Jade'sMommie
Boxer Pal
I'm new to the rescue world and I'm looking for any advice/guidance on how to train our new boy to our family. Copper is 2 years old, and he was surrender by a family with 6 children and a husband who was leaving to Iraq. Apparently he was a house dog for awhile, but the last 2 or 3 months he was banished to the back yard for various reasons.
Anyway, our first night (last Saturday) we had natural nervous issues. He pee'd in the house and even threw up a few times, but after that he's seemed pretty settled. He and my baby girl Jade (she's 1 1/2 and I've had her since she was 4 months) seem to get a long great...sort of. Lately there's seems to be a lot more wrestling and humping of sorts and I realize it's the whole Alpha dog game that's going on, but I don't want either of them to get hurt and I'm looking for good corrective methods to use. Also, I'm having a hard time distinguishing play and aggression. Generally if I hear a growl or if they get too rough, I seperate them, but should I even let them rough play at all? Jade is very disciplined and she stops when I say stop, but Copper has become a little definiant and has began to somewhat nip or mouth at me. I'll tell him "No" but he'll nip and run as if he's scared I'm going to hit him (which is not even an option) oh...and he's also began to bark at me.
I'm looking at getting him into obdience training ASAP, but other than that, what other home training do you suggest? Also, should Jade attend the training as well? This guy has had a rough life, you can see it in his eyes, and the last thing I want to do is give up on him, especially considering it's only been a week. I want him to remain a part of our family, but I do need some advice.
Any information/guidance would be greatly appreciated. Oh...and what area is that NILF board located?
Anyway, our first night (last Saturday) we had natural nervous issues. He pee'd in the house and even threw up a few times, but after that he's seemed pretty settled. He and my baby girl Jade (she's 1 1/2 and I've had her since she was 4 months) seem to get a long great...sort of. Lately there's seems to be a lot more wrestling and humping of sorts and I realize it's the whole Alpha dog game that's going on, but I don't want either of them to get hurt and I'm looking for good corrective methods to use. Also, I'm having a hard time distinguishing play and aggression. Generally if I hear a growl or if they get too rough, I seperate them, but should I even let them rough play at all? Jade is very disciplined and she stops when I say stop, but Copper has become a little definiant and has began to somewhat nip or mouth at me. I'll tell him "No" but he'll nip and run as if he's scared I'm going to hit him (which is not even an option) oh...and he's also began to bark at me.
I'm looking at getting him into obdience training ASAP, but other than that, what other home training do you suggest? Also, should Jade attend the training as well? This guy has had a rough life, you can see it in his eyes, and the last thing I want to do is give up on him, especially considering it's only been a week. I want him to remain a part of our family, but I do need some advice.
Any information/guidance would be greatly appreciated. Oh...and what area is that NILF board located?
So try not to let his past color your training. 
he doesnt know how else to act. So basically, when a dog acts in a way that you dont like, the best thing to do is teach them an acceptable behavior and then they know what to do in such situations. This one-on-one training that you will have to do to get him up to speed is a great bonding experience for both of you. Use it well.