Bad Dog Behavior
Bad Dog Behavior
I have a four and a half year old un-neutered Boxer mix. For several months now, when my dog gets out of the fence, he kills my neighbor's chickens and ducks. He does not eat them, just kills them. This neighbor says that once my dog tasted blood, he became a killer and will continue to kill. It will break my heart to have to have him put down. Ordinarily, he is a sweet, loving and loyal dog and gets along with people quite well. Is there anything I can do to correct this behavior?
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slvrwhispr
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 11:48 pm
- Location: Canton, MI
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Re: Bad Dog Behavior
Why isn't he neutered? The fact that he wasn't altered at a young age means he's going to be naturally aggressive. This is a fighting breed. He needs an avenue to work out that aggression in a healthy manner. This means long, brisk walks, appropriate playtime, and strict boundaries. If you can't provide enough exercise and discipline for the dog, then find a new home for him. But there is no need to put him down. Any dog can be rehabilitated.
Re: Bad Dog Behavior
Get him neutered, RIGHT AWAY.
He shouldn't be escaping from your fence. FIX THE FENCE.
Your neighbor could bring charges against you and I'm surprised they haven't, and animal control can confiscate your dog, and it wouldn't be a good fate. You could also face heavy fines.
Why would you even put your dog into such a dire consequence?
He shouldn't be escaping from your fence. FIX THE FENCE.
Your neighbor could bring charges against you and I'm surprised they haven't, and animal control can confiscate your dog, and it wouldn't be a good fate. You could also face heavy fines.
Why would you even put your dog into such a dire consequence?
..........Traci
Re: Bad Dog Behavior
Agree with the above....get his pocets picked ASAP
Re: Bad Dog Behavior
[quote="slvrwhispr"]Why isn't he neutered? The fact that he wasn't altered at a young age means he's going to be naturally aggressive. This is a fighting breed. He needs an avenue to work out that aggression in a healthy manner. This means long, brisk walks, appropriate playtime, and strict boundaries. If you can't provide enough exercise and discipline for the dog, then find a new home for him. But there is no need to put him down. Any dog can be rehabilitated.[/quote]
I beg your pardon! I came to you for help. You don't need to be so judgemental and presumptuous. You don't know my situation. He isn't neutered because someone dumped a malnourished, mistreated and abused young female lab in my yard about the same time and she came into heat. I had to have her spayed first (The fence was not installed yet). I didn't even have him when he was at a "young age". I just spent a fortune having the fence put in so they wouldn't be running the streets. And as far as my neighbor is concerned, he is a very nice and understanding man, who would never do something like you suggest--calling law enforcement and confiscating someone's pet. We are Southern country people living in a small community who don't do such things to each other. We work our problems out. I live on a fixed income and make financial choices based on that income. All my pets have been rescues and all get spayed and neutered, see the vet regularly, get their vaccinations and heartworm medicine, etc. I do the best I can, and as far as finding him a new home, that is out of the question! I will do whatever it takes to correct his behavior. That is why I came to this website--for help and advice--not a lecture attacking me. Maybe I made a mistake doing so. I hope not. Now, can someone advise me as to how I can rehabilitate him after he comes back from the vet tomorrow minus his nuts?
I beg your pardon! I came to you for help. You don't need to be so judgemental and presumptuous. You don't know my situation. He isn't neutered because someone dumped a malnourished, mistreated and abused young female lab in my yard about the same time and she came into heat. I had to have her spayed first (The fence was not installed yet). I didn't even have him when he was at a "young age". I just spent a fortune having the fence put in so they wouldn't be running the streets. And as far as my neighbor is concerned, he is a very nice and understanding man, who would never do something like you suggest--calling law enforcement and confiscating someone's pet. We are Southern country people living in a small community who don't do such things to each other. We work our problems out. I live on a fixed income and make financial choices based on that income. All my pets have been rescues and all get spayed and neutered, see the vet regularly, get their vaccinations and heartworm medicine, etc. I do the best I can, and as far as finding him a new home, that is out of the question! I will do whatever it takes to correct his behavior. That is why I came to this website--for help and advice--not a lecture attacking me. Maybe I made a mistake doing so. I hope not. Now, can someone advise me as to how I can rehabilitate him after he comes back from the vet tomorrow minus his nuts?
