no good to correct her after the act.
When boxers are left alone, they can become destructive when they get bored, and she is still going through her puppy stage.
I hope you are not leaving her alone outside while you are gone from the house. You are already seeing just one of the problems that can happen. Others are: digging in various places in the yard or under the fence, fence jumping, someone stealing her out of your yard, etc.
When she is outside, you MUST stay with her and correct her when you CATCH her doing inappropriate behavior. It does no good to correct her after the act.
Krikkit
Boxer Insane
This must be very hard for you :( To be honest, we have four Boxers and no garden as such, just a heap of Native trees and bushes. If I did want a true garden I would fence off an area with strong dog proof fencing (some of which is very attractive but it can be expensive).
The articles might help you - but remember that dogs dig and chew - just because they are dogs and it is part of being a dog. You can take steps to minimise this however. You may also like to read the book 'Culture Clash' by Jean Donaldson.
A Digging Solution! or Does Your Yard Look Like the Grand Canyon?
http://www.doggiedoor.com/diggings.shtml
http://www2.tpg.com.au/users/rloftus/digging.htm
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/dogdestructive.htm
http://www.healthypet.com/Library/behavior-1.html
I hope you can work through this by being fair to Gina and yourselves. Compromise is not so bad, especially as Gina is still very young and has many years ahead of her. She is a teenager at the moment and will mature, with a bit of training and working through this problem it should gradually lessen as she grows up. In saying that Rebel just loved to dig and did so for his full 13.5 years - we eventually just learned to accept craters in the driveway after redirecting his efforts from the plants
Sharon
The articles might help you - but remember that dogs dig and chew - just because they are dogs and it is part of being a dog. You can take steps to minimise this however. You may also like to read the book 'Culture Clash' by Jean Donaldson.
A Digging Solution! or Does Your Yard Look Like the Grand Canyon?
http://www.doggiedoor.com/diggings.shtml
http://www2.tpg.com.au/users/rloftus/digging.htm
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/dogdestructive.htm
http://www.healthypet.com/Library/behavior-1.html
I hope you can work through this by being fair to Gina and yourselves. Compromise is not so bad, especially as Gina is still very young and has many years ahead of her. She is a teenager at the moment and will mature, with a bit of training and working through this problem it should gradually lessen as she grows up. In saying that Rebel just loved to dig and did so for his full 13.5 years - we eventually just learned to accept craters in the driveway after redirecting his efforts from the plants
Sharon
Albie
Completely Boxer Crazy
We went through many trying months with our baby girl. Finally, at 9 mos. old we sent her to Dog School. She went every day for two weeks. This was followed up by training the whole family. We found that we needed as much training as Lacy did. We set her up for many of her bad behaviors (not knowingly). For weeks after training we operated under the assumption that "she can't be trusted" even for a minute, and while it was inconvenient when all I wanted to do was run downstairs to get the laundry, I would put her in her crate until I got back. Surprise... not so many bad things were happening any more. And, little by little we have been able to give her more unsupervised freedom around the house, and things are pretty good now. We still have "issues", but I think we're making progress. It takes a lot of patience to raise a puppy... we have had many tears (Lacy chewed the face of my daughter's new stuffed bear just the other day), but they are so worth it!
Thanks to all of you..
Originally posted by Sabrina Jay
Where are you when she is outside destroying the plants?
I was in the house. She is never left out there when we are not at home (she is always crated). But, I guess, I should have been watching her. It can get frustrating being a baby Boxers Mom (as I know you are all aware). She is almost totally housbroken now so I am not watching her constantly anymore. I guess I have been slacking off a bit. I did a search of 'digging' and learned a lot. I think I am going to make her a sand box and see if that works.
Today, because it looks like the Wisteria is okay, and because she slept straight through the night and because she is sooo cute and sweet (most of the time) and because of your kind thoughts and encouragement we feel better! I think we will keep this little incident between us..so if any of you see her Dad don't tell him okay?
