Is my pup an emo?

[xayden]

i bought Leo about 4 days ago, and from the get go he seemed really mellow, almost TOO melow. He dosnt bark or whine at night even on his first night away from his mom (not that im complaining) but he dosnt bark or make one peep! lways play along with me or have as much energy as some of the other 7-9 week old pups i read about here and he wont always follow me or listen to me. Sometimes when he does something bad ill scold him or spank him and he'll just go into his box, lay there, and stare at me with these really sad shiny eyes!

As a matter-a-fact i read that boxers are supposed to be very playful and loyal and make great companions, but Leo prefers his rawhide bone all to his lonesome self in his box! even when i try to play with him, he'll just sit there and look at me as if im a fool! haha.

Is this normal for a puppy? or is he going threw some sort of a depression this early on. what can i do to get him to open up to me?

 

[jrackow]

If you've only had him a few days, he's probably just adjusting to his surroundings. Not to mention, he's really, really little, still. He'll start warmnig up to you as he gets used to his new environment. Don't worry!

...and for us, verbal scolding does make Mojo kind of mad at us, and he hides under the couch for awhile, . Dogs have feelings, too! it's normal.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

How old is he? From you saying 7-9 week old puppy I'm assuming he's very little. It's very normal for puppies not to bark, etc at that age. They play yes but they sleep a lot too as they're still VERY little. Also they are all different. My boy was never and still isn't off the wall hyper (none of my Boxers have been actually), so they all have their own personalities, some more hyper than others. Some bark, some don't, it really just depends on the individual dog (Boxer or not).

Give him time, he'll come around.

Also, on a side note, having nothing to do with this, I'd skip the rawhides, if you do a search or check in the feeding section you'll find countless threads about how unhealthy and dangerous they are.

 

[kayboxer]

Scolding is one thing, spaking is another. Your really should not hit your dog. They know by your voice is they have done something wrong, they don't need to be hit. Why don't you see if there is a local kennel club in your area that has a puppy kindergarden class. It's great socialization for the puppy, and you can learn how to properly teach your pup without spanking.

 

[Caney Creek]

Sometimes when he does something bad ill scold him or spank him and he'll just go into his box, lay there, and stare at me with these really sad shiny eyes!

I think you ought to settle down with the scolding -- especially the physical punishments. At 8 weeks old he's basically the equivalent of a child less than a year old. He's in a brand new environment, away from his mom and littermates for the very first time. And on top of that, he does not understand english. He has NO idea that he's doing something wrong -- he's just being a puppy, playing the only way he knows how. And then out of nowhere he gets a punishment. Wouldn't you feel a little depressed too?

The best way to train your puppy is with constant supervision and positive reinforcement. Whenever he cannot be supervised, he should be in his crate. Otherwise, you have to catch him before he does something inappropriate, like chew on the furniture or get into the trash. The better job you do at keeping him AWAY from those bad behaviors while he's a puppy, the less likely he will be to continue those behaviors as an adult. Basically, once he knows something is there, he's more likely to get into it over and over. Distract him with plenty of safe puppy toys and chews, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, like basic training (sit, down, shake, stay, etc.) during the day. That way he'll be less likely to create his own fun, because he'll be tired from all of the GOOD things he's been doing.

 

[ThunderRoll]

I agree with Caney Creek on settling down on the scoldings. Thor is three years old and anytime my DH raises his voice at one of the boys he runs in his crate. Thor does not like loud noises or voices. At one point Thor would not come in the house for any of the boys because if he didn't listen the first time they would yell at him. I always had to get him in the house. I definitely wouldn't spank him. You don't want him to be scared of you. Thor listens just as good when I talk to him. Plus as the others said you still have a tiny baby on your hands.

 

[moxie]

positive reinforcement only! hes too young to realise whats wrong...show him whats right and praise him for that
its hard sometimes but ya cant get mad
hell turn around
better for a boxer to get really happy and unshy when hes young
iv seen shy older boxers and theyre very odd and out of place
boxers are usually super happy super loving attentive lively friendly loyal dogs
gl

 

[jrackow]

ditto on the rawhides. I didn't know that, and gave my puppy one, and he had diarrhea for days.

 

[xayden]

ok by rawhides, i mean the white ones. not the dark brown ones. same diffrence or is one better?

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

ok by rawhides, i mean the white ones. not the dark brown ones. same diffrence or is one better?

No, they're both very dangerous (can cause intestional blockage in which surgery is required many times, also are chemically treated, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastric issues as well) as well as unhealthy. Stick with raw meaty bones, Nylabones, Hurley Bones, stuffed Kongs, tire biters, etc.