I think he's nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marks66772]

I haven't been part of this forum for quite awhile, but my guy is starting to concern me. Jackson is 16 months old, and still has all of his puppy energy. It's like he can't sit still for more than 5 minutes. He runs around like a nut, jumping on furniture and people, until he settles down and flops on the sofa in his spot. Also, no matter what i try, I can't break the habit of jumping on people. No doesn't work, a knee doesn't work. He eventually settles down but it takes awhile. This is when someone comes into our home, or someone gets up froma chair to walk across the room.

Also, he likes to nibble at hands and fingers. I know he won't bite me (I hope), but it is a bit unnerving to visitors. This goes on until he gets the idea of "NO".

Is he nuts, normal, or spoiled. Will he ever be the responsible citizen that we came to know and love with our previous Boxer?

Is it too late for training?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Lael]

Mark,

I am not a canine behaviorist, but it sounds to me that Jackson is not so clear about who is the "alpha" of the household. 16 months is still quite young; it is my understanding that many Boxers do not fully mature until 2-3 years. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

Also, his activity level sounds pretty normal for a young dog. How often do you get him out for exercise? Sounds like he might just need to get out more.

My thought is that it is never too late for training with small issues like this. It sounds to me that you will want to get into a class before this type of behavior gets worse. For the jumping up: I have taught Lael to sit whenever she sees someone new coming toward the house, or coming toward her on walks. There's no commotion, no pulling, nada. Just "sit". It's definately taken a while, but now she will sit and stay (she's still very young, so she can only stay for a few minutes when she is excited ). It might be beneficial to teach Jackson what he should be doing instead of jumping up.

The most important thing I am still learning with regards to training & teaching "manners": consistency & patience.

Hopefully someone with more experience can help you out here. Good luck with Jackson!

Cat & Lael

 

[markandhaley]

asia is five months old and from what your post sounded like, she acts exactly like that! i know shes still a puppy though so i was expecting it anyway.

well we are in training right now and i have seen a little bitt of improvement just through about three sessions!

i say training is never too late especially for the extra hyper =-)

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Never too late for training. Get your dog and you in a class which teaches positive reinforcement techniques or clicker training ASAP. I'm surprised you've put up with this for 16 months without having a complete breakdown!

PS: The knee to the chest trick NEVER works for jumping. Doesn't teach your dog anything except how to avoid your knee.

There are many many threads on jumping, nipping, biting, bite inhibition, guest manners, door manners, etc., etc. right here at Boxerworld. Perhaps if you spend some time with the search engine you could find answers and many positive ways to deal with, train and manage many of the issues you are facing.

Good luck.

 

[marks66772]

Thanks Tulsa-Dan:

When i git home last night, the boy and I were alone, so we had a refresher course on sit- stay. Hyper guy that he is, it was tough for him, but we did get a 30 second stay, so that's a good thing. I guess it's back to basics with Jackson, and show him the way.

 

[basak]

When Tulsa-Dan told me once that a ''no'' doesn't mean anything to a dog, if you use the word for a lot of actions; my whole world changed:D

Training... Krose used to have a very short concentration span but I worked with him everyday, every chance that I had, and it worked... PS: I kept the work times very very short.

basak

 

[2BoxersnOhio]

I saw a tv show once that used a bean bag as a training tool for bad behavior. When a visitor came in, the dog immediately jumped up on the people. It didn't matter how much you said NO or swatted.. it didn't help.

The owner then stood in the background and when someone came through the door the first time, the dog jumped up and the owner tossed the bean bag at the dog's rear. As soon as the bean bag hit, the dog got down and sat. It took twice and the dog understood, somehow, this meant not to jump and didn't do it anymore.

Whether this actually works or not, I have no clue. But I will spend the couple bucks to buy a bean bag and try it.. if it works great! If not.. I'm not out alot of money

Coincedently.. no actually does work for my boxers. Gunner has always been a very good listener and doesn't have any bad habits. And even though Quinsi is only 8 weeks old, he KNOWS when he's in trouble. It's actually very cute and I do hope he keeps this up. Whenever he gets into something he's not supposed to, you tell him NO and he runs over to the corner of the couch and lays down like I'm Being Good Now!

 

[marks66772]

Jumping on people

Training is working. Everyday we work on SIT / STAY. I think he's getting the idea. When someone comes in, it's SIT / STAY . I don't release the STAY command until the people are in the house and seated.

The bean bag is something I hadn't thought, and it seems like a good idea.

Thanks for your replies.