Training etc

[jekdes]

I have seen many post about training and doggy day care but that cost money (and living in New York City ALOT of money).

Is there any other way? This site has been alot of help and also books we have purchased.

Do you have to take your dog to training and doggy day care?

We are thinking about a dog walker (he is in his crate 6-7 hours a day with no accidents) but he is tooooo hyper for that yet.

So far he is getting better (got many responses back from my jumping question and it seems like making him sit works which is what we are doing) but when we go outside for our walks he is just an exposed nerve.

Do most boxer get very hyper when they go outside (Jumping up and down, jumping OVER other dogs just playful)
He is 5 months now and we love him. He is a very smart dog.

He is always looking back at us to make sure we are there he sits, lays, up when told.

When he gets neutered does that calm a dog down any (been told that )?

Sorry so many questions?

Thanks again this site is GREAT!!!

 

[JulieM]

Well, no, you don't *have* to take your dog to training but I very, very, very strongly recommend it. You can train him on your own, there are several books and websites to help you, but then you will also need to find places to take him to work on distractions and socialization. A group training class provides both, and gives you guidance in learning to work with him. (And, really, the best classes don't train the dog - they train *you* to train the dog.)

Doggy daycare is a great socialization tool but IMO is a luxury. Puppy kindergarten is also great for socialization (if you can get him into one, sometimes the cutoff age is 4 months).

If he's been in his crate all day and then you take him outside, he's bound to be exploding with energy Usually after a few minutes they'll calm down - but you need to work with him on walking nicely on a leash so he knows that's what he's supposed to do.

Neutering has absolutely no effect on energy levels in my experience.

If you want to start training on your own until you can find an affordable class that you like, here are some suggestions:

Books:
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Don't Shoot The Dog by Karen Pryor
Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs by Karen Pryor
Clicking with Your Dog by Peggy Tillman
Clicker Training for Obedience by Morgan Spector

Websites:
www.clickertraining.com
www.clickandtreat.com
www.clickersolutions.com
www.click-l.com
www.clickertrain.com
www.shirleychong.com

 

[YourFriendDeb]

Originally posted by jekdes
I have seen many post about training and doggy day care but that cost money (and living in New York City ALOT of money).

Is there any other way? This site has been alot of help and also books we have purchased.

Do you have to take your dog to training and doggy day care?

We are thinking about a dog walker (he is in his crate 6-7 hours a day with no accidents) but he is tooooo hyper for that yet.

Do you mean daily? My answer is a resounding I WISH! I wish I had the means to put Legend in daycare while I'm at work everyday!

Legend stays inside in an ex-pen while we're at work. Its got 12 panels, each about 3 feet wide. I bought it at www.jbpet.com

We hook it to his crate, so he can go in and sleep if he chooses. Its like having an indoor yard for him, it keeps him out of trouble.

As far as training goes...I say YES YES YES... do it! Legend graduates tonight, as a matter-of-fact from his 8 week basic obedience course. It has worked WONDERS for him, and he's learned a lot. Do you have a PetsMart near you? That's where we take him. If not, check in the yellow pages and see if there's somewhere you can take him. You will both benefit from it.

Do most boxer get very hyper when they go outside (Jumping up and down, jumping OVER other dogs just playful)
He is 5 months now and we love him. He is a very smart dog.

Another resounding YES to this one. There is nothing quite as rambunctious as a boxer puppy and at 5 months, he is STILL very much a puppy (and will be for about another year! ) This is where training comes in handy. Legend used to jump all over everybody, now he knows the command "OFF!" and does it most of the time.

I've also been told that neutering "calms them down", but I have no experience with that since Legend has only been neutered for less than one month.

Good luck to you and your pup!

 

[mmccown]

Bouncy, trouncy, pouncy, flouncy

fun, fun, fun, fun, fun....The wonderful thing about 'Boxers" is that we all own at least one! (adopted from Tiggers rhyme) My reply is rather pointless, but I had to share my experiences with Jumping Boxers.

A 5 month old Boxer is probably the most jumpy thing you'll meet. Rebel was born on springs and still bounces when I come home every day. He has learned since he was about 5 months old not to jump on anyone (we are still working on that). Rather he jumps BY me. It is cute, he leaps and hops from the time he comes out of his crate until we get to the backyard. I have a mini bucking bronco!

Blue is a bit older (2+ years) and he doesn't jump as much. He is a classic wiggler. Of course they both jump when it is most inappropriate...like when I am cleaning and they knock me over or when I am dressed for work or a social event (yes, occasionally I leave the dogs ) Be patient. A 5 month Boxer is one of the most joyful creatures on earth!

I am a firm believer in self training AND professional classes. I took Rebel to puppy class at Petco. Afterward I contacted a local training club and made an appointment to have the instructor observe us and gauge our level before we were placed in class. This was very helpful to us. I agree with JulieM (again) that professional classes expose the dogs to distractions AND train the owner (and how!). Of course training does not end when class does, it is a constant thing, just like exercise, to maintain the level of skill.

Daycare would be great, but it is a bit cost prohibitive. I have a friend who is lucky enough to have her Boxer go across the street and stay with the stay at home neighbor and her Boxers. What a luxury! I overcompensate having to leave my dogs alone, by taking them with me everywhere I can, staying at home on weekends, LOTS of walks, and of course playing in the backyard for hours on end. Now, if I could only find a way to get them a job and start bringing home a paycheck life would be perfect :D


Marnie

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Training can be very expensive in NYC, I know. However, there is a Petco (I believe it is a Petco not a PetsMart), in Union Square (14th St. & 4th Ave.) which gives classes and they are probably your best bet in terms of expense.

Any individual training you may find in NY is bound to be expensive. I found the cost prohibitive myself when I lived there and got my Maggie and my Susie. And having been a dog walker in NYC, I know they are very expensive as well. But dog walkers don't do any training, just walking. The advice given here is correct: the dog has tons of pent up energy when you get home and needs to let it out. A trip to the park for off-leash hour after work sure did wonders with my dogs in terms of socialization, energy and appetite, and they sleep at night too. Boxers need LOTS of vigorous exercise. Check out the off leash hours in the park in your area or in Prospect Park in Brooklyn (the most dog friendly of the parks and boroughs).

You can train your dog yourself and Julie has given you many excellent resources with which to learn and do the training. But I should warn you, no matter if you train your own dog or attend classes, you are essentially still doing the training yourself and it takes LOTS of time, patience and consistency. You'll learn this in any training class. So essentially, you are taking classes to learn how to train your dog yourself.

My best luck came when I got a copy of "The Culture Clash" and it became my training Bible.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[malinda]

Exercise is the key. If Megan is tired life in my house is so much simpler. :D We do send Megan to doggie day care but as Julie said it is more a luxury. It works for us because we both work full time and go to school full time at night, so daycare helps wear off some of that bouncy energy Megan has, although not all of it. Even after a full day at daycare we still take her for walks, play ball or to the park to run. Daycare does make life a little easier though for us.

As for training I personally feel it is good to take a least one group class even if just a level one. I learned more from my training classes than Megan did. Plus there was a network of support there for me. I know others where experiencing what I was. I'm not sure about NY but I know here the Humane Society does training. Maybe that is something you can look into. There classes weren't to expensive either.

Good luck in whatever you decide and keep us posted.