Boxer Walks

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am from the UK and we've had our Boxer since 8 weeks. He is now coming up to 8 months. We used to let him off his lead all the time and he came back. Then he started jumping up at little kids and running off with other dogs. When he does this he goes deaf, and doesn't listen to me or my husband when we call him. My husband usually ends up running miles just to get him back. We feel we've gone backwards with his training as he is no good with his recall now. His lead walking has improved, however, he still pulls, and is quite strong, especially when he sees another dog! Please help.

ANSWER: Hi Karen,

At 8 months your puppy has begun to gain his independence and doesn't 'need' to listen to you any longer or stay by your side.  He, at this point, should not be permitted off lead.  Your husband running miles is great exercise for him and a lot of fun for the dog but it's not doing either of them any good from a training stand point.  ;)

Continue to work on his recall and in a month or two you'll be able to let him off again.  He's behaving perfectly normal.

There are two methods you can use for his walking (choose one and be consistent):

Be a tree:  every time he pulls, you stop.  He'll pay attention to you again and give you a look as to say 'why've we stopped then?'.  When he relaxes, you walk.  When he pulls, you stop.

Quick turn:  every time he pulls, give a quick turn (in any direction) and walk briskly away, causing him to follow.  What this does is focus his concentration on you because he's never quite sure where you're going to go.  :)

Both work just as well but use the one you're comfortable with.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Nicole, Thank you for your very quick reply. I will try the tree/quick turn methods and see how we go. When you say continue to work on his recall, how do I do this without letting him off the lead? We did buy one of those long 30ft leads, but it got so muddy and grotty we gave up using it. Is this the best method to use? Would you advise using this for a couple of months and then try him off the lead again? Also, do you have any tips with regards to the jumping up at kids/prams etc? Thanks. Karen

Answer
Hi Karen,

No problem :)  Sorry that I wasn't very clear on the recall, I had assumed you had already taught him using a lead, not that he was a natural!  ;)

The 30ft lead is what I would suggest as the best method,  yes.  I know they can get dirty and become a bit of a mess but it really is the best way.  If you still have it, invest in another that way you can toss one in the wash and still have a clean one as you'll need to practice daily.
Also buy a toy whistle.

Begin at home in the garden by blowing your whistle and treating (sort of like using a clicker)...do this a few times in a row, several times a day if your neighbors won't complain.  If you drive them mad, use the field.  :)

Clip him on the long lead, let him wander and then call him to you...once.  Act like a lunatic if you need to, jumping up and down, waving your arms about...be interesting.  :)  But only use your command one time.  Reel him in if need be (which is why the lead is so important).    When he gets to you, whistle and treat.

Do this all for about a week.  What he'll begin to do is associate the whistle with the treat.  BTW - use a treat that he will only get with the whistle...bits of chicken, cheese, hot dog...something very tasty that he doesn't get otherwise.

The next week, clip on his lead, let him wander and instead of calling him to you, whistle.  When he gets to you praise him like you've lost your mind and treat.  The more exciting you are, the more apt he is to come to you.

Keep reinforcing the whistle training at home.

Practice this all for a few weeks and then test him somewhere that's fenced in if you can find a place.  This will allow you to have him off lead but not turn it into a game of mile long chase.  Keep the session short and end on a positive note.  If he runs away, get him, clip his lead back on and do a good whistle recall...always end well!

If he is continuing to run away, he needs more practice.  :)

As far as jumping on children and prams...keep his lead short and put him in a sit as they're approaching.  Don't let him approach them.  Set him up for success!  As they are approaching, keep him focused on you with a treat.  As they pass, keep him in a sit (or make him sit if he gets up) and treat when they've passed.

If they stop to speak with you (and him), keep his leash very short and keep him in a sit.  If he gets up, put him back in a sit.  If he continues to jump, excuse yourself by telling them that you are training him and he's getting too excited...walk away.  (If the child is old enough and the parents permit, you can have the child