A unique situation (LONG) - Page 2

CashNGeorgia · #13 23rd May 2011, 10:58 AM

Yes, it has absolutely been a while. You are right, I am not over the loss of my dog. But, as I knew it was going to happen, Cash helped to soften the blow. Not a moment goes by where I don't think of her. This new puppy thing IS a challenge, but I figure if I can go through being pregnant, and giving birth to four children, then I can absolutely handle this!

Snowdogg · #14 23rd May 2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CashNGeorgia

Yes, I probably didn't react in the best way, and I realize it now. I just couldn't believe that he was doing that to me. As for him..he really IS laid back. Even my vet commented on how laid back he is. He does play, but he spends a lot of time sleeping too, and snoring at that. As for the 'food agression'..don't you think that is cause for concern, considering he's only 11 weeks old??

Yes, you are right, there are laid back boxers out there, I do remember one of our old neighbors who had 2 female boxers, the owners tried to get them to go for a walk and they didn't want to go, they would sit in the middle of the street and not budge, and when we tried to get them to play with our old boxer they would sit looking at him and he'd run circles around them

You are on here looking for advice and I think that's great, best of luck

Raleigh, 5 year old Brindle wild boy x

Morrissey and Brooster, Fawn males, 11 years old, always in our hearts, at the bridge xx

CashNGeorgia · #15 23rd May 2011, 02:38 PM

Thank you..I appreciate your kind words. The only way I can learn about them is learning from people with experience with these dogs. I am trying to be the best to these dogs!! I love them already! Earlier today I brought Cash in as I have a bad ear infection and wasn't feeling too good. He laid on me the whole time, sleeping as I took a nap.

meoklmrk · #16 23rd May 2011, 06:15 PM

Just wanted to add that Boxers are a vocal breed, not so much when it comes to barking, but they growl a lot and they play rougher than any other dog breed I have come across. People often mistake this for aggression, which the vast majority of the time it is not, on a number of occasions I have had people get nervous around Cooper, and I have explained to them the above, most of the time they nod their head unsure, basically thinking I am being reckless with my aggressive dog when the truth is he has never shown any kind of real aggression to anyone or thing and if he did I would be the first to spot it.

So I doubt that Cash was showing any real aggression to you or Georgia, I think that he was probably just being a typical Boxer pup albeit showing a little bad manners. These things take time and training. Best of luck.

CashNGeorgia · #17 23rd May 2011, 08:30 PM

Okay this may sound stupid, and I hope that it doesn't..but here goes.. Since I overreacted and "popped" him, his attitude towards me has changed. He just seems to tolerate me, where as before he would come running and lick. I don't know if he's just gotten older, or that I have screwed things up. Am I being too needy but wanting his attention because I feel bad? There's nothing worse than being rejected by your dog!! What can I do?

prittiegirl · #18 23rd May 2011, 10:37 PM

Well, as mentioned by the other posters, he would not know what "No Cash" meant, so therefore all he knows is you "popped" him on his nose and it hurt and maybe you will do it again. Boxer respond to positive reinforcement, not negative/punishing training.

I would take time to build up your relationship again. Some of the feeding suggestions earlier are good, because he will learn that you = food and this will be a positive association. Once he knows that you = feeding, play and love, you will start to bond.

Just don't pop him on the nose again, even if you are feeling frustrated. Take a second or use a sound - I use "ahh!" to interupt a behaviour that I disagree with and then re-direct.

Good luck!

johann · #19 24th May 2011, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CashNGeorgia

Okay this may sound stupid, and I hope that it doesn't..but here goes.. Since I overreacted and "popped" him, his attitude towards me has changed. He just seems to tolerate me, where as before he would come running and lick. I don't know if he's just gotten older, or that I have screwed things up. Am I being too needy but wanting his attention because I feel bad? There's nothing worse than being rejected by your dog!! What can I do?

The great thing about dogs is that they don't hold grudges. He may be a bit wary of your hands for a bit (since to him, it was an unwarranted hit). Make sure you make it a fun game to reach for his collar by rewarding with treats and play. Be super exciting and make a lot of noise....I bet he runs right over to see what fun is going on.

Cami · #20 24th May 2011, 07:01 AM

The most sensitive part on a dog is their nose followed by their necks (high up).
Liken what might be going on to something like this:
You meet a person for the very first time and think they are great! You want to be their friend and spend as much time with them as possible. One day you reach across the table to take the newspaper they are reading. Without thinking they are instantly angry at what you did and they slap you across the face and yell something at you in a language you don't speak. You have no idea what they said but it was said in an angry tone and the slap, although it wasn't something that would leave a physical scar it makes you think twice about your decision to be their friend. The pain you suffered has since passed but you are going to be a little leery of them until you see them behaving better towards you. They will have to earn your trust again. You might even want to keep your distance for a bit since you still don't know what they said when they yelled at you but you knew they were upset and reacted badly towards you.

The good thing here is that dogs quickly learn to let things go much faster than humans do but still being cautious is instinctual until they learn otherwise.

A sure fire way to get him over the hump, (so to speak) would be to make your hands as un-scary as possible. Smear some peanut butter on your hands and let him lick it off. You will teach two things here....hands aren't so bad after all. You made a mistake! The 2nd thing going on would be to let him know that licking hands is far preferred over mouthing/biting/nipping at hands. Easily washed off as well.