Will he get less needy?

[KenF]

I love the little guy, but my fifteen month old male (fixed) man-child is still VERY needy. I've done the searches, and I don't think he has sep. anxiety, as he is left alone for a bit nearly every day, and has gotten used to it (in the crate, though he never learned to like his crate, and NEVER goes in there without being told). I'm starting to work on leaving him out of the crate when I'm gone, but he is just SO attached.

Even if my wife and I are out walking him and one of us goes into a store while the other waits outside, he is visibly upset, and won't continue walking. And by now, I would have thought that he would get used to this, as we do this quite frequently.

I'm starting to be afraid that he is always going to have to be crated, and I'm always going to feel guilty about leaving him.

Do they get less needy, and gain some independence as they age? I realize he's still young.

 

[luvmypup]

KenF, I am no boxer expert, but I am currently reading The Dog Listener, and it addresses the issues you have mentioned. You might want to pick it up. Good Luck.

-Cassie & Tucker

 

[LeahR]

It does sound a bit like separation anxiety but it may be a power play too. I would suggest to bring a toy ( like a rope) to distract him while the other goes into the store. This way he'll learn that is is not the end of the world to not have both of you in his sight, that something fun happens.

 

[blurble33]

our youngest did this and then grew out of it. but the thing that helped the most was when we got a second boxer, a rescue, then she stopped "cold turkey"

 

[Hrly n Dvdsn]

I think I need some serious advice. Harley is almost 9mths old. She knows when she has to go outside she sits at the door and whines. But atleast 1 or 2 times a day she will go inside. I am usually at work but not always. My husband and kids are there with her at night. The only time she is alone is when we go to the gym in the mornings and then she is in her crate at that time. Which she drools so much in there that I'm not sure if she pees or it is just saliva. Also she has a thing for going potty upstairs where the kids sleep. She has found out that she likes to go down in the basement and now we have found that she likes to leave us surprises down there too. I just don't know what to do or what the problem is. It's like she is rebelling or...I just don't have the foggiest idea where to go from here. If there is anyone who can help with this please please let me know.

Thanks,
Missy

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

MODERATOR NOTE: MISSY: Please do not attach a completely non-related question about your dog to someone else's post. It is not proper forum behavior. Please post your question as a separate post. You are taking up a forum thread which is about someone else's dog and a different problem than yours.

NOW, to the OP's original question.

I too suggest "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell. This will help you help your dog gain some independence, be less needy and clingy and have more self confidence, patience and know his place within your pack.

Good luck.