Claudia807
Completely Boxer Crazy
Just keep in mind that your Boxer is at a very trying stage! My husband and I always joke that we barely survived the first two years with our Luce-Goose. We have no grass to speak of, and my gardens are in tatters. My own dogs have outgrown the sort of naughtiness that you describe, but we have foster Boxers all the time and they have really wreaked havoc on the gardens. We have a 9 month old foster right now and I caught her gleefully digging up one of my hostas the other day. And this was in just a few seconds outside.
Do you have a dog park nearby? Maybe you could take her and just let her run her brains out. Tired dogs = good dogs. Boxers do seem to get bored so easily.
When Lucy was a pup, I took her to puppy classes. I thought, "Voila! She is trained." Nope! When she hit around 7 months (the same age as your girl), I realized that she was going to be more of a handful than I had anticipated, so off we went for more classes. We still take them to this day (and she is three). She even has a couple of titles and certificates now, so that just goes to show you that training really does pay off.
Do you have a dog park nearby? Maybe you could take her and just let her run her brains out. Tired dogs = good dogs. Boxers do seem to get bored so easily.
When Lucy was a pup, I took her to puppy classes. I thought, "Voila! She is trained." Nope! When she hit around 7 months (the same age as your girl), I realized that she was going to be more of a handful than I had anticipated, so off we went for more classes. We still take them to this day (and she is three). She even has a couple of titles and certificates now, so that just goes to show you that training really does pay off.
dumerili03
Boxer Buddy
Nashville...
i really hope you read Albie's post, as i think she said this,
don't just let her roam, if not for her own safety, than at least for your plants. i'm not familiar with your yard, but in most places she could easily run out in the street, or get in a dog fight or worse. i know that you love your boxer (how could anyone not!?!?), but please be responsible and SUPERVISE! i guarantee you that there are behavior modifications that you could make easily to enable you to keep your boxer. sorry if this sounds blunt.
jim
i really hope you read Albie's post, as i think she said this,
as well as anyone could have. i think this is very pertinent to your situation. i don't think that i am an expert dog owner, but i certainly take the necessary precautions.
WHAT?!? you can absolutely NOT leave your boxer outside while you're inside! they get bored easily, and thus cause a lot of grief (indirectly your fault and preventable). how about a leash while she goes to the bathroom? if she needs exercise, throw her a ball, or take her for a walk, or run with her, there are soooo many options. you'll be amazed that if you keep her entertained (big part of owning a dog) and tire her out, she won't cause you so many problems.
don't just let her roam, if not for her own safety, than at least for your plants. i'm not familiar with your yard, but in most places she could easily run out in the street, or get in a dog fight or worse. i know that you love your boxer (how could anyone not!?!?), but please be responsible and SUPERVISE! i guarantee you that there are behavior modifications that you could make easily to enable you to keep your boxer. sorry if this sounds blunt.
jim
We found something that works for us
My dogs are horribel with plants, it got to where I had to have hanging baskets so they could'nt destroy them . We have found a solution for our dogs, it is called Keep Off. It comes n spray and powder form. It is a deterent to keep pets away from plants. I doesnt work on all dogs, but I would give it a try. Good luck. I know how boxer pups can be as I have a 7 month old as well.
My dogs are horribel with plants, it got to where I had to have hanging baskets so they could'nt destroy them . We have found a solution for our dogs, it is called Keep Off. It comes n spray and powder form. It is a deterent to keep pets away from plants. I doesnt work on all dogs, but I would give it a try. Good luck. I know how boxer pups can be as I have a 7 month old as well.
Re: We found something that works for us
Thanks! We'll give it a try.
A little update..turns out, Wisteria really like to have their roots 'roughed up'. Evidently, it is the recommended treatment if one is having difficulty getting their plant to flower. So, maybe, Gina is a gardener too!
Thanks! We'll give it a try.
A little update..turns out, Wisteria really like to have their roots 'roughed up'. Evidently, it is the recommended treatment if one is having difficulty getting their plant to flower. So, maybe, Gina is a gardener too!
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