I love taking my 8 month old boxer to the Pet store, but it's SO much trouble. He pulls so hard on his leash to get near the other dogs, he whines and barks. Meanwhile, all the other dogs are just passing him by nicely. Is this just because he's so young or should I be disciplining him for it? I mean, I don't want to yell at him in the store or the vet in front of everyone, I'd feel so mean, ha. He also does this while on walks around the neighborhood. Every bird, dog, person that we pass, he tugs on his leash and whines. Anyone have a solution?
Wanting to Play w/ EVERYONE!!
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Rocco850
Super Boxer
My dog does the same thing! He's 10 months and we got him from the pound two months ago, so I don't think he has had much training. He's 53 lbs. now and it's hard to control him when we take him on walks with people around and definitley in the pet store. He'll stand up on his feet pulling! It's so embaressing. We actually have him in a basic training class which is almost useless since the whole time we're there he's distracting the other dogs by trying to play with them and won't listen to us! He's fine at home. We tried the "Gentle Leader" but he tries to take it off the whole time we're going for a walk we barely get 3 houses down from ours. Good luck 
Tulsa-Dan
Your Friendly Moderator
First, get a copy (available at most libraries or online booksellers or major bookstores) of Jean Donaldson's "The Culture Clash" and read it and learn!
You cannot "discipline" a dog if he doesn't know what he is SUPPOSED to do. Right now your dog gets excited around other things which move or other people and dogs. His adrenal glands are producing overtime and he needs to be guided into proper behavior at this point, not yelled at or "disciplined" as that will only activate his adrenals to produce more and he becomes even MORE hyper.
You MUST get your dog into some kind of training, either a class or at home. But you cannot expect your dog to stop lunging and barking and pulling and so forth if you can't get him to do what you need him to do on command. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training are the ONLY recommended ways to achieve this.
If you haven't trained your dog to, for example, walk with you properly on leash on command, the first bit of excitement will cause him to lunge and bolt and pull. He is relying on instinct, not his learned behaviors. So, when you walk, you must TRAIN the dog to walk properly admid ALL distractions, in order to avoid that. That involves training the dog to walk properly from the outset, whether or not he does so naturally when alone or not. The reinforcement of the training will only enhance his abilities to control himself and obey you regardless of the distraction.
Same with people. Of course, he's excited and wants attention and to play, etc. when he greets new people. Its natural. Again, the adrenals are worked up to a frenzy. The dog needs at least 1 full minute of calm before his adrenals will stop producing and he can calm down. Therefore, it is essential that you have basic control over your dog's behavior so you can put him in a calming position (sit or down) and have him remain there, calmly until released. Then when you meet strangers you have something to tell the dog TO DO, rather than yell at him not to jump on people. He is further pumped by your yelling or discipline and could eventually turn on you or strangers in an attempt to get his own way because he thinks he's in control. In order to gain control of the dog, you must train him in all the basic control behaviors (sit, recall, down, stay and heel). Then when he gets excited, you can ask the dog to down/stay for a minute, until he calms and then release him and show him, guide him into standing properly and allowing himself to be petted calmly and without over excitement.
Don't expect your dog to just "get it" or grow into it. It will not happen. The problem will only get worse and worse and eventually turn into unwanted and often dangerous behaviors because we feel our dogs don't need training. If left untrained, they become extremely strong willed and will stop at nothing to get what they want, including biting and hurting their owners. That is why it is essential to let the dog know that he is NOT in control. And training is one of the most important aspects to this.
Get enrolled in a positive reinforcment, reward based training class ASAP. There are no other magic pills or quick fixes and the dog won't grow out of it either without proper training.
Good luck.
You cannot "discipline" a dog if he doesn't know what he is SUPPOSED to do. Right now your dog gets excited around other things which move or other people and dogs. His adrenal glands are producing overtime and he needs to be guided into proper behavior at this point, not yelled at or "disciplined" as that will only activate his adrenals to produce more and he becomes even MORE hyper.
You MUST get your dog into some kind of training, either a class or at home. But you cannot expect your dog to stop lunging and barking and pulling and so forth if you can't get him to do what you need him to do on command. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training are the ONLY recommended ways to achieve this.
