Leash crazies (sorry it's long)

[BarbaraCT]

Hi there. We are having a problem with what we like to call the "leash crazies". Penny is five months old and since the day we brought her home she is great on the leash all day (walks, potty breaks, etc.) but....it gets to the last potty break of the day before the crate for bed (about 8:00 p.m.) and all hell breaks loose. Every single night.

She will throw herself up in the air, down to the grass and flip in every direction possible - all the while she is trying to jump at me (or my husband) with her teeth bared. Usually we will just ignore her by standing still and not engaging her and let her wear herself out and then bring her back inside to bed (it takes about 10 minutes every night).

Well, tonight she scared the heck out of me. She was unusually "crazy" and while I was standing still I suddenly realized I had her whole leash in my hand - she had slipped out of her collar. She realized it in the same instant when I looked at her and she tried to bolt past me. We have a steep hill in our front yard and I have really bad knees - so it would have been ugly (her recall is 20% at best so far) to say the least.

She lunged forward and I stuck my foot out and when she tripped over it, I grabbed the scruff of her neck. Needless to say she didn't like that one bit and it started to bite and scratch at my forearm wildly. It took about 15 minutes to get her collar back on (one handed on a 44 pound puppy) and back into the house.

What does she do? Goes directly into her crate like nothing happened and was snoring within 60 seconds. Meanwhile, I'm bleeding from 3 different spots on my arm and one of my fingernails was ripped off.

So, I guess my questions are - does anyone else experience these crazies and what do you do? Can anyone recommend a different collar? I will shorten it a little tomorrow since she can obviously slip out of it.

We have tried using praise, treats and a good romp in the backyard before the last potty break, to motivate her or tire her out, but nothing else seems to work. She really scared me tonight and I'm just trying to find out from other boxer parents what else I can do.

Thanks in advance.

Barbara

 

[larrygs]

I think what your pup is doing is the same as Layla's "zoomies." For months, she would go crazy every night just before bedtime. Her zoomies were in the house. High speed laps around the furniture, over the furniture, over the bed, whereever, occasionally "attacking" us. It was her last burst of play for the day. We got used to it, and but kept it managed. Realize that while their teeth may be bared it really is play to them. However attacking us is not acceptable, nor is being on or flying over the furniture and we trained accordingly.

Another thought is the amount of exercise your pup gets. With Layla, walks are not enough. We go several times a week, (nearly every day), to the park where she can run. It is often stated a tired boxer is a happy boxer. It helps, but even so, she still had zoomies.

Saying all that, Layla has pretty much grown out of zoomies. She will often get more playful before bedtime, and occasionally goes crazy on the leash, but nothing like before. So hang in there, keep up the training, I expect the crazyness will pass.

Pulling out of a collar is another issue. Unfortunately, Layla learned that if she lowers her head, and pulls back while I am walking forward she might just get her collar off. She will then teasingly look at me and bolt. Believe me, I know the panic when your pup runs off without collar or tags. Fortunately, she returns within a minute on her own, usually with a strafing run or two past me. Pure fun for her. Your pup may be quick to learn how to pull out of her collar as well.

To prevent it would require her collar to be tighter than I want. So I just try to stay alert knowing she has learned how to do this. Basically I don't inadvertently pull on the leash when her head is lowered.

Good luck!

 

[LILYLARUE]

I can suggest a martingale collar, or use a harness instead. The martingale tightens up if pulled but doesn't choke them. If they try to back out of it, it tightens up even more. I love these collars.

There is one company that I have bought 6 from now. They are very stylish and very sturdy and will last years. I just like to change it up day to day so they aren't stuck in the same one everyday. It's from "Wiggles, Wags & Wiskers " and comes in 1" up to 4". I like it cause when the dogs pull, it seems to put less stress on their necks. I bought the 2" size for the boxer. They are pricey compared to the commercial store ones, but they are made extremely well and are very reliable in use.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Sorry, typo......collars are 1" - 2".

They also make no-pull harnesses in several styles.

Check their website for stores in your area or on-line shopping stores are listed as well.

