why does she box?

[des]

hello all,

I need some help with my 7mth old boxer. She is very loyal and socialble, but she's bad. She has started thumping, and pushing eveyone with her front paws, and if you are lying she jumps all over you and pounces on your head. Also she hates when you tell her the word NO, she grows and barks and then jumps on you and pushes you with her paws.

and when she see's people either in the house or outside she is always jumping. I need some help, this is my first time having a boxer.

 

[Alisha Mobley]

Good News...your Boxer is normal!!! It sounds like she just needs some obedience training. Jumping, pawing, etc is all common traits of a Boxer but w/ some training can be over come. I would start looking for a good trainer right away. At 7 months your Boxer is more than ready to start training. Mine started as soon as they came home at 6 wks and started basic obedience at 3 months. It helps to start young so I wouldn't wait too much longer or it will only be harder. Good Luck!!

 

[rjsone]

My vet. actually told me that this is how the Boxer was named. I thought that she was joking. However, she said it's true. I would think that there is some common behavioral issue... Who knows.

I know that my Boxer does it and I have known of no other dogs that do it to that degree.

 

[Alisha Mobley]

Originally posted by rjsone
My vet. actually told me that this is how the Boxer was named.

I have read some believe they were named after their play boxing and some believe it is because of their boxy appearance...it's hard to say since it was so long ago but both make sense.

 

[Brando's Mom]

The best thing you can do for both you and your pup is training. We started Brando from day one with basic commands. He has to sit for his dinner bowl, sit to have his leash put on or taken off, etc. You may want to keep a leash on your pup and when the jumping begins, give a firm tug and say "Off." Don't say "Down", because that will confuse your Boxer. Down means lay down for Brando, and Off means quit jumping or get off the sofa, or whatever. The leash is your pal when training your dog not to jump. And please, don't do the knee in the chest thing. This is not effective, and it's not pleasant for you or your dog. Training a Boxer is fairly simple with love and consistency. I have never had a dog before, and I pretty much trained Brando on my own, with the help of a few good training books. (TIP: They're cheaper at a bookstore than the petstore!) Boxers are intelligent, and more than anything want to please you. Give your baby a chance and I'm sure you'll see him/her shine in no time! Good luck!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Your dog just wants to play and this is how Boxers go about eliciting your attention. I don't know of a single Boxer owner who hasn't gone through that growling and barking when you tell a pup "No!" Therefore, you might consider that simply telling the dog "no" isn't going to cut the mustard with a Boxer.

I agree that training and obedience classes are very, very important to a well behaved dog. Especially socialization and the five basic commands. If you have compliance with those, then you can redirect your dog's energies and attention to more positive behaviors.

I recommend three books for you to read:

"The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson
"Dog Behavior" by Ian Dunbar
"The Power of Positive Dog Training" by Pat Miller

These three books will show you how best to train your dog, teach it the obedience lessons it needs to learn to live happily and safely with you and your family, and it makes it fun for not only the dog to learn, but training him yourself will be loads of fun as well.

Best of luck and get that doggie enrolled in some classes ASAP.

 

[Wendy Swalls]

Boxing

Mickey ALWAYS greets new friends by boxing them. We were at PetsMart (seems like most of my posts begin with "we were at PetsMart :D "!) and Mickey approached a greyhound in the parking lot, kidney beaning and play bowing, the gh's owner seemed pleased to see Mickey and let him sniff at her dog. Then... He Pounced! Paws in the air, all over the greyhound's face and the owner thought Mickey was some kind of monster! :eek: I tried to explain that it's a Boxer trait and that he was only playing, but she grabbed her dog and high tailed it for the store! I felt bad, but Mickey didn't mean any harm, he was just being himself!

I'd like to wear a big sign when with Mickey "Hey, he's only playing!"

 

[Alisha Mobley]

Re: Boxing

Originally posted by Wendy Swalls

I'd like to wear a big sign when with Mickey "Hey, he's only playing!"

A "Hey, he's only playing!" shirt w/ a pic of a Boxer doing his famous boxing should come w/ every puppy. It will be needed sooner or later...

 

[jelyjenn]

I will take a Tee shirt. When we are out with our boxer and rottie more people are afraid of our boxer because she just really gets right in there.:D I wouldn't change her for the world. Our neighbors are terrified of her because my husband goes outside to really rough play and wow can she sound mean. But she is just all wiggles and beans all over the place!!

Jennifer

 

[fourmaddox]

My boxer is 6 now and since we got him fixed he calmed down dramatically. He was the same way no body would every come visit at the house with him it was horrible. I found the puppy stage very rough but still enjoyed him and now that he is so much better its wonderful. hang in there