Animal And Company: Re: [boxer lovers] trouble- any suggestions welcome

Heather:

I am lucky enough to be disabled (literally, in a lot of ways) and am home all day. It has been helpful with puppy. Heidi came home at 15 weeks, Gunther at 9 weeks. I immediately started training with them both and with having other dogs, they play A LOT all day! Excellent chew toys are the Kongs. I have several. You can find tons of recipes for stuffing on the 'net. Trick is - freezing them. I also have a 2 year old grandson (who came home here after birth) so have a housefull of toys. Heidi thought eating baby toys was a good thing a couple of times and also decided to chew on the couch a little. That was the worst of it. Gunther really hasn't damaged anything. Heidi was able to chew and damage things because she had massive crate anxiety. The couple of times we tried, she stressed so much she foamed at the mouth and there literally was a puddle around the entire cage. Other times, she broke out and bent the bars. I quit
trying because I had visions of her getting herself impaled on the bars. Over time with frozen kongs and other frozen bones (beef bones with hollow cavity that I could stuff and freeze, etc.), she stopped being destructive. Kinda funny - we were about to get married and had most of our stuff for the wedding piled up on the pool table. One day she decided that it might be fun to play with the bags of colored sand. Well - my carpet was full of very pretty colorful patterns all over our living room. Fortunately that was all she damaged that day. She turned 2 just after Christmas and has been wonderful ever since. We do Therapy 3x a week and other public appearances. She is always mentally and physically busy. There are toys (I have yet to buy any but I hear great things about) that are mthe otion toys. If left alone for a few moments, they move - keeping the dog intrigued. There are also brain toys that hide treats in hidden
compartments that the dog has to figure out how to get out. Slide a lever to uncover a hidden cavity, kind of thing. There are many in each toy. Again, tons of them on the 'net.

As for the panties - you could consider setting a mouse trap somewhere near the hamper that will snap if pup gets close by. I have used this a couple of times and the trap has never gotten the pup. Being creative, you could place a long sort of wood skewer on the trigger so that the only the pup comes into contact is the long skewer but it makes the trap snap. That might help. You could also try using an "air can" that you squirt near pup when pup goes in the direction of the hamper. To pup, it kinda sounds like a snake and they usually book it and with once or twice, ends the fascination. Also, you can get a tin can and fill it with metal objects (nails, screws, coins) making sure the lid is VERY HARD to get off. When pup goes near, shake can to make a lot of racket. See if any of those things help!

I sure hope I have offered you some pointers that will help. I have loved having both of my boxers as babies - maybe these few tips will help you be able to enjoy your baby for as long as he is still a baby and maybe change your mind about the "puppy - never again".

Hugs,
Val, Heidi (12/26/10) and Gunther (11/26/12)

" Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
Franklin P. Jones

________________________________
From: Heather Jones <heather.jones.mccaffrey@gmail.com>
To: boxerlovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 9:01 PM
Subject: RE: [boxer lovers] trouble- any suggestions welcome

Hi Val,

Can you share what you think are appropriate chew toys? In some ways I could very much relate to Aneli. I hope she doesn't mind, but I was laughing reading her post. We had boxers when I was growing up, but they were all adults when we got them. My dream of having a boxer came true a little over 4 ½ years ago when I got a senior at the shelter and she has just been a dream, has never done a single thing wrong, ever. We fostered a couple of 11 week old puppies last March and ended up adopting one of them. OMG, I will never do another puppy as long as I live.

We did take her to puppy school and she's quite smart, but man was she destructive. My prescription eye glasses AND my prescription sunglasses were two of the more expensive she's destroyed. I do have a harness for her and have been working with her on her leash manners. She's getting much better. House training was not a problem. My Maggie taught her and it only took a few days. We rarely leave her alone and when we do she goes in her crate for her safety and for the sake of the house. Keeping her from jumping on us or guests is difficult, but as long as we stay on her for several minutes with her calm command and hand motion, she's somewhat controlled. The one thing that I cannot seem to break her of though is eating my underwear. I try really hard to keep the closet door with the hamper closed, but if it's not, she is destroying my panties and she KNOWS that this is bad, but can't seem to control herself.

She really likes the antlers and I have given her the marrow bones, but I'm afraid of her breaking a tooth on the latter. Those yak cheese things are not cost effective at all. Can you share what other appropriate chew toys are helpful and any tips on how I get her to not eat my underwear? I can't wait until she turns two years old because I've convinced myself from all that I've heard that she will finally be a REALLY good dog then J

Boxer hugs and kisses,

Heather, mom to
Maggie/boxer/65 lbs/11 +yrs/ CKD, chronic pancreatitis, hypothyroidism, arthritis, arrhythmia controlled by sotalol, adult onset epilepsy, likely IBD and now a heart condition suspected to be ARVC or DCM
&
Gabby/boxer/70 lbs/15 mos/Major dietary indiscretions crazy puppy syndrome :)
Orange County, CA

Boxers are inherently working dogs and they "need" a job. Structured training is a must. Plenty of appropriate chew toys are also necessary. Both mental and physical "exercise" is very necessary with young Boxers. I have 2. My female is 2 years old and my younger boy is 5 months old. My older dog went through 3 - 6 week training classes, has since taken a "trick" class and is now a certified therapy dog. For 2 years old, she is excellent with not getting into trouble anymore. Before training, she was like your boy (except the housetraining - she had that solid by 4 months old). There are special harnesses you can purchase which will prevent him from being able to pull you in a walk. Being short-snouted dogs, the "gentle leader" is not the best choice. Can't remember the name of the ones I use, but the leash hooks on the harness at mid-chest. When the dog tries to pull, if forces them to turn and puts pressure on their chest making
it uncomfortable. It only took Heidi wearing that harness a couple times to learn. Rewards and praise to high heaven a good behavior. Ignore the dog entirely for a negative behavior. Also neuter - if not already done. That is very important, in my opinion.

Hope I helped.

Val, Heidi & Gunther

" Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
Franklin P. Jones

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