Please help, I love him so much

[tys&kyz]

I can tell by your last post that you feel much better after talking to another trainer. With your determination you and Tucker will be just find.
Tyson was the same way when we got him 5yrs ago. Biting, playing rough, he almost seemed vicious. I was paranoid and a relative hooked us up with a trainer friend of his. He trained retrievers for hunting and after spending many afternoons with him and his dogs Tyson was one of the best retrievers around.:D I think socializing him was the biggest help. When we got Kyzar last year I figured I knew how to handle puppies. Yeah Right. He was 10X's more stubborn than Tyson. Patience, patience, patience with this pup. They do grow out of it and it is so worth the time and effort.
12 weeks is really young and you can mold Tucker to be a wonderful pet for you and your future children.

*lacy*

 

[BoxerLoverNC]

I posted a thread a couple days ago about Shayna back talking me. She barked and growled and nipped. She's also around my 6 year old daughter every day. SHe's 15 weeks old now and were getting to know each other better every day. A trainer cannot make an educated decision just by spending an hour or two! The nerve! She should not have given such a grim outcome either. I have not viewed what Shayna is doing as aggressive. She's just a puppy. Patience! Until you feel like it has all ran out - and then give him more. You guys will have a long happy life together. I was so exhausted training Micah I thought I would die. I realize now he's my soul mate and where would I be if I had given up on him? Although I thought I would him
a couple times! :rolleyes: My big hard headed boy! Everybody has milestones to overcome during puppyhood. Your love for him will shine through - you'll see!

 

[DI_411]

I agree with Tulsa-Dan. Otis was a huge undertaking when we got him and honestly I was terrified that he would turn out the most horrid dog ever. It's amazing what love, patience and the right training can do for a dog. Otis is now 5 months old and coming along wonderfully. Don't give up on him or yourself.

 

[Mushy]

There's always answers

We went through a very similar situation with a dalmatian that we got from a shelter. She became very aggressive with other dogs (and we had 3 others in the house at the time), very food aggressive, and would sometimes growl, but never bite us. We had behavior specialists, several diffferent trainers, etc, and each helped a little, but the problem was never solved. She would occasionally attack my oldest Dal for walking too close to her. And she went for the kill. We cried and cried thinking we were going to have to re-home her or have her euthanized as we couldn't risk my other dogs safety. She was even questionable around strangers. She never bit anyone, but a few times the gas man came to read the meter, and I'm sure if I hadn't been there holding her, she would have challenged him. Finally, as a last ditch effort, we had our vet check her over, and one of the things he found was a severe low-thyroid. We put her on thyroid medication and the turn around was amazing. It of course hasn't solved all our problems, but she is much, much better. And since we got Mush, our boxer, they are the best of buddies. FYI, we got so very lucky with Mush, as she's also a rescue, but the best temperment of any dog I've ever had.

But, my Dr. also said that if things got bad again, there are lots of medications we could try, like prozac, or a number of others. This all comes with adopting a dog with unknown breeding, so it's something we accept. We also accept that we will never have a perfect dog, but as long as we can make it liveable and safe for everyone, we will. Now, we do not nor will have children in our house, so I'm sure that makes for a completely different situation, but do try to talk to your vet about medications.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, I remember all too well the turmoil we went through when it all started. I hope all works out.

Sheila
& Mushsky Pushsky

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I am so glad to read your last post. This new trainer/behaviorist sounds much better. I'm not fond of leash corrections but, at least you could see some difference in trainers here and a lesson was certainly learned.

Originally posted by luvmypup
. . . After I calmed down and thought about it, the first trainer said "It's always hard telling people this, but your dog is too aggressive, and you need to get rid of him" I guess the more I thought about it, the more I thought - How many people has she said this too?

