We brought home our new baby Trinity last week, and needless to say we've been very busy. She seems to be really sweet-usually. All she wants to do is sit on your chest and sleep most of the time. Today though, she was trying to fall asleep and my boyfriend was messing with her, trying to keep her awake because she cries in her crate all night long, and she growled and snapped at his nose in a very viscious way. He was by no means hurting her, but she was really mad. She has also been very mean to my 6 year old daughter and my 6 month old Shih Tzu Gracie. I knew she was aggresive when we picked her, but she was the smallest of the litter and she had to be aggressive to get food and attention from mom. She was born in a really great environment, so I don't think that has anything to do with it. Do you think this will be part of her personality, or do you think she'll grow out of it? Please help, I'm getting concerned.
my new baby is mean
- Thread starter kelbel1
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LAYLAMOMMY24
Super Boxer
I cant say for sure. I only have one boxer and we got her when she was 8 wks old she was very off to herself when we got her. But a feisty streak in her with growling and jumping at you. But was never shy about meeting someone. Now she just turned 1yr old. She still wants to meet everyone. She talks back alot and if we try to move her when she is sleeping she will let out a little low growl. She has never snapped and I dont think she ever would. She did bite us alot when she was little it is how they play they dont realize they hurt you. Our thing was owww really loud to this day if I say it she gets all low onl the ground and then comes up to me and kisses me. If the honey and I are arguring she usually has to chime in and bark. She loves to bark. She is the most outgoing dog I have owned though.
puppies need thier sleep they should be left alone to nap as far as the crate it takes time and are ya sure she is being mean or just puppy play they do sound mean my scout 3 months sounds like a badger when he is playing and gets realy wild .call your breeder and ask if this is normal puppy play
good luck ann
good luck ann
Tulsa-Dan
Your Friendly Moderator
Ever heard of the expression "Let sleeping dogs lie?" Well, your husband is at fault here. The dog was tired and wanted to sleep and your husband was making that impossible. The dog did what the dog does naturally to get him to leave her alone. Enough said?
I suggest getting some training books immediately. Please check out our book forum for some excellent selections which will help you to train your dog, get your dog thru the puppy phase and make sure that the dog doesn't grow up expressing herself in an aggressive manner. You also need to teach your children how to deal with a puppy. They need training as well. It isn't fair to expect a puppy to just "take" all that kids can dish out. It is very foreign to them and they just don't understand that kids are not littermates until we guide them into their proper position in the pack.
Two books I suggest are "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell and "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson.
Good luck.
I suggest getting some training books immediately. Please check out our book forum for some excellent selections which will help you to train your dog, get your dog thru the puppy phase and make sure that the dog doesn't grow up expressing herself in an aggressive manner. You also need to teach your children how to deal with a puppy. They need training as well. It isn't fair to expect a puppy to just "take" all that kids can dish out. It is very foreign to them and they just don't understand that kids are not littermates until we guide them into their proper position in the pack.
Two books I suggest are "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell and "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson.
Good luck.
VTbxrFan
Boxer Insane
My family got my first boxer puppy when I was 7 years old. I still very clearly remember the first thing my siblings and I were taught before getting the puppy: when the puppy is sleeping, leave her alone; when the puppy walks away from you, leave her alone; when the puppy is eating, leave her alone. So I agree that your boyfriend brought that on. I know I get very, very grouchy when I'm ready to go to sleep and people don't let me!
Boxer_21
Boxer Insane
You should also keep in mind that puppies are very much like babies in the sense that they need their sleep. While it is nice to have them sleep through the night, it's not what's in their best interest to keep them awake. Especially when they're showing that they want to go to sleep.
Personally, if my boys want to sleep they're allowed to do so. If it means my having to get up in the middle of the night or early the following morning, then oh well. IMHO, that's just part of the privelage of being owned by a dog.
I was also taught at a young age to respect all animals big and small. When they're eating, sleeping, or showing signs that they don't want to be bothered it's only fair and proper that we don't bother them. Giving them respect and their own space is very important.
Pushing them until they "snap" is definitely a very bad idea. This is especially true with puppies who right now are learning the proper ways to behave. Urging them act out in this manner (by bugging them when they want to rest) will bring nothing but bad results and behavior issues later on down the road. This is especially something to be concerned about as this dog will not be small forever and you also have children in the house to consider.
