need advice, trainer or not?

[Elke]

:mad: :mad: :mad:


Hello Boxerfriends,

I am having major trouble with our second Boxer Max.He's now 7 months old and lately he's forgotten all that we tought him.
He was never completely housetrained, but now it has gotten totally out of hand. He poo...and pees all over the place.
I mean everywhere!
I then restrained him to just one room at a time and that's mostly where I am at, so that I can watch him. yesterday, he jumped on the couch and before I could turn around he had placed the Mississippi River on my couch. I could go on like this, but I will spare you the details.

He also doesn't want to do sit, stay or lie down anymore.
I have to grab him by the collar and stare him in the eyes to finally make Mr. Max lie down. He shows no signs of obedience whatsoever. He barks in the kitchen for water and food. I can't make him stop barking, but I surely do not give him anything when he barks.

I took him out of his crate at night ,because he made a mess in it almost every day. He now sleeps in the kidsroom, which works out ok. I have tried the treats method, I have tried to ignore him and I have tried the tough way in grabbing him by the collar and shouting at him. That seemed to work for a while but doesn't anymore.

My last hope would be a trainer, although the money would definately hurt my budget now. Is it anything else I can do?

I have absolutely no problem with my female Boxer (2Y.)

Thanks for your advice , Elke

 

[JulieM]

First I would recommend a thorough vet check - inappropriate elimination can be the sign of a medical problem. Assuming all checks out OK there, I'd say it sounds like Max is entered adolescence! You should definitely keep working on his obedience (and I recommend avoiding "alpha" practices like grabbing his face, rolling him on his back and holding him down, scruff shakes, etc. See this article for the why: http://www.clickandtreat.com/alpha.htm)

You should also be working on leadership exercises - here are a few articles on that:

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/dance.txt
http://www.goof.com/~pmurphy/NILIF.html

Also, Carol Lea Benjamin's book How to Survive Your Dog's Adolescence will proably be helpful to you (along with, as always, Jean Donaldson's The Culture Clash).

 

[ninersneal]

I have been reading Stanley Coren's book "How to Speak Dog" and find some of his comments interesting. One instance of a dog urinating was because of its lack of self confidence. He suggested that the dog was urinating because it was trying to portray itself as an "insignificant puppy".
I would, as Julie suggested, making sure the dog doesn't have any medical problems and then purchasing a book such as "the Culture Clash". I am doing so myself and have really found information is these books to be very helpful. good luck!

 

[Elke]

Thanks ,

I will probably get the books first. At this point, I am willing to do anything it takes!

By the way, Max had been checked just a couple of weeks ago and is perfectly fine. They told me to start potty training all over again, and it would be better. But it's not!

The other issues weren't existing then, so I didn't discuss them with the Vet. It's funny , but I can not picture the idea of the 'worthless puppy'. I think Max is tending to show bossy behaviour, rather than the other way.
He is also not the least bit afraid of punishment or loud voices etc.
So it's naturally very hard for me to correct him or stop him from doing bad things. He thinks it's all a big game.

Well, maybe the book will help me understand.bookicon

Elke Max and Chucky 7m + 2y