I found this very disturbing myself. I deal with very aggressive adult dogs; biters mostly, whom most everyone else (except their owners) have given up on. I have NEVER told a client with an aggressive dog to put the dog down or get rid of it. How ridiculous. Yes, I do tell clients that there are no guarantees that the dog's problems can be totally resolved BUT, I can try my best and see where we end up. If nothing else (and there has been one dog who continues to bite and be very aggressive), we've worked very hard on management of the dog and the owners are very satisfied now that they KNOW HOW to manage an aggressive dog. There is no need to put the dog down because he has behavioral problems. This woman should be drummed out of business from what I can tell.

I am thrilled that you've found someone who is willing to help. I think with all the love and devotion you've shown in just 3 weeks for this dog, he will turn out to be the best thing to ever happen in your life; just as my two girls (and they went thru the same --- and more problematic -- issues as your dog) are to me. There is no greater joy in my life than my two dogs, no matter how much work it took or continues to take. I know you'll feel the same way too in no time at all.

Take a deep breath. One day at a time. And know in your heart that no matter what happens and how frustrated you may become with this young whippersnapper he loves you UNCONDITIONALLY. We, as humans, can only STRIVE for that kind of perfect love. I try daily to show my dogs the same kind of love. Its hard when they act up but, if they can put up with me and MY behavior, the least I can do is be patient with theirs

Best of luck and keep us posted. We're here for you nite and day.

Dan

 

[Loke]

Listen to Dan, he is wise. Welcome to the Boxer breed!

Lenna

 

[curb_pks]

Second that!

 

[kelbel1]

I think I also know what you are going through. Trinity seemed very aggressive when we first got her too. We were very worried because she was doing all of the things you expressed that Tucker is doing. She has just graduated puppy kindergarten, and she is much more well behaved. She is still somewhat aggressive to other dogs, but she is only 3 1/2 months and we have a lot more training to do. I really thought there was not much hope for her at first, even with all of the advice I got here! Definantly get another opinion. There are certain things that puppies do and don't do for that matter, I think its just a matter of time, good training and getting to know your pup. I don't think though that it is a matter of getting used to it and getting over it. All you need is a little patience and time.

 

[hanley]

BABY TUCKER & TULSA DAN

THANK YOU , TULSA DAN ! TUCKER HAS NOT SETTLED IN AND BONDED WITH HIS NEW PARENTS YET, MUCH LESS THINKING ABOUT BEING AGGRESSIVE , HE SOUNDS LIKE A NORMAL PUPPY, HE NEEDS TIME, NOT THERAPY ! TUCKER WILL BE , WHAT YOU PUT IN HIM, JUST BE PATIENT, LOVE HIM, WORK WITH HIM [POSITIVE] AND TUCKER WILL WANT TO PLEASE YOU, THEY ARE VERY SENSITIVE AND PICK UP ON YOUR FEELINGS OR VIBES ! FORGET YOU TALKED WITH THAT SO CALLED TRAINER , BOND AND THEN GO TO PUPPY SCHOOL WITH TUCKER, HE IS STILL THE SAME PUPPY YOU BROUGHT HOME AND HE WILL BE THE DOG YOU WANT ONE DAY ALSO ! DON'T CRY GIVE HIM A PUPPY KISS! lovicon

 

[lexiandtitus]

aggressive pups

When you say that your dog bites, is it a vicious snap, meaning to break the skin or is it a nip? We had an aggression problem with our Lexi when she was a puppy, but it turned out we were reading her wrong. She would growl and bark at us. We were told by trainers to turn our heads, walk out of the room, or to making loud noise to distract her. None of that worked. She would only come back more fierce and hard! We didn't know what to do. We were heartbroken over it. She would even try to hump our leg and she's a girl! She was spayed and I was told she could have too much testosterone. At any rate, our saving grace was getting another boxer. A much milder tempered one. That's when we found out her growling and barking and nipping was her aggressive way of playing. If you haven't done so already, I would see what she's like with other boxers. She if she plays with them and how she reacts around other boxers. In a wierd way, she may just want to play...just in a really aggressive way. Good luck!