Saved Joe!!!
- Thread starter gojoe
- Start date
- Status
sashamom
Boxer Insane
I applaud you for your dedication and honesty.....we are here to help....NOT TO JUDGE.....it happens too often on here!! I think you are doing a fantastic job and it's all a matter of 'trial and error'.....just like for us humans....if it works you do it and if it doesn't...you dont'!! Hang in there and keep us posted....We are cheering here and hoping for the best!!
Sasha, Telmar and Lisa
Sasha, Telmar and Lisa
Big Problem
Okay. Now I think i've spoken too soon. Joe is 'testing' me and I am now quite scared and I know he can sense that and is taking advantage of it. It seems as he gets more comfortable, he is testing his place in my world and i'm not doing well anymore. I hate to say it but i thumped him on the head to back him off when i bent down to move a toy, HE WASN'T EVEN PLAYING with, just happened to see me do it and went for my HAND...NOT THE TOY, it was NOT a mistake!!! And was NOT apologetic. Those who know 'boxer face' know what i'm talking about. I spoke with my Mother who was a vet tech for a number of years and at this point don't think i have the income or time available to rehabilitate Joe.
I still KNOW there is a good dog in there, but unfortunately I am not in a position to coax it out and quite nervous. Joe's neuter appointment is Sunday, August 29th.
I am putting out a request to ANYONE in the Chicagoland area who may be able to help Joe to contact me. Rescue groups included. Joe is definitely a special needs pet...i am thoroughly convinced that he would not have the indoor aggression/testing with a Man. He is FINE with my boyfriend who unfortunately is traveling overseas for a while. He raises his hair at most women, but ignores men for the most part. I am not THOROUGLY convinced he would HAVE to be in an only dog household since he was brought to the shelter with a Boston Terrier as a companion...i think he MAY behave differently around other dogs after his neuter procedure.
I feel like a complete failure and apologize. I THOUGHT i could do it. I love him dearly, he's so well behaved, he doesn't bark, he doesn't destroy things, he doesn't even get on the furniture. I can at least say i've nursed him back to health, he's at a healthy weight, his coat is shiny and his stools are regular. OH! And here's the kicker...the vet stated that Joe is dysplastic, however at age 5, it doesn't seem to be bothering him (has a bow legged stride, however), I just watch him going up stairs and don't let him jump around. He loves to jog still and I let him, he's had no problems. I have him on a glucosamine supplement and that's about it.
Please HELP. Anyone, if you can. I don't know what to do.
vasha said:
Okay. Now I think i've spoken too soon. Joe is 'testing' me and I am now quite scared and I know he can sense that and is taking advantage of it. It seems as he gets more comfortable, he is testing his place in my world and i'm not doing well anymore. I hate to say it but i thumped him on the head to back him off when i bent down to move a toy, HE WASN'T EVEN PLAYING with, just happened to see me do it and went for my HAND...NOT THE TOY, it was NOT a mistake!!! And was NOT apologetic. Those who know 'boxer face' know what i'm talking about. I spoke with my Mother who was a vet tech for a number of years and at this point don't think i have the income or time available to rehabilitate Joe.
I still KNOW there is a good dog in there, but unfortunately I am not in a position to coax it out and quite nervous. Joe's neuter appointment is Sunday, August 29th.
I am putting out a request to ANYONE in the Chicagoland area who may be able to help Joe to contact me. Rescue groups included. Joe is definitely a special needs pet...i am thoroughly convinced that he would not have the indoor aggression/testing with a Man. He is FINE with my boyfriend who unfortunately is traveling overseas for a while. He raises his hair at most women, but ignores men for the most part. I am not THOROUGLY convinced he would HAVE to be in an only dog household since he was brought to the shelter with a Boston Terrier as a companion...i think he MAY behave differently around other dogs after his neuter procedure.
