I'm going back to school.....

[Silverstar]

It's been a long time since I've posted...really long. And I apologize up front if this sounds too much like a "poor poor me" bash. But .... I knew of all people the boxerworld family would understand.

So here goes our story.

Now, I have two beautiful and wonderful boxers. One is my male (Ikaika) who is 6 and my female (Mailani) who is 3. I live alone so they are my alarm system. Houston is not exactly the safest city. And yes, I let them bark out the window. They don't bark at everyone, but they do let me know when someone is not familiar.

Ikaika is aggressive towards other male dogs. This is because when he was young he was attacked several times by a chow (who is now gone). He gets along with female and fixed males). And suprisingly...he loves Petsmart and never misbehaves there. So, I don't put him in situations where he gets that aggressive (I keep him away from parks ) Other than this issue he is a perfect angel.

Ok....My girl. Who has been a pistol since the day I got her .. is not such a perfect angel. She has been so hard to train. I've had a hard time with the potty training, the walking (pulling) and even basic commands. Unfortunately...this is COMPLETELY MY FAULT. I didn't have the time I did with my first and her training just never got completed.

Well today she darted out the door and her leash got away from me. Well our neighbor (who knows how she is) was walking her dog and got startled. Lani immediately went for Jazz (her dog) and wanted to play. After I got her lead and took her inside I went back out and apologized and asked if she was ok. She said yes and that every thing was fine and not to worry about it.

Well...things were not fine as it turned out. A few hours later I was clearing out my car and a group of ladies were walking their dogs and the dogs approached me (running) they were trying to say No No, but I said it was ok I have two boxers so I'm used to it. And this is where I'm beating myself up...they said ... and I use quotes.... "Oh..you have the mean dogs". :( Mean? No! They are not mean. Yes, they bark when something or someone does not look right to them (I'm a single gal ... they are my alarm system). Yes, Lani is extremely active and I messed up on her training. But mean...no!

I am really upset over this. So immediately I did what I should have a long time ago. Enroll in obediance training. I am calling the apt complex office in the morning and explaining the situation (just in case). I have been in this complex for 6 + years. The complex has never gotten a complaint about my dogs.

Beyond that I don't know what to do. Am I such a horrible mommy?

 

[Checkers]

Dont be silly You arent a bad mum at all, better late than never to start obedience! They make you feel safe so dont feel bad if they bark at people through the window or 'look' mean. Hah I had a internet repair guy come by today and he saw boxerworld come up and said something about them being agressive dogs. All this while Lily is terrified and shaking on her bed. Just got to let it go! Some people are very ignorant.

Good for you for doing something about it I hope your obedience classes go well

 

[K_J's Dad]

You're not a bad Mom, and don't beat yourself up over the comments. You did good by going to Office cover your bases. My DW keeps the storm door locked whenever I'm not home and she is happy to know that the boys will bark when someone goes by the door. While I was on vacation Kilbane got out when DW had to sign for a package and he scared the Postal Carrier at first, but he helped to get Kilbane back in the house. A few days later the Mail Man had another package to deliver, he remembered our babies and was fine with them. He now knows that they mean no harm.

It's never to late to start classes, good luck.

 

[Silverstar]

Thank you Checkers and K J's Dad, and to my boxer friend Patti (yeah...she hardly posts now too, but we have grown to speak outside of the forum :D). Anyway. I feel better now. I called the complex this morning and explained what happened and the ladies in the office said everything is ok and that nobody has mentioned anything, but they will note it in our file what happened and that no one was hurt. I told them about the obedience classes and they said that would be good (in case anyone does say something).

I also asked them about the barking out the window. They said "as long as it is not a constant bark (all day and all night) there is nothing wrong with it". They understood about feeling safe and they know my dogs and they also have known me for 6 years going on 7 so they understood my feelings and that they have never had any complaints about my babies. Whew! It's just ignorant people. I have to keep reminding myself of those types.

THANK YOU AGAIN!!

 

[Silverstar]

I just thought I'd post an update. We had our first class on Saturday. Ms. Lani Lani....well she made her presence known in the beginning. You know...she did the regular bark, jump, bark bark bark. She was the most vocal. They knew her name after that.

Although it's going to cost me a fortune on treats, I think it's going to work out. We went home and practiced and practiced and still practicing walking and heeling. Our goal (and by "our" I mean MY ) is to show everyone we ROCK!!

 

[sgbtab]

appicon way to go. it's never to late to learn how to behave in public.keep up the good work.it will pay off in tenfolds

 

[MonaC]

We're back in obediance classes for the third time (I HATED the second class and quit early). This time I have a private trainer. Not that Delilah has no manners........ We just were told that she can't do her visits at Moss Rehab (she's a Therapy Dog) because of something that was essentially my fault. She jumped in some lady's bed cause the lady, despite my warnings, kept slapping the bed to get her to put her front legs up so she could reach her. She jumped right up on the bed........ IN FRONT OF A NURSE!!!!! I didn't catch what she was doing fast enough. So......... we are prepping to take the Canine Good Citizen test and the Therapy Dogs International test. By the end of the classes, she should pass both tests (the instructor is a CGC tester and owns Boxers...... perfect for us even though she's over an hour away!!!). When she passes we should be able to go back to Moss, the only Saturday program.

;-) Mo & Delilah

 

[Checkers]

Thats awesome :D I hope it keeps going great for you

 

[talac_121]

I wouldn't call you a bad mom, I say that you were responsible, especially since you acknowledge the fact that you didn't have the same amount of time to train your female. People assume that boxers, and pitt bulls and even bull dogs are mean and are biting dogs. As long as you can show individuals that its all a misconception, then youre doing a fine job. Good luck on the obedience training. Chloe just went to her first one tonight.