What "stage" is a 2 year old at?

[kflanaga]

I've never had a dog before Simon, so this may be a silly question. He is about a month shy of 2 years old and I'm wondering what "stage" he is in. I still think he's very puppyish compared to all of his non-boxer peers. They are all un-crated (Simon is still crated whenever I am out), they don't get upset when left alone (Simon still seems to think that I'm NEVER coming home every time I leave, despite leaving him alone thousands of times over the years. Not quite sep. anx. but probably close).

I've read some sites that say there is a sudden "overnight" change around 2 years of age. I love the little guy, but I would love to hear that he will be a little less needy sometime in the next, oh say, year or so.....please......

 

[RavenGirl]

I cant really answer your question but I can tell you something. Raven is just now 9 months old and Phoenix is about to turn 2 next month and they act exactly the same. I have heard alot of people say boxers are puppies until they are about 2 or 3. Id love it if they were puppies for their whole lifes.

 

[kflanaga]

I don't mind the puppiness. I mind the neediness because I feel so bad leaving him alone, because I know how much he hates it. Plus, I would feel better if I could leave him uncrated, but I know I can't (he can open ANY door, deadbolt, doorknob, anything, and can escape whenever he feels like it. I have to padlock his crate too.) He's okay in the crate, never soils it, and has empty kongs when I come home, so I doubt that it's full fledged Separation anxiety. But, I'd feel better leaving him out, I guess.

So, do they get less needy?

 

[barny]

bruce, at nine years old, still acts like a puppy =)
he later learned to deal with being alone for long period, but still hates it ...

 

[gmacleod]

He may get less 'needy' as he gets older, but it is unlikely to be an overnight change. The 'maturity' period for boxers is between 1-4 years... See http://www.boxerworld.com/puppy/education/

If you think he's close to having separation anxiety, then that is something you could really work on that will probably make quite a difference. Tons of info on that here if you search the forums.

LOL - another thought: Simon might be a whole lot better home alone if he had some canine company. Perhaps you could "borrow" someone else's dog for a few days to test that out

 

[kflanaga]

Definitely a consideration. I'm moving later this week and if I end up with a backyard, Simon is getting a little sister!

 

[Mushy]

At 2

Mush just turned two, and I have gradually seen a difference in her. She's just a little bit calmer and can be trusted 75% of the time. Let's see, she' will now only eat the bed once in a while, but NEVER eats the couch anymore....hehehe...I think it helps that she has Koby, my 4 yr old Dalmatian to play with all day long. They are best friends, and keep each other company, so I've never had to deal with separation anxiety. Mush still has as much energy today as she did when she was 6 months old. But she now knows the word "no" and she knows when she's crossed the line and did something wrong. She can do a boxer burn better than any dog I've seen, and still gets that mischeivous look in her eyes that tells me she''s about to let it loose. But she's nowhere near adulthood....maybe never will be.....

Sheila

 

[kflanaga]

Yeah, the funny thing is that Simon has never had the famous "energy". He is the laziest thing I've ever seen! But, from his dead sleep, if I make a move for the door, then he leaps from the couch...

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

The differences between puppy and 2 years of age was not very perceivable in Maggie. She calmed down a bit, was more obedient than before and that's about it. But the difference between 2 and 3 years was astounding! She became an adult and began to act as one. Taking her responsibilites seriously, obeying commands totally and being the incredibly loving and wonderful dog I have always expected her to be.

Just keep reinforcing your good positive training, love and nourish that love and guide your dog into good behavior with lots of praise and reward and you'll see a very different dog in about a year's time.

Dan

 

[Hberry23]

I have to agree my little girl hates being left alone, I so wish I could stay home with her, but it's just not possible, I hate leaving her little sad face pressed up against the window :(...it truly breaks my heart, We are looking to get her a brother or a sister...LIKE SOON