I feel like a complete failure and apologize. I THOUGHT i could do it. I love him dearly, he's so well behaved, he doesn't bark, he doesn't destroy things, he doesn't even get on the furniture. I can at least say i've nursed him back to health, he's at a healthy weight, his coat is shiny and his stools are regular. OH! And here's the kicker...the vet stated that Joe is dysplastic, however at age 5, it doesn't seem to be bothering him (has a bow legged stride, however), I just watch him going up stairs and don't let him jump around. He loves to jog still and I let him, he's had no problems. I have him on a glucosamine supplement and that's about it.
Please HELP. Anyone, if you can. I don't know what to do.
rog1006
Completely Boxer Crazy
I have had experience with a foster like Joe. He tried to bite both me and hubby when it came to toys and treats... (actually bit me once and hubby once...) There are MANY threads that are on here that helped us deal with treat/food aggression. PM me and I'll give you more info. It didn't take a ton of time--daily work with him a few minutes a day and he learned to "GIVE" on command.
Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue
Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue
natrhymer
Boxer Booster
I'm so sorry it isn't working out for you and Joe. I could tell you a dozen stories about some of Dieter's issues and how training helped tremendously. I'm not sure you've given Joe enough time to adjust; but I can imagine that if you're scared of him, it's really a challenge for you at this moment.
You're right, he is testing you. You need to establish yourself as the Alpha of the pack, and the only way to do that is through consistent training. I haven't re-read all the posts in a while, so I don't remember if you had planned to take Joe to obedience classes or not.
I hope you change your mind about returning Joe to rescue, but I can understand that Joe's issues seem really tough to handle. Dieter had (well, STILL has some) issues, but not as serious as Joe's seem to be.
It's a tough choice. Good luck, and, yes, you can and should feel good about the fact that you got Joe healthy and gave him a loving home despite his issues.
You're right, he is testing you. You need to establish yourself as the Alpha of the pack, and the only way to do that is through consistent training. I haven't re-read all the posts in a while, so I don't remember if you had planned to take Joe to obedience classes or not.
I hope you change your mind about returning Joe to rescue, but I can understand that Joe's issues seem really tough to handle. Dieter had (well, STILL has some) issues, but not as serious as Joe's seem to be.
It's a tough choice. Good luck, and, yes, you can and should feel good about the fact that you got Joe healthy and gave him a loving home despite his issues.
Can't do it.
Challenge? It's torture. I love this dog and you are totally correct...he has not had time to adjust. I can deal with the leash aggression issues and work on that, i can deal with keeping him away from children. But i am absolutely terrified of those teeth of his actually chomping down on me. He already got me once 'by accident' when i intervened to keep him from biting my neighbor.
Those of you who were able to work through the food/toy aggression, great. I am scared. I have never in my life felt threatened by a/my pet and i am not in a comfortable place right now.
The other question is for rog1006. How old was your rescue when you addressed the aggresion? Joe is 5 years old and seems to be quite hardwired to do what he does for whatever the reason. I don't think he would be this way with a man. I am now thoroughly convinced that the only real reason he puts up with me is because i feed him. And now that i've basically hit him on the head (i've never hit an animal before and feel HORRID!) who knows WHAT i've done to our relationship. I'm just too frightened. He seems to be progressing towards 'not nice' quickly. I hate to sound so matter of fact but I am unable to keep him this way and really don't have the guts to work with him and his teeth directed at me. I don't like having to be 'on guard' now when i'm doing things in my house because of how he may react. I just wanted a companion. Not an adversary. And this testing thing at his age is NOT COOL. If he was still a 'teenager', between 1 & 2 years...i wouldn't be as nervous. But after watching him 'snap'. If this dog decided he doesn't want to be nice anymore for whatever the reason, he will tear me up.
This is far more than what i was prepared to deal with and need to find a way to rehome him. I'm not ready for this and seem to have literally bitten off a bit more than i can chew. I am very sorry, and embarassed and was so sure i could fix this. His other dog issues prohibit me from attending the lowers priced group obedience lessons, and behaviorists and 1-1 obedience are out of my $$$ range. I just want a normal, happy dog. I'm just a whole bunch of feelings right about now and none of them are good.
