Question

[kitasowner]

Hi Everyone,
I have been reading a lot of the previous posts and Ive noticed a lot of people have been experiencing the same behaviors I have been seeing, but I still want to just ask. I adopted Kita a little more than 3 weeks ago, she was 6 months old, and when we brought her home she was so lovey, calm as can be (most of the time), sometimes after coming back in from being outside she would run laps and laps through the house (which did not bother me) she would even get going so fast that when she would run back down the stairs she would touch the first 2 and then "fly" down the other 4. Ive seen this with other boxers so I figured just normal boxer behavior. This is the only "behavior" we saw for the first 2 weeks (she wouldn't bark, or make any noise at all), then a week ago she got spayed, when we got her back last Friday she was just out for the rest of the evening (if i knew what was coming I would have spent more of that evening relaxing. ) then Saturday she was pretty much normal, except not liking that I wouldn't let her jump or run. She seemed a little worn out still so we only went on a couple short walks that day. Then sunday came, after she ate anytime I would sit down she would crouch down and start barking, I would ignore her (the first time or two I was just thrown back, since I have NEVER seen this in her before) after a couple seconds of ignoring her, she would lung up and jump up on me and go after my hands, I then would kinda hide my hands and stand up, then she would continue this grawling and barking at me and then would jump up and try and nip anything she could on me. I was the only one she was doing this behavior with, she would act totally normal sweet self with my fiance, and she would be normal with the kids. (sunday she did this behavior twice to me) then monday it was the same thing, I thought it was just her wanting to play since she wasnt supposed to be real active so her stiches would heal so we were outside pretty much all day monday letting her burn some energy without getting to worked up. and she seemed a little better that evening, then ever since then in the last 5-6 days she has gotten so much worse, if she goes 13-20 minutes without this barking, lunging grawling biting expaid its a nice brake, I tried the ignoring her, I tried walking completly away, i tried putting her in time-out, ive redirected her to her toys, Ive praised and praised when she is being good, and it just seems to be getting worse. Is this normal?? Or could it be a behavior change after being spayed?? any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated thank you!!
Kitasowner

 

[Sansal]

It does sound like she wants your attention/wants to play. Is she getting enough exercise and stimulation? A young boxer easily needs 2 hours a day of hard running/playing (off leash). I would also do several short training sessions with her through out the day (grab a handful of treats and teach her to sit, stay, etc, a really good resource is : ClickerSolutions Home, for example ClickerSolutions Training Treasures -- Nine Easy Behaviors to Teach Your New Puppy). What kind of toys do you have for her? There are puzzle type toys or treat dispensers that can keep her busy, also you can give her marrow bones, bully sticks, deer antlers to keep her busy, or a frozen stuffed Kong. Leave her collar or harness on when you are at home and let her drag her leash. Whenever she does the behavior lead her out of the room into a timeout in a calm and gentle manner, you don't even have to say anything, just walk her into a different room.(does not have to be longer than maybe 30seconds - 1minute). You might have to do that many, many times for several days (or longer) but she will eventually get it. Don't get angry or show any kind of emotion, don't push her away or anything like that. Even negative emotion will be interpreted by her as attention from you and further motivate her to continue with the behavior. You will get there! Keep us posted!

 

[kitasowner]

With me being home everyday except a few hours monday and wednesday nights (which my SO is home during these times) she is constantly playing and running off energy, (this all started while she was unable to do much running because I was told to keep her "calm" so she didnt rip open her stitches.) This past friday was one week out of surgery and Ive been letting her run off more energy now. She has many toys; she has some raw bones, she has squeak toys, she has balls, she has rope toys. I'm looking at getting her a Kong or something that is more puzzle like. we walk everyday, she runs for probably close to 4-5 hours of the day, sometimes just playing fetch type games. Ive been doing numerous short training activities with her through out the day, she has learned sit, and is learning come (some days are better than others) Ive started doing "no bark" talk with her. I was just putting her in "time-out" where she wasn't totally secluded but today the 2 times she has done her behaviors I walked her out of the room and ended up closing her in a room for about 1 minute, she seems to "know" what she did was not acceptable because she just sits in that room and waits to come back out, I try not to give her any attention positive or negative when she does this, and I try not to show any emotion. I will look into those clicker training sites you posted and I deff. will start keeping her leash on her in the house, sometimes when she does that as soon as I stand she runs and then looks to see if Im coming after her almost in a "chase me" way which I know is what she wants so I dont do. Thank you, I will keep updates and love any more ideas or thoughts.. If Im doing anything wrong please let me know.

 

[Sansal]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things - great! What is "no bark talk"? It will definitely take time, energy and lots of patience but she will get there, I promise Are you using a crate or pen or something for her? If not you could also consider crate training or using an exercise pen to give her small breaks during the day where she is expected to rest/occupy herself with a bone or Kong or something.

 

[kitasowner]

no bark talk, is what I call it, when she is laying around being good with no barking I praise her for it and tell her good, no bark.. But when she starts barking I tell her " no bark" does not seem to be doing anything yet... Yes has a crate and we have been crate training her. she also has a pen outside, but she cant be left alone out in it or she digs her way out. (This spring we plan to cover the bottom of the pen in big flat concrete.) Even if shes only out there for 5 minutes I go out and shes halfway to china. I know it will get better just wanted to see if I could do anything different to make it a little simpler process, but patience, consistency and time are the key?

 

[Sansal]

no bark talk, is what I call it, when she is laying around being good with no barking I praise her for it and tell her good, no bark.. But when she starts barking I tell her " no bark" does not seem to be doing anything yet... Yes has a crate and we have been crate training her. she also has a pen outside, but she cant be left alone out in it or she digs her way out. (This spring we plan to cover the bottom of the pen in big flat concrete.) Even if shes only out there for 5 minutes I go out and shes halfway to china. I know it will get better just wanted to see if I could do anything different to make it a little simpler process, but patience, consistency and time are the key?

It sounds like you are using the same command when she is NOT barking as well as when she IS barking? (That won't work) Teach her to bark as well as to be quiet, some info on how to do that can be found here, I'm sure you can find more online:
Training Paired Cues: "Bark/Be Quiet" | Karen Pryor Clicker Training

Yes, patience, consistency and LOTS of training are the key
Have you thought about signing up for a puppy playgroup/puppy kindergarten?

 

[kitasowner]

Thank you!!!! I will look into those training tips, and yes I've thought about puppy play groups, I .keep u updated!!!

 

[kcttiger]

We haven't had this problem with either of our boxers. Wish I could help.....Where in Colorado are you? I am in Grand Junction and a friend has a boxer in Rifle.