I have a very nearvous Boxer dog.?

Question

I got him from the pound last Christmas, he was badly beaten and starved.
As a family we have done everything, but he still has a lot of issues and is still very scared.
Any hints on where we are going wrong.
He is about a year and a half old.

Answer 1

There really isn't too much you can do but give the dog love and time. Try not to make to many fast movements around him for a while. It takes dogs years to get over those memories. Don't let it offend you if the dog is skidish just keep reassuring it. Also a good tip is to reach you hand out palm down when trying to pet him. It looks less like you are going to hit him.

Answer 2

You definitely need group obedience-lots of these people are correct. The more you cuddle him when he is afraid-the moe you are re-inforcing the behaviour of being afraid. The other thing you can do is to get an opinion from an animal behaviourist. This is not the same as a trainer. The more you socialize him the better he will be. If you need help your vet should be able to help you or you may try to locate one on the internet that is close to your home. Alternately, phone all the vets in your area (not necessarly your own) and ask who they recommend. This may help you narrow down a good one. Hope this helps you out.

Answer 3

I wish I could know exactly how he reacts to situations. I have a nervous Basset. We got him as a puppy and he was never abused one bit. But he is very nervous around loud noises and plastic bags....and dishes clanking, brooms, bikes (deathly afraid of bikes) and on and on. It's just the way he is. But he is not nervous with other dogs or people at all. I just ignore him when he gets scared and I go about what I was doing. If he is acting scared over a plastic bag I say "Your fine." And thats it, I don't baby him at all because if you baby him, he will think there is a reason to be scared and it gets worse. If he doesn't act scared when we walk past a person on a bike, I praise the crap out of him and give him treats. I try to keep him around the things that he is scared for example when I need to sweep, I don't put him outside. I do this in hopes that some day he will get used to these things and it will get better.
Whatever the issues are, don't ever yell at him when he gets scared as it will only make it worse. Either ignore it or try to talk him through it by saying in a soft voice, "your just fine" and try to get him out of that state of panic. If he acts normal around a situation that he would normally get nervous, praise him and give treats. Always give positive reinforcement without babying. Take him to dog training and have a one on one training with a professional. Your doing just fine.

Answer 4

you are not doing anything wrong! my grandma has a really nervous dog that runs away from anybody whom she does not know... especially men! My aunt is a vet and they had someone come bring the dog into her, and the dog had a lot of broken bones. They think that the dog was beaten very badly.

you just need to give this dog lots of love! if it runs away from you, or acts scared, just back off a little bit and give it its room. the dog will come to terms in her own time!

And, oh yeah, be careful with scared dogs. Some dogs tend to be violent if they are too scared! but it will be okay if you love your dog.

hope this helps!

Answer 5

I really recommend training classes, especially with group training. Seeing other dogs having a good time, or at least not frightened to death, really helps a lot. And a professional trainer can help you build the dog's confidence. Learning commands and tricks boosts a dog's confidence so much, and that actually does help his fear issues. After obedience class, you might consider agility, so he'll have something to do to use up all that boxer energy. Good luck.

Answer 6

What you have here is a typical Domino effect...the boxer is nervous because of his species and mostly due to his upbringing.

Then you all see the Boxer's nervousness and you express concern; the dog senses this; then maybe you whisper to each other

what can we do to stop the dog's nervous?

THIS MAKES THE DOG VERY NERVOUS because he feels insecure because he cannot understand your words.

SO MAKE THE DOG FEEL WANTED AND SECURE; like say to the dog

we will never abandon you,,,you always have a home with us; and really mean this.

Make sure he has his own Doggie bed. anne

Answer 7

He has been traumatized, and just like with children, it will take time and patience on your part.
I suggest taking him out on a leash, and rewarding him with treats along the way.
Perhaps some obedience classes where he will be exposed to other dogs and people, but if you do, be sure to tell the instructors of his problems.
Repetition wih no bad results will help wipe out his memories, but be prepared...he might never get over his problems. It really depends on what happened when he was young.
You do not say what happened or what he is araid of, so I can only guess.

Answer 8

well i know they say not to but absolutely spoil him with his favorite treats that should be hand fed by everyone in and outside of the family give him/her TONS of love and petting
is he/she left at home alone a lot if so try to be at home with him/her more and take him/her to parks and stuff a few times a week

Answer 9

Maybe nothing. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes they don't get over it. And some dogs are naturally timid.

Try and socialize him and expose him to lots of different situations. Go slow and give him time to adjust to each new thing. But encourage with praise and treats each time he gets a bit braver.

Answer 10

i miss my boxer mix i had,. best dog ever. (once he was trained) i had a trainer come to my house and help me. it was about 200$ for 8 1hour sessions. it was more about me learning about the dog. i wish you would have said what the issues where. mine would sh** on the floor the second we left. even if we weren't out for a smoke without him. he was terrified to be left alone. the dog trainer really helped.