Help/suggestions please

[RubyDoo]

I figured some of you can help me out. Our Ruby is 14 months old. She is a jewel and we just love her, but......recently she has been getting into stuff. My husband has been working at home because he fractured his knee. So, he is limited to what he can do w/ his crutches. During the day, it's just him and Ruby and our older lab. Anyway, While he is on conference calls, or just busy working, She gets into things. The other day she stood up by the counter andd pulled my husband's water bottle off and chewed it up. She also tried to chew up my Starbucks coffee mug....but failed...lucky her. Today, she tore up a plant, shredded a book, pooped upstairs in the bedroom, and picked on our lab. Now, I'm figuring she is bored, and that is when boxers get in trouble. Is that right? Does anyone have any suggestion on what my husband can do to keep her busy? I filled her kong today before I left for work, but she cleaned that in 20 min. And I hate to have her in her crate.
What is the best thing to do???

Thank you so much for your help in advance!

 

[brwneyesk8]

It took her 20 minutes to clear out a kong??? Man Porter flies through a peanut butter filled Kong in about 5!!! LOL
Anyway on to your concerns.....hehe sorry about that....
My first thought is how much exercise does she get? Another thought I had (and keep in mind I'm no trainer) is wondering if she had tried to get into everything before your husband had to start staying home or does he work from home all the time? If this is new....she may be trying to get his attention (good or bad) since he's home he's supposed to entertain her, right? that could be what she's thinking. It's also possible that you have to crate train her all over again. (gee that's always fun ). How are you and your husband about dog proofing before you leave for work or before he goes on his conference calls? If he has calls he could always try putting a bed for her near his desk with some toys.....Her behavior could be jealousy that he's not playing with her or she could just be extremely bored. I'll think on it some more. Keep me posted!!!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

If in your husband's condition he cannot maintain an eye on the dog, he should crate her. A conference call is not an all day affair and the dog won't "suffer" by being in the crate for 30 minutes or an hour or so. Anytime I can't supervise my pup, he is put in the crate with lots of toys and kongs filled with goodies, etc.

Yes, the dog is bored and is seeking attention. Puppies especially want constant attention. And we can't always give it to them. So better safe than sorry and we sure don't want the dog getting into something that could possibly harm her.

Good luck.

 

[moira]

Our Holly was just like this when we first rescued her. We would come into all sorts of disasters. She always managed to open the fridge and eat what she could reach. Then she would start on the other rooms. Eventually I decided to confine her to the kitchen. Lucky for me she had a fear of the ironing board as it fell on top of her once. Now I put that in front of the fridge and remove all things which she can reach. you wouldnt believe the things this boxer has been able to get a hold off !!! Now , apart from the dishwasher which she occasionally opens, things are ok. If she is confined to one room it is a lot easier to doggy proof it. Good Luck.

 

[Pudge]

Bored Boxer!

This is standard obnoxious bored boxer behavior. I would take the puppy for a long walk everyday. I would confine the dog to a pet-proofed room or crate when not in direct eye view (my baby has to always be watched) and supply him with lots of toys. When I really need a little time to work on a project I will often lock the puppy in the room with me with a special bone (a special bone that he loves only given as a treat once in awhile) or a pigs ear. It keeps him pretty intensely focused for a little while. When our big puppy is particularly wild a few days in a row one of us will get up first thing in the morning and play fetch and play with him until he is pooped. We will give him lots of toys for the daytime and a Nylabone, then a long walk when we get home. We also set aside a little time every day to work on reward based obedience training. He likes the treats and for whatever reason it really reinforces good behavior and he is really well behaved after and eager to please. Just some things that have worked for us! Boxers are wonderful but definelty high maintenance children! I have also noticed that boxers really seem to mellow out and become more adult after about 3 years. Yes, they are still crazy beans, but just not as destructive or nosey. Try to enjoy the younger years and get through them!

Robyn

 

[lillys7]

I'm for the attention thing. If either of us are home and doing something other then paying attention, Guinness is definitely going to get into something...I've been working on baby blankets and he has gotten into and unraveled all my yarn. If I'm on the computer he will find SOMETHING to get into...I hear him banging downstairs right now ...gotta go!!!

 

[Thomas Liggin]

Indy is a perfect gentleman. He just does not get into mischief. He does not get into things, period. Ava, ........... well, that's a whole 'nother story.

Ava, though she is the less active of the two, does constantly get into mischief. She still likes digging out in the yard. While she has not wrecked a remote in about a year, if she can get ahold of a CD, preferably still in the case, she will shred the case, and perforate the CD. So we keep them out of reach.

When we are not in the house, they are confined to the kitchen. There isn't much for her to get into, though she will pull placemats from their basket on the baker's rack. If we leave a clothes basket in the kitchen, she can be counted on to pull a few of the garments from the basket.

She always has her brother Indy with her, and plenty of toys, but she still has a penchant for mischief. She is gradually improving. Indy was trustworthing from about eight month's of age.

When we are leaving the home, for however brief a time, they are crated.


Tom

 

[brwneyesk8]

Moira I LOVE that idea with the ironing board!!! HAHA That is so true!! Porter is afraid of any chair or table lying on it's side...for no reason that I know of...so it's pretty easy to barricade him somewhere while I'm cleaning or packing. HAHA I feel better knowing I'm not the only one that barricades my pup!!!

 

[RubyDoo]

Thanks everyone! I loved hearing how your boxers are ornery too. How funny.
I agree, I think she's trying to get atttention because she's bored. Today, Ruby had a much better day. I was relieved to hear that today when I got home. I had a shank bone ready for Ruby to chew on which kept her busy. My husband also took time to play ball for awhile w/ her.
YOu know, this is interesting, for for about 2 weeks, my husband was in bed,all day w/ his leg up. And Ruby stayed snuggled right up to him. He was so proud that Ruby was finally "his" dog. This week, he started working in the office, at home.....which means Ruby didn't get his 100% attention. Smart dog, huh??
FYI: He usually works outside of the home, but because of his crutches, he had to work from hom. Ruby is usually crated during the day.

 

[Shanz]

maybe shes just having too much freedom? I know shes not exactly a "puppy" but 14 months is still young and by the sounds of it she has the run of the house