she's insane! please help!!!

aziavras · #1 05-29-2007, 10:59 AM

ok, i'm new to this forum thing, but i'm giving it a shot. a lot of the things that my baby Roxy (now a 1 year old baby) does are probably behavioral issues that she has. honestly, i will probably forget 1/2 the naughty things she does because there are so many, but hopefully i can get some feedback on the following issues:

1. mouthing: i think she's afraid of hands. when she was a puppy she was hit on her behind probably more than she should have, and now everytime you lift your hand she goes to put her mouth on it and growls. she doesn't bite, but she sure sounds like she's going to. whether it be while playing or just sitting around, she's very skeptical about hands coming near her in a quick motion.

2. barking: she DEFINITELY barks when she wants attention. she barks when you look at her the wrong way. if you are holding her toy and you dont throw it fast enough, she barks.

3. commands: she knows the commands, but unless there is a reward (like a treat) she has the "screw you" attitude and won't do it. she's so stubborn. i'm teaching her "off" so she can get OFF the couch and OFF the countertops. she only jumps down if you literally pick her up off the place. i don't want her jumping on people either...and she's horrible at getting her paws OFF people when they come by. she does it to me when i'm not paying her enough attention.

4. crate: she's crate trained and potty trained, but she rarely goes in her crate unless i once again plop her in there myself or lure her in with a nice treat.

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! i love this dog to death, and understand i have to be the dominant pack leader for her to understand and behave better. i've tried taking her to puppy classes, training classes, ignoring her when she barks and nips, taking her for long walks, etc... but she's still hyper hyper hyper! any suggestions are greatly appreciated. i'm not giving up on my lil girl but i obviously need some additional guidance. thanks in advance!

kpowell · #2 05-29-2007, 12:21 PM

I think that you need to do a search on here for NILIF (nothing in life is free) training. It will make a huge difference IF you practice it religiously! Also, everyone in the family has to practice it as well. Good luck!

Biff · #3 05-29-2007, 12:32 PM

I agree - NILIF is the only way to teach her her place in the pack

Is she getting enough excercise? A tired boxer is a happy boxer

Lola's mum · #4 05-29-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

Is she getting enough excercise? A tired boxer is a happy boxer

I agree, with all the rain we've been having our walks haven't been as long as usual & Lola & Zeb (especially Zeb

) have been naughty. Excessive energy but on the other hand they hate walking in the rain and just walk as fast as they can to get back home.

ELubas · #5 05-29-2007, 06:29 PM

I agree NILIF, as much excercise as you can give her, and regular obedience training is the answer. Boxers are babies until they are three and need constant redirection and guidance. Also, there are some great threads on here on training as well as book recommendations. Hang in there-my girl is one as well and some days i am almost ready to surrender and just let her run the house

nateandangie · #6 05-29-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELubas

I agree NILIF, as much excercise as you can give her, and regular obedience training is the answer. Boxers are babies until they are three and need constant redirection and guidance. Also, there are some great threads on here on training as well as book recommendations. Hang in there-my girl is one as well and some days i am almost ready to surrender and just let her run the house

couldnt have said it better than all above. NILIF is key, sounds like she needs to learn her place in the pack. our zoe is just over 14 weeks, and she is just getting over a 2 week span where she was testing her dominance with us. she didnt get food, water, treats, pet, nothing without doing something for it!. this along with puppy kindergarten, now has her sitting or laying on her own will because she knows that is what she is supposed to do. we will continue this for a while.

i know it's tough, put persistence is key! make sure everyone in the household is treating her the same way.

good luck!

sandy's mom · #7 05-29-2007, 08:12 PM

It sounds like you are describing Napoleon when I first brought him home.
NILIF worked great with him. He was mad at the world and afraid of everybody and everything. Now...he loves everybody. He is still afraid of a lot of things, but he knows it doesn't have to be me or my family.
We all had to prove to him that we would not hit him or be mean to him in any way. It took a long time, but eventually he came around.
He still barks when he wants attention, but now it is only for a couple of minutes, instead of half an hour or longer.

You must have a lot of patience and love to give to a dog that has been treated badly. They must have boundries. Make your baby work for everything and she will learn to respect you. Give her lots of hugs and kisses and she will learn to love you. Play with her and take her on walks.
The energy will wind down in a year or so.

It is a long road, but you can do it. Be patient...
Good Luck!!

koquinn · #8 06-07-2007, 08:14 PM

Java is usually crazy dog about now (10 p.m.), but the kids took her for a walk up to the park and ran her around a bit. She hasn't moved off the couch since they went to bed around 9:15 p.m. I think that I'm going to enjoy having the kids off of school for the summer!!! No homework, no super early bedtimes, and one happy, sleepy pup!

Chiefsmom · #9 06-07-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

Is she getting enough excercise? A tired boxer is a happy boxer

This is so true!!! Chief is a nut until he gets ample exercise!!!

Then he's satisfied and well behaved. Every time he gets

, we take him outside and throw a tennis ball for him and Sam! He loves it! Once he wears out... he's content!!!