If you haven't trained your dog to, for example, walk with you properly on leash on command, the first bit of excitement will cause him to lunge and bolt and pull. He is relying on instinct, not his learned behaviors. So, when you walk, you must TRAIN the dog to walk properly admid ALL distractions, in order to avoid that. That involves training the dog to walk properly from the outset, whether or not he does so naturally when alone or not. The reinforcement of the training will only enhance his abilities to control himself and obey you regardless of the distraction.
Same with people. Of course, he's excited and wants attention and to play, etc. when he greets new people. Its natural. Again, the adrenals are worked up to a frenzy. The dog needs at least 1 full minute of calm before his adrenals will stop producing and he can calm down. Therefore, it is essential that you have basic control over your dog's behavior so you can put him in a calming position (sit or down) and have him remain there, calmly until released. Then when you meet strangers you have something to tell the dog TO DO, rather than yell at him not to jump on people. He is further pumped by your yelling or discipline and could eventually turn on you or strangers in an attempt to get his own way because he thinks he's in control. In order to gain control of the dog, you must train him in all the basic control behaviors (sit, recall, down, stay and heel). Then when he gets excited, you can ask the dog to down/stay for a minute, until he calms and then release him and show him, guide him into standing properly and allowing himself to be petted calmly and without over excitement.
Don't expect your dog to just "get it" or grow into it. It will not happen. The problem will only get worse and worse and eventually turn into unwanted and often dangerous behaviors because we feel our dogs don't need training. If left untrained, they become extremely strong willed and will stop at nothing to get what they want, including biting and hurting their owners. That is why it is essential to let the dog know that he is NOT in control. And training is one of the most important aspects to this.
Get enrolled in a positive reinforcment, reward based training class ASAP. There are no other magic pills or quick fixes and the dog won't grow out of it either without proper training.
Good luck.
zoefrederick
Boxer Pal
Same story here...
We have a 11 month old female who has completed, successfully, puppy kindergarten, basic training, and intermediate training. She passed the class with flying colors, completing a whole string of commands and tricks off leash with other dogs around. Even with all of that, she STILL freaks when other dogs are around. I think it's part of them being a boxer, they are friendly and LOVE to play. I don't think you can "train" that out of a dog, and I wouldn't want to! But they also have to learn that there is a time and a place, and with training, we can tell her to heel, or "leave it" and she'll listen. Treats are always good to have on hand, it takes their attention away from other dogs, and back on you. Hope this helps, I know what it's like being pulled around! We also have a harness that we put on her, and the leash attaches to it. It's much easier as she can't pull as hard, and it's nicer for her because she isn't choking herself with her collar. I think that's what the gentle leader is that others are referring to...
We have a 11 month old female who has completed, successfully, puppy kindergarten, basic training, and intermediate training. She passed the class with flying colors, completing a whole string of commands and tricks off leash with other dogs around. Even with all of that, she STILL freaks when other dogs are around. I think it's part of them being a boxer, they are friendly and LOVE to play. I don't think you can "train" that out of a dog, and I wouldn't want to! But they also have to learn that there is a time and a place, and with training, we can tell her to heel, or "leave it" and she'll listen. Treats are always good to have on hand, it takes their attention away from other dogs, and back on you. Hope this helps, I know what it's like being pulled around! We also have a harness that we put on her, and the leash attaches to it. It's much easier as she can't pull as hard, and it's nicer for her because she isn't choking herself with her collar. I think that's what the gentle leader is that others are referring to...
Thank you. I actually walked Tyson last night and I carried a bag of treats w/ me. It worked SO well. When he saw people or other dogs, I shook the bag of treats and it took his attention away from the dog/people. Then, when we successfully passed the distraction, I asked him to sit and gave him a bone w/ lots of praise! Thanks for the advice!
tigerpaw99
Boxer Buddy
Helped me too....
Thanks everyone all the stuff mentioned here helped me too. My little one is really good most of the time when we are out and will sit when other people and dogs are around but it doesn't last very long until she is trying to run over to them. Thanks...
Thanks everyone all the stuff mentioned here helped me too. My little one is really good most of the time when we are out and will sit when other people and dogs are around but it doesn't last very long until she is trying to run over to them. Thanks...
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