I think that you should enroll yourself and your puppy (other family members as well if possible) into a puppy course. This will teach you the proper way to handle such situations and of course it will offer your puppy a chance to socialize which is also very important. If things don't improve, maybe you could check into a behaviorist who is different from a normal obedience trainer and will be more qualified to handle behavioral issues.
Good luck!!
- Mandy
Personally, if my boys want to sleep they're allowed to do so. If it means my having to get up in the middle of the night or early the following morning, then oh well. IMHO, that's just part of the privelage of being owned by a dog.
I was also taught at a young age to respect all animals big and small. When they're eating, sleeping, or showing signs that they don't want to be bothered it's only fair and proper that we don't bother them. Giving them respect and their own space is very important.
Pushing them until they "snap" is definitely a very bad idea. This is especially true with puppies who right now are learning the proper ways to behave. Urging them act out in this manner (by bugging them when they want to rest) will bring nothing but bad results and behavior issues later on down the road. This is especially something to be concerned about as this dog will not be small forever and you also have children in the house to consider.
I think that you should enroll yourself and your puppy (other family members as well if possible) into a puppy course. This will teach you the proper way to handle such situations and of course it will offer your puppy a chance to socialize which is also very important. If things don't improve, maybe you could check into a behaviorist who is different from a normal obedience trainer and will be more qualified to handle behavioral issues.
Good luck!!
- Mandy
BooBoo & Riley
Completely Boxer Crazy
In additions to what others have already said, I am also concerned by your comment that you knew she was aggressive when you picked her...
If you really felt that she was aggressive, then why did you pick her? And if you brought her home knowing she was aggressive, then I hope you will make every effort to train her and let her know that being aggressive won't help her please her family.
I think you situation isn't too abnormal in terms of puppyhood, so I hope you don't take everyone's advice too personally. Just get her and your whole family committed to good training. Remember that the joy of a puppy is not just having a cute puppy, but also having a well trained puppy and an understanding household.
I want to thank everyone for their opinions and expertise. My real concern here though is if this is common to the boxer breed. I apologize if I wasn't clear enough. She may just sound meaner than she really is-but I would like to know since my boyfriend and I have never owned (or been owned by) a dog of this breed. Weve both very successfully raised other puppies before. There isn't a thing I would change about the behavior of our Shih Tzu Gracie. Nor would I change the way she was raised-in a very loving environment. We plan to raise Trinity in the same loving and caring environment. I am fully aware of the main personality descriptions of the boxer(I made sure I read up on that), and I am also aware that all puppies have their own personalies. I would like to know if anyone who is owned by a boxer has experienced this with their puppies. Like I said, she is usually a very sweet dog, but when she plays she seems to become very loud and viscious sounding. She has only snapped at us a few times, which in some cases, may have been our fault.
Thanks Again
Kelly and Trinity
Thanks Again
Kelly and Trinity
lorishields
Boxer Booster
Boxers can be assertive, but aggressiveness is NOT part of the boxer breed. They can be very headstrong and must be taught as early as possible that some of their actions are NOT appropriate. I agree with other posters, the sooner you learn what boxers do and don't do (since they are VERY different from Shi-tzus) the sooner you can learn what you should and shouldn't do around your boxer.
I would definitely get a book specifically about boxers to start. Not all breeds act alike and you must treat them accordingly. Then I'd work on training ASAP!
Boxers may be a little more work than small, fluffy dogs, but don't give up, they are WORTH every ounce of energy! The sooner the training starts, the more they'll listen when they're 70lbs!
In rescue, there are so many animals who are turned in due to 'mis-behaving'. The is NOT the dog's fault. The owners have not spent the time to train the dog and then 'they grow so fast, they aren't as cute as they used to be.' These dogs end up outside because they are so 'unruly' that the owners don't want them in the house.
I didn't mean to turn this into a lecture...but the sooner the better!:D
I would definitely get a book specifically about boxers to start. Not all breeds act alike and you must treat them accordingly. Then I'd work on training ASAP!
Boxers may be a little more work than small, fluffy dogs, but don't give up, they are WORTH every ounce of energy! The sooner the training starts, the more they'll listen when they're 70lbs!
In rescue, there are so many animals who are turned in due to 'mis-behaving'. The is NOT the dog's fault. The owners have not spent the time to train the dog and then 'they grow so fast, they aren't as cute as they used to be.' These dogs end up outside because they are so 'unruly' that the owners don't want them in the house.
I didn't mean to turn this into a lecture...but the sooner the better!:D
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