New boxer owner needs training!!

[Cainsmommy]

My husband and I went to a party last night. Well They knew we have a Boxer and love him to death. So This young guy says I just rescued a boxer--He was a beautiful boy. Fawn, flashy. docked and floppy. He could've been Cain's twin. I was so glad he rescued him wonderful..But then he had absolutely no control over him, the pup was on a regular collar and leash. There was a lot of people around him so naturally he was just wanting to go say hi. Well everytime he lunged at someone. the owner jerked him back hard!! And there was no correction or anything just a nice hard yank. I bit my lip.. thinking ok just this once..nope he kept doing it harder and harder then got mad at the poor boy cause he wasn't listening. Then he asked us if Cain ever barked or growled at us..Nope, he is a good listener when playing he knows when we say gentle to be gentle....He started to tell us that his boy doesn't listen until he has to smack him and then he said he punched him in and the dog barked and growled at him...jeez i think i would too! Well then he showed us how they play..I was shocked..he smacked the dog in the muzzle several times(not hard-but still) until the dog got on his hind legs and started to box him..while growling and barking..-this didn't look like playtime. it looked like the dog was like back off.. I mean kudos for rescuing the pup..but is he any better in your care? then he said how the dog gets no exercise cause he didn't have a yard?! I just felt so bad for this boy..I actually had to walk away when they were "playing" I couldn't take the smacking. We don't play like that with our dogs..does anyone? I was even telling the guy about the prong collars and the different kinds of training tools they have and was even raving about going to dog school..but he was like I have a shock collar and when that doesn't I just smack him till he listens...I don't know how this makes you feel..but I was so angry with that guy..My husband was just like he's a dumb kid he doesn't know any better..uuggghhhhh...I wish I could've brought him home with me!!!
When we rescued Comet my lab we had to go thru such a process to make sure we were suitable "Parents" for him. we actually got turned down 2x before we got him. I was pregnant at the time and they felt that was be to much change for him to be adopted then have a baby. but anyway I still can't believe this kid was a suitable parent?!?!? just had to get this off my chest..when I got home last night my boys got extra hugs..

 

[bayleighmom]

And it's owners like this that mistreat and then give their dogs up because "they are uncontrollable".

 

[Louise501]

That would have sickened me, I would've said something. It is so awful to see an animal being mistreated or worse abused. What an idiot :(

 

[DrakeCider]

Wonder if he was smacked if he would still wanna play? Always amazes me at some people's logic, You get the same reactions weather its a human or a furball. Since he rescued the pup, could call the rescue organization and fill them in on whats going on. Sounds like the pup would be better off at the rescue place then his home.

 

[nikasdot]

I would like put that shock collar on him and see if he changes his tune

 

[daizysmom]

It makes me sick to my stomach!!! How can a person treat an animal like that? They are completely helpless!

 

[LILYLARUE]

Next time, take a cattle prod with you and just approach him, smack him in the mouth a few times and then shock him with the prod when he comes at you!

Then say, "Awe come on, don't be such a sensitive jerk, this how all people should great each other!"

Then get right on the phone and turn him in to the rescue place and the aspca!

Young kid or not, it's abuse and any normal person would understand that!

If it were me.............I would have taken the dog and told him he can have him back when HE receives obedience training!

 

[BrudisBoy]

Maybe you could point him in the direction of the board. He was so up front on all of these things that maybe it's just the way he's been taught. People take for granted that all of the things we do and don't do with our dogs just comes naturally, but I have learned so much from the internet and especially these boards.

(just a thought)

 

[Indy's mom]

Maybe you could point him in the direction of the board. He was so up front on all of these things that maybe it's just the way he's been taught. People take for granted that all of the things we do and don't do with our dogs just comes naturally, but I have learned so much from the internet and especially these boards.

Excellent point! While I agree that he is not doing the right thing with this pup by any means, hostility won't win him over or teach him to be kinder, more humane with his pup.

BrudisBoy is probably right that this young man thinks he is doing the right thing with this dog, otherwise I doubt that he would be so quick to demonstrate his methods to you. You might want to pick up or direct him to a few books by Jan Fennell or Patricia McConnell. It would also be helpful to suggest a good puppy training class.

The more you interact with him in a positive manner, play dates for the dogs, walking the dogs together or sharing classes, books, the better chance that both the young man will learn the proper behavior with a dog.

Good luck!
Sandy

 

[Eckhart]

I agree also. He may not know that what he is doing is wrong. Some people think that Boxers
are like Pit Bulls. I get a lot of people ask if Cash will bite and say he is a pretty Pit. It may
be as simple as him now knowing how to play with a dog or that boxers need a lot of exercise.
Would you feel comfortable in setting up a play date and show the kid how to play and lead by
example? You might not know him well enough for something like that, but it sounds like the
owner needs the training and not the dog.