I have a boxer, just under 7 mos old. He LOVES the dog park, and he loves to play. The problem is, the other dogs (with the exception of the other boxers) don't appreciate his playing style. He wants to be chased, he jumps around in front of them, and sometimes he nips a little around the other dogs mouths. He also uses those boxer paws from time to time and bats at the other dogs. To him, its all in good fun.
Last night, his fun came back to bite him...literally. A great dane just got annoyed, pinned him down and was biting him. He was crying, mouth was bleeding, etc. He's totally fine, thankfully.
How can i work with him to make sure he's not so annoying to the other dogs?
If not, does anyone know of any Boxer specific parks or play groups in the Phoenix area?
2007-05-18 06:09:41 · 7 answers · asked by Dr25 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Also, he is in obedience training. I guess i could keep him on a leash, but then i don't really see the point of going to the dog park.
2007-05-18 06:19:10 · update #1
Boxers are high energy playful dogs. And per thier name, they tend to box with their front paws. Finally, puppies tend to annoy adult dogs. So, your boxer, an adolescent puppy is going to be a pest to dogs that don't like to play that way. Socialization is the answer, but in a different way than normal.
Usually, people think of socializing to make dogs less fearful and less aggressive. That's not a problem for you. What you want to do is locate sympathetic folks at the dog park who also own young, energetic dogs, such as Labrador retrievers, other boxers, rottweillers, and pit bulls. Obvously, you want to approach the owner to make sure that their dogs want to play. Then try to get together at the dog park with these folks to let your dogs burn off energy.
Another way to burn off energy is to play fetch and to run for 30 minutes in the morning and in the afternoon with your dog. Boxers love to jog, and you can train him to run with you, getting both in better shape. Also, you could jog before coming to the dog park to see if that will burn off some of the energy.
From a different perspective, the great Dane should have snapped at your dog to say, back-off. If the Dane did do that and your dog keep coming, then if the Dane pinned your dog, and didn't really treat to rip him up, then your dog may be learning to back off when other dogs tell him to go away. And that is also part of good training... to let your dog learn to speak "dog" with a wide variety of other dogs.
You might look for references to Turid Rugaas and Calming Signals, so that you can recognize early when other dogs don't want your dog to play with them.
2007-05-18 06:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by hanksimon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't keep him on a leash - that can bring out agression when they know they can't get away. When he gets too overwhelmed take him out for a time out walk. He needs a chance to cool off just like kids do when they get too into it. Also (I know it seems to defeat the park's purpose) tire him out before you go. Go for a jog or play rough with him. He'll learn how to act as he gets older, and the bite was a good experience for him. That's how they learn in the wild. Don't limit his dog park time now though. He needs these social interactions, and will eventually find his place.
2007-05-18 06:39:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Apparently the first person here who answered has no comprehension of the concept "dog park."
Anyhoo... what you need to do is work with him directly. Take him to the park, and keep him on the leash (not permanently, just to train). Bring him around to the dogs, and when he misbehaves, scold him and pull him away from the other dogs. When he is good, praise him and let him stay. Keep him away from the dogs when he is bad. Let him stay if he is good. Keep doing this over and over until he gets it. You can train him to stay off of people the same way. Eventually he'll learn to behave and you can let him off the leash... within the confines of the dog park, of course!
Good luck!
2007-05-18 06:19:38 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Typical boxer! Sounds like he's a puppy to me! keep scocializing him though...dogs have clues...he'll learn. You may want to do something that annoyes him when he gets a little overboard. Like flicking his nose. That was you dont have to keep him away from other dogs but you still get his attention to let him no thats not acceptable.
Your puppy is being a puppy, he will learn...
2007-05-18 06:38:53 · answer #4 · answered by teezy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would go to the Dogs at Play it really works to help your dog controle its temper around other dogs and helps them play nice so i would bring him to that.
2007-05-18 06:51:46 · answer #5 · answered by angle1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is greater broader than that. Behavioral themes are as a results of many components, inadequate exercising being one in each and every of them. Instability as a results of crappy breeding, and scarcity of socialization/education are a pair others. i do no longer understand, diverse canines require diverse quantities of exercising.
2016-11-24 21:58:12 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep your dog on a leash -it become a liability if something happens to another dog or person. get some obedience training.
2007-05-18 06:12:21 · answer #7 · answered by KitKat 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