puppy agression at 8 weeks?

[khenders]

I have an 8 week old boxer pup, got when he was 6 weeks. My husband and I are gone for long hours so we bought an adult sized kennel and put plenty toys, bed, wee wee pad, and food and water inside to keep him in during the day. Most days, he is in there from 8 - 12 untill my hubbie comes home for lunch to let him out a bit, and from 2- 6 ish till i can get home. He hates the darn kennel, i tried putting a kong in to keep his attention, and he just barks , climbs all the way to the top of the walls, throws his food and water around, tears up the newspaper, and throws bedding around. Is this normal or seperation anxiety? How do I break this up? He also likes to bark and snarl as if he will attack, is this normal too? He will act like he is gonna bite your jaw if you let him. My husband has been sticking his arm out at him wiggling it back and forth getting him to snarl and bark, now when he sees him, he automatically barks and tries to bite him? How can we break all of this problems?

Thanks for lending your ears.

 

[sgbtab]

how you doing with the crate? I think the crate is to big. he only needs enough room to turn around and stand.are you free feeding? as far as the water maybe you should try a rabbit bottle the ones you put on the side of the cage.

 

[jbbtlr]

Crate training can be difficult. We had a heck of a time with Koda. It took him almost a month to really get use to the crate. There were many nights of little sleep but now it's one of his favorite places to be when he wants to be left alone.

Be sure to put him in the crate while you are at home also, even for just short periods of time. This way he doesn't associate the crate only with you leaving.

Be sure that when he is barking you pay absolutetly no attention to him. I know this is very hard to do, but I promise it does work. Only let him out once he as stopped barking, even for just for a few seconds. That way he doesn't associate the barking with getting out.

If he is throwing his food out, take out his food. You really should only be feeding him 2/3 times a day at that age. We were told 3 times a day but Koda would really only eat 2 times a day. If you start feeding him on a schedule it will also help with house training. This way you can know that once he eats he will need to go outside there shortly after.

Sound like your puppy has associated the snarling and barking as play, that is what your husband has taught him. They are just like kids, they have to learn what they can and can't do. If they are allowed to do that then as far as they are concerened it's okay.

Good luck with the crate training. It can be rough but man it's worth it in the long run!!!!!

~~Jeanette~~

 

[MavRick]

Too many hours.

I am not so sure as I am a new boxer owner as well, but I am sure that the amount of time your leaving him in the crate is way to much. 1. It is going to be tough to teach him not to relive himself in the crate as there is no way for him to hold it that long. 2. jbbtlr is right if you don't put him in it while you are home also he will no doubt associate it with you leaving and as we all know boxers are happiest around their families.

I recommend taking a long lunch break so you can run home and let him out or if that is not an option try getting a neighbor to let him out in the middle of the day or even hire a dog walker. You could also (once he has his shots) take him to a dog daycare. Hope this helps.

Don Braz

 

[apollosdad]

khenders-
your crate is too big and he is being left alone for too many hours since he so young. crate training should not involve wee wee pads inside, as this will encourage and condition him to pee in his crate, which is the opposite of what a dog's instincts are telling it. reduce the amount of space in his crate and in a few weeks he will be able to hold his urge to go for the four hours in between visits. also, the problem with the growling and snarling has been created by your husband. he provoked this behavior and now your dog is trained to do that. cease immediately and start by enrolling your dog in some obedience classes and stay consistent with his training.
in order to reduce the growling and snarling you have to teach your dog how to "speak" on command first, then you can train him to be "quiet" on command. it sounds like a backwards approach to correcting the behavior, but that is the correct way to do it.

 

[beckymoncast]

Stick at it

I have an 8 week old puppy, and he also does not like the crate much.. but i have solved his anxiety probllems. As i am out at work from 9-1.30, then 2-5 i leave him in either the house, or just in my room. The crate door is left open and he has free roam, i have made it all puppy safe and as i have a kitten (9months) she spends most of the day entertaining him,. They have become good friends already. He does not cry too much when im out anymore, and if he cant see me, then he just goes and looks out for the cat. Yeah, there may be one of two accidents in the house but that is to be expected at his age, If i left him in the crate all that time he would walk all in it and get more distressed. but when i am there he no longer messes in the house as he has learnt his routine.. very clever little chap already!! Is there a room that you can put him in with the crate in?? That way he has more room and wont feel so panicked?

 

[My Champ]

beckymoncast: I think you are lucky, my 8 1/2 week pup would still use the room I left him in as a potty palace! He will run to that room where is crate is when we are home, & potty if we don't follow & catch him.
We are a busy home also, we have three skin kids & another 13 yr old dog. Who has also gone in this particular room at times over the 8 yrs we have been in the home, due to putting there if to cold or storming out, he may have a bit of anxiety for being enclosed. But as soon as puppy is trained we will replace the carpet. I leave Champ in crate from 8-12 noon, the again from 1-5:30pm. I let him drink early on in am then make sure he has pottied, then again the same at noon. No food or drink in crate. Just chew toys. I think the blankets may be a problem. He will have an occasional accident. So today I left with no blankets. He had an accident last night. I got up around 3am & he did both duties. But by 6:30am he had an accident. Sometimes you feel you can't win. I just think if he had the whole room I may have a real mess??? :eek: He doesn't seem to have anxeity. He does pretty good, only a few whimpers before he's quiet. :confused: