Question about whining/barking

[Super Boo]

I posted something similar a couple of months ago, but I still have questions.

Boo is now 10 mos old. She is very well crate trained and doesn't whine or cry when left alone (we've videotaped her). The problem is when we're around her or she can see us she barks and whines.

Should I tell her to be quiet or just ignore it. Either one doesn't seem to be working. She gets to hang out with me during my horse riding lessons and she insists on getting my attention.

 

[Seminolefan]

As someone once said...........................you have been trained by your boxer!!!! It is so hard but just try to ignore it. Boxers are the most loving, sensitive dogs but they are also the most JEALOUS!! Good luck and stay strong!!

 

[FlashyTitus]

Maybe I am misunderstanding your question. If I am then please forgive me, but why do you crate her when you are around? As soon as I arrive home Titus is let out and doesnt go back into the crate until I leave for work. Boxer's need lots of attention.

 

[Super Boo]

She's only crated about 3-4 hrs/day during the week. This is while we're at work (I work in my home office most of the time). She only whines/barks when she's not getting attention--this is tough when I'm on the phone with a client. I'm not sure if I should ignore it (which I have been trying) or tell her to be quiet. She is VERY demanding of my attention if she's not getting it. I agree that she is sensitive and I don't want to be yelling at her. I think this would crush her. I would say that I'm with her about 80% of the time and she goes with us everywhere.

I'm hoping she'll grow out of it.

 

[martins]

I am thinking she might grow INTO it and it will just escalate from what it is now. She's at her teenage years and is going to work you for all she can possibly get from you. I think you're right by ignoring her advances to get your attention, even telling her to be quiet is getting the attention she wants.

I think it's important for a dog to learn to entertain themselves. It sounds like you spend a lot of time with her, so she's definitely getting the attention she deserves, she just needs to find out that the other 20% of the time is your time and she will get to play with you afterwards. Does she have a toy or something to chew on (kong, rope, etc.) in the crate? I think if you stick with your work on ignoring the behavior she will quickly realize that her whining/barking isn't working and is wasting her time, then will chew or nap until time to hang out with you. It is important to make sure attention is at your discretion, not hers. You get to decide when play time starts and stops, etc.

Oh, also how about rewarding her when she is being a good quiet girl when you're home. I know you say you're working at home, but if you have just a minute, when she's being quiet go in and give her a treat and tell her "good girl, good quiet" or something, reinforcing that she is doing the right thing. This is something that helped us a lot when crate training Roscoe.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[FlashyTitus]

One thing I caught my son doing that I had to stop was when I crated Titus and he started whining he would go get him out and start petting him. I explained to him that a dog doesnt look at it like we do. The dog looks at it like he is being praised for whining. So naturally, he will whine and yelp even louder. So its a general rule here that he doesnt get what he wants until he quiet's down and behaves. The Culture Clash is a great book if you havent read it. Its well worth the time to read. Also...putting cheese inside a kong will occupy them for quite a while.

 

[boxers00]

What we did with Meg who is VERY vocal, is when she gets to be to much, we will put her in her room and close the door so she can no longer see us. Once she has calmed down, we let her back in. If that doesn't work she goes outside, and she is a little priss, she hates going out if it is cool or wet out. Hope that helps some.

 

[Super Boo]

I followed everyone's advice to ignore her "temper tantrums". It worked. I even was able to laugh while watching her. She would bark bark bark and dig around scattering dirt everywhere--just like a little kid. The last couple of days, the temper tantrums have been getting shorter and less intense. FINALLY, today, she was perfect. She laid quietly and waited for me to get done with my riding lesson. I almost forgot her when I was leaving, she was so quiet.

I have faith that she is going to be the MOST AWESOME dog.:D

It makes me want another one.