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slvrwhispr
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 11:48 pm
- Location: Canton, MI
- Contact:
Re: Bad Dog Behavior
No, I don't know your situation. That's why... I asked. Rather than saying OH YOU HORRIBLE PERSON HOW COULD YOU NOT NEUTER THAT DOG WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?? All I did was ask.
I'm also a southerner living in a small community, but people do things like that to each other all the time. It's good that you can trust your neighbors but not many people can these days.
I don't know where you think that I attacked you. I addressed the questions you asked and at no time did I say anything in regards to you or your character.
As for how to rehabilitate him, you need to set clear rules and boundaries for the dog -- be a leader, not just an owner. Don't let him get away with anything because if you give him an inch he'll take a mile. Anything he gets away with -- stealing a table scrap, being on furniture he's not allowed on, inappropriate chewing or digging, so on and so forth -- will make him think you're not a strong leader. Correcting him doesn't need to be done with hitting or yelling. A sharp sound (clap, snap, "no," or similar word), quick tug on a collar or leash will suffice, or a light scruff to stop him from fixating on things. Do this around the house every day and he'll be less likely to misbehave when your back is turned.
Number two is to make sure he gets PLENTY of exercise. Boxers are very intelligent and very high energy. Any energy not expended in exercise or play will manifest as mischief. Boxers have been bred as hunters and fighters, so it might be impossible to stop him from hunting the ducks and chickens -- it's in his genetics. Your best chance at stopping this behavior is to make sure he's sufficiently exercised every day to lower his temptation. They're working dogs who like to have a purpose; if you're not the type to go for a jog with the dog, you might want to try a dog backpack. Let him carry water bottles, your keys (if you trust him not to run off), or other objects. That will fill his brain's desire to be DOING something.
You could also contact a Boxer rescue and see if they have any breed-specific exercises that others have used in rural settings to effectively get their Boxers to keep from hunting neighboring animals.
I'm also a southerner living in a small community, but people do things like that to each other all the time. It's good that you can trust your neighbors but not many people can these days.
I don't know where you think that I attacked you. I addressed the questions you asked and at no time did I say anything in regards to you or your character.
As for how to rehabilitate him, you need to set clear rules and boundaries for the dog -- be a leader, not just an owner. Don't let him get away with anything because if you give him an inch he'll take a mile. Anything he gets away with -- stealing a table scrap, being on furniture he's not allowed on, inappropriate chewing or digging, so on and so forth -- will make him think you're not a strong leader. Correcting him doesn't need to be done with hitting or yelling. A sharp sound (clap, snap, "no," or similar word), quick tug on a collar or leash will suffice, or a light scruff to stop him from fixating on things. Do this around the house every day and he'll be less likely to misbehave when your back is turned.
Number two is to make sure he gets PLENTY of exercise. Boxers are very intelligent and very high energy. Any energy not expended in exercise or play will manifest as mischief. Boxers have been bred as hunters and fighters, so it might be impossible to stop him from hunting the ducks and chickens -- it's in his genetics. Your best chance at stopping this behavior is to make sure he's sufficiently exercised every day to lower his temptation. They're working dogs who like to have a purpose; if you're not the type to go for a jog with the dog, you might want to try a dog backpack. Let him carry water bottles, your keys (if you trust him not to run off), or other objects. That will fill his brain's desire to be DOING something.
You could also contact a Boxer rescue and see if they have any breed-specific exercises that others have used in rural settings to effectively get their Boxers to keep from hunting neighboring animals.
Re: Bad Dog Behavior
Please see your Private Message.
BTW, slvrwhispr wasn't attacking, if anything, you should be more upset with my post, since I was so blunt. Slvrwhispr was simply responding to what was provided in your post, and has subsequently given you a lot of great advice.
In any event, please stay on, we have several experienced dog lovers here who may be able to help...but please, make a committment to the task of getting him trained to avoid the current situation.
BTW, slvrwhispr wasn't attacking, if anything, you should be more upset with my post, since I was so blunt. Slvrwhispr was simply responding to what was provided in your post, and has subsequently given you a lot of great advice.
In any event, please stay on, we have several experienced dog lovers here who may be able to help...but please, make a committment to the task of getting him trained to avoid the current situation.
..........Traci