i have A MAD DOG?

Question

i have a year old boxer. she is crazy. she goes mad on lead, bt she is ok off lead in woods but she just chases other dogs and jumps at them in a playful way and if they dont like it she doeant get the hint. she has boundless energy. and she never stops licking things. And when we go out we lock her in a crate she always wees just outside it to show us that she doent want to!! HELP

i have taken her to obedience classes but it didnt seem to work because she got very overwelmed by all the dogs and got very excited and didnt calm down for the year we went!

Answer 1

Congratulations - you have a teen-aged Boxer!

There's really no "mad dog" here. What you have is a very young dog of a breed that was created for working. Working breeds are generally very energetic (which can sometimes translate to hyper) and very playful (which can sometimes translate to destroying the house), and Boxers are definitely both of those.

The very first thing I would address is the peeing in front of the crate. You said that you crate her when you go out - good for you, by the way, because the crate is a safe place for her to be! - but what do you do *before* putting her into her crate?

The best thing to do before crating, especially a young energetic dog, is to take them outside to go potty and also for some play time. Let her get some of her boundless energy out before crating her for several hours while you're out taking care of business. Doing that will help her stay calmer in her crate because she won't have all that pent up energy.

The other thing you may want to think about is *how* you are crating her. Have you made crate training fun, or has the crate become punishment - something you stuff her into roughly before leaving the house? Watch her body language and see what she is telling you. Is her head down? Is she hunkered down? If so, she may not be peeing because she "doesn't want to go" into the crate - she may be doing what is called submissive urination, which is a way for dogs to communicate, "Yes, you're the boss. I'm being submissive. I'm being a good girl. Please don't force me / shove me / yell at me."

With such an energetic breed you really may want to consider adding lots and lots of exercise to your day until she gets a bit older - I know that can be a drag, but she really needs it. You should schedule at least two 45-minute, brisk walks into your day. In addition to that, she will also need play time, and a workout for her brain (basic obedience - sit, down, come, etc.) EACH day. You can keep play and obedience sessions short - 15 minutes of throwing a ball, 10 minutes of working on commands here and there. Use treats for rewards and make training FUN.

If she goes mad on her leash, you have one of two problems - a lack of training or a lack of leadership. Or both. You need to start with the basics - setting rules for the walk. Your first rule needs to be that you don't go until she can sit at the door before you go outside. She won't sit, you're not going. They do pick that up quickly and it helps establish your position and your role as "leader" of your walk. Same goes for going through the door, through a gate, or across any kind of threshhold. YOU go first, not her. YOU control the walk, not her.

With the leash manners, there are lots of different approaches and lots of different training collars, halters, and harnesses you can use. It's best to try those out with a trainer who can show you how to fit and use them correctly so you don't do harm instead of good.

As a good rule of thumb, I've found the "go the other way" method to be working well. As soon as the dog starts forging ahead on a walk, turn around and go the other way while calling her to "heel". That way, she must change direction (she's no longer in control of where you're going), AND she sees you *leading* the way.

You absolutely need to keep her from chasing and jumping on other dogs. Not only does it annoy other dog owners when an out-of-control dog annoys theirs, but it may also get your dog injured or even killed. Not all dogs will tolerate an annoying dog, especially if she cannot take a hint, so don't be surprised if one of these days, another dog is going to bite her and does some major damage.

While I think that it's necessary for her to be exposed to other dogs (so that she gets used to them), it needs to be done in a controlled environment, such as a training class. Dogs don't need to come nose to nose off-leash to learn manners around each other, and a class is a good environment for your dog to learn that it's *not* okay to lunge at or jump onto a strange dog. (And owners learn that it's not okay to *let* their dog do those things.)

I know you've tried classes before but your dog was overwhelmed. It's not uncommon for a young, hyper dog to be overwhelmed in class. It should have been addressed properly by your trainer - as it didn't in the entire time you went, I would suggest you find a better trainer / class in your area because the one you were working with didn't address your needs.

One thing you absolutely need to do is exercise your dog before coming to class. She needs to get some of that energy out before getting into a structured environment. The other thing is, if your class uses treats, do not feed her on the days you have class. She needs to be more interested in the food rewards than the other dogs - and if she's a little bit hungry, that may do the trick.

A good class will make sure that your dog does not get overwhelmed. Some of the methods they may use is to place you apart from the other dogs, giving you extra space, or using divider screens between you and the other dogs so that you can participate in class but she won't get as riled up. Some facilities also offer a special "rowdy rovers" class for hyper, excited dogs where they teach you how to calm and relax your dog in class. Try to find a place near you (you may have to travel a bit!) that offers such a service - they are out there!

Answer 2

This dog (and you) needs serious training. Take the dog back to obedience classes. They teach YOU how to train your dog. As a person that walks their dog on a lead I have to say, I detest running across people like you while out walking my dog. A dog that is off lead and running up to other dogs and people is not just a nuisance, your dog can be frightening to people that are afraid of dogs. Also your dog can be in danger. When your dogs "chases other dogs and jumps at them in a playful way and if they dont like it she doeant get the hint. " how do you know that dog is social? how do you know those dogs will not be threatened and attack? How do you know she is not running up to an aggresive dog that will tear her apart? The dog is not crazy, she is untrained. She is not the only one "not getting the hint."

Answer 3

You don't have a mad dog, you have an energetic, poorly trained and socialized puppy.
It is your job as her owner to socialize your dog, get her to meet other dogs on a regular basis, so she's not so excited when she meets another dog. As for her playing up on the lead, that's just training as well.
And why lock her in a crate, when not home. She is literally wetting herself at the thought of being locked-up. How big is it and how long does she spend in there?
It doesn't sound like she's the only one who could do with some training!

Answer 4

Crazy indeed.

Maybe she pees before she goes into her crate because she doesn't want to sully it waiting for your return. You should walk her far to relieve and tire her out first. Tired dogs cooperate and can be trained better.

You need to get in control of your routines and take a class on how to walk your dog. Dog owners don't realize what it takes to communicate with their dogs. You go to class to develop your dog's vocabulary of understanding, and to learn how to build on it.

For starters, you could learn to be the leader. She behaves this way because she, the little dog, is your leader. It's another way of saying your dog is spoiled and yea, neurotic. She doesn't know what you want. Make sure your dog is asked to sit and lie down for you often, especially before you feed or pet her. Teach your dog to stay and come. The basics. Crate, then leash and relieve. Don't leave the dog in there for more than four to five hours.

Where is a calm and older dog when you need one? An older dog will teach your dog manners - dog manners. They innocuously snap at "teenagers" to further socialize the young dog in boundaries and when enough is enough. It looks scary, but is harmless. Dogs have a social structure too. Small puppies can do anything, but adolescents and teens have to listen for their own safety.

Answer 5

Boxers are a large extremely energetic breed. It is important to match the dog's traits to the family's lifestyle. It sounds like boxer doesn't match your family. That's why it is so important to research a breed before you get a dog. She is acting like a boxer. She's just normal for the breed. But she doesn't fit your family. I hope this works out for you and for your dog.

Answer 6

Obedience classes are a lot of fun for both the owner and the dog.

Answer 7

Well...I have a mad puppy crazy and I am giving her away to where she can be better trained. thats my answer.