 

[Boxeruahua]

When looking for a boxer i ran across several sites that suggest using the harness instead. Due to their head shape normal collars will be easy to slip out of. Putting something behind their legs may take a little adjusting i would suggest you find one that fits properly and let them wear it for a few hours each day and for walking. Then when they feel at ease and you feel more comfortable putting it on, move to just using it for walks. I keep a regular collar on mine as well. Just for his tags and id. This also stopped him from biting his leash and taking us for the walk. hehe

Also for a puppy i think i saw on here that a head harness might work well too. I havent used one but it looks to slip over the mouth. The dog was still able to eat treats so i assume it doesnt restrict the mouth that much but maybe enough to keep from injuring you. The pictures and article is here Boxers and Head Halters

Hope that helps ya some how.

 

[BarbaraCT]

I think what your pup is doing is the same as Layla's "zoomies." For months, she would go crazy every night just before bedtime. Her zoomies were in the house. High speed laps around the furniture, over the furniture, over the bed, whereever, occasionally "attacking" us. It was her last burst of play for the day. We got used to it, and but kept it managed. Realize that while their teeth may be bared it really is play to them. However attacking us is not acceptable, nor is being on or flying over the furniture and we trained accordingly.

Another thought is the amount of exercise your pup gets. With Layla, walks are not enough. We go several times a week, (nearly every day), to the park where she can run. It is often stated a tired boxer is a happy boxer. It helps, but even so, she still had zoomies.

Saying all that, Layla has pretty much grown out of zoomies. She will often get more playful before bedtime, and occasionally goes crazy on the leash, but nothing like before. So hang in there, keep up the training, I expect the crazyness will pass.

Pulling out of a collar is another issue. Unfortunately, Layla learned that if she lowers her head, and pulls back while I am walking forward she might just get her collar off. She will then teasingly look at me and bolt. Believe me, I know the panic when your pup runs off without collar or tags. Fortunately, she returns within a minute on her own, usually with a strafing run or two past me. Pure fun for her. Your pup may be quick to learn how to pull out of her collar as well.

To prevent it would require her collar to be tighter than I want. So I just try to stay alert knowing she has learned how to do this. Basically I don't inadvertently pull on the leash when her head is lowered.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your post. I really hope this passes soon. I'm now afraid of letting my 10 year old take her out at night because when she jumps, she's taller than he is!

We are now walking a mile in the late morning with 2 20 minute play sessions (complete with boxer burns!) in the afternoon and early evening so hopefully soon it will all tire her out, (cause I'm exhausted!)

 

[BarbaraCT]

I can suggest a martingale collar, or use a harness instead. The martingale tightens up if pulled but doesn't choke them. If they try to back out of it, it tightens up even more. I love these collars.

There is one company that I have bought 6 from now. They are very stylish and very sturdy and will last years. I just like to change it up day to day so they aren't stuck in the same one everyday. It's from "Wiggles, Wags & Wiskers " and comes in 1" up to 4". I like it cause when the dogs pull, it seems to put less stress on their necks. I bought the 2" size for the boxer. They are pricey compared to the commercial store ones, but they are made extremely well and are very reliable in use.

Thank you! I will check their website out today. I had heard of a martingale collar, but never researched it, so I will today. I was afraid that the harness might cause her to pull even more, but the martingale collar sounds like it might be a great alternative.

 

[BarbaraCT]

When looking for a boxer i ran across several sites that suggest using the harness instead. Due to their head shape normal collars will be easy to slip out of. Putting something behind their legs may take a little adjusting i would suggest you find one that fits properly and let them wear it for a few hours each day and for walking. Then when they feel at ease and you feel more comfortable putting it on, move to just using it for walks. I keep a regular collar on mine as well. Just for his tags and id. This also stopped him from biting his leash and taking us for the walk. hehe

Also for a puppy i think i saw on here that a head harness might work well too. I havent used one but it looks to slip over the mouth. The dog was still able to eat treats so i assume it doesnt restrict the mouth that much but maybe enough to keep from injuring you. The pictures and article is here Boxers and Head Halters

Hope that helps ya some how.

Thank you so much for the information. I'm pretty much willing to try everything once. I have seen the halti's and may try that too!

 

[jrackow]

We didn't have a name for it, but Mojo does exactly the same thing, only not just at bedtime. He, too, has escaped from his collar. It's scary! The best thing we can do is stand there and ignore him. Sometimes it takes a long time, but he eventually gets over it. I think he just wants attention, and when he *finally* realizes we aren't giving it to him, he stops. It's annoying, but he's doing it less and less now.