Challenge? It's torture. I love this dog and you are totally correct...he has not had time to adjust. I can deal with the leash aggression issues and work on that, i can deal with keeping him away from children. But i am absolutely terrified of those teeth of his actually chomping down on me. He already got me once 'by accident' when i intervened to keep him from biting my neighbor.
Those of you who were able to work through the food/toy aggression, great. I am scared. I have never in my life felt threatened by a/my pet and i am not in a comfortable place right now.
The other question is for rog1006. How old was your rescue when you addressed the aggresion? Joe is 5 years old and seems to be quite hardwired to do what he does for whatever the reason. I don't think he would be this way with a man. I am now thoroughly convinced that the only real reason he puts up with me is because i feed him. And now that i've basically hit him on the head (i've never hit an animal before and feel HORRID!) who knows WHAT i've done to our relationship. I'm just too frightened. He seems to be progressing towards 'not nice' quickly. I hate to sound so matter of fact but I am unable to keep him this way and really don't have the guts to work with him and his teeth directed at me. I don't like having to be 'on guard' now when i'm doing things in my house because of how he may react. I just wanted a companion. Not an adversary. And this testing thing at his age is NOT COOL. If he was still a 'teenager', between 1 & 2 years...i wouldn't be as nervous. But after watching him 'snap'. If this dog decided he doesn't want to be nice anymore for whatever the reason, he will tear me up.
This is far more than what i was prepared to deal with and need to find a way to rehome him. I'm not ready for this and seem to have literally bitten off a bit more than i can chew. I am very sorry, and embarassed and was so sure i could fix this. His other dog issues prohibit me from attending the lowers priced group obedience lessons, and behaviorists and 1-1 obedience are out of my $$$ range. I just want a normal, happy dog. I'm just a whole bunch of feelings right about now and none of them are good.
rog1006
Completely Boxer Crazy
It's okay to feel this way...I understand. You did a wonderful thing by saving him...just take a deep breath and take this one step at a time.
(By the way, my foster was approx 4 yrs old...not a young pup at all.)
Dogs can and will test you and know when you're afraid. I would call the boxer rescue in your area and ask them for help--they should have a trainer that can help you with his issues--I know we have one and he'll do a free evaluation and it's a 2 hr long eval to help new owners, people considering surrendering, etc. Sometimes problems are tackled in that session and it really helps everyone relax a bit. Then if he's really bad, then the trainer can and will tell you some options. You need to give them a call...today.
Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue
(By the way, my foster was approx 4 yrs old...not a young pup at all.)
Dogs can and will test you and know when you're afraid. I would call the boxer rescue in your area and ask them for help--they should have a trainer that can help you with his issues--I know we have one and he'll do a free evaluation and it's a 2 hr long eval to help new owners, people considering surrendering, etc. Sometimes problems are tackled in that session and it really helps everyone relax a bit. Then if he's really bad, then the trainer can and will tell you some options. You need to give them a call...today.
Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue
Progress
Boxer Rebound was MOST helpful. Going to implement some techniques immediately and will be purchasing a muzzle and starting in a group obedience class as soon as i find a suitable one. I am hopeful we may be able to curb his 'testing' in the home coupled with the neuter I may see some progress over time with consistency. He seems to respond well to me 'puffing up', hovering over him raising my voice and basically looking and acting big, ugly and mean. He backs down immediately. So for now, we're gonna be OK.
Thank you once again for your assistance. Here we go!
Boxer Rebound was MOST helpful. Going to implement some techniques immediately and will be purchasing a muzzle and starting in a group obedience class as soon as i find a suitable one. I am hopeful we may be able to curb his 'testing' in the home coupled with the neuter I may see some progress over time with consistency. He seems to respond well to me 'puffing up', hovering over him raising my voice and basically looking and acting big, ugly and mean. He backs down immediately. So for now, we're gonna be OK.
Thank you once again for your assistance. Here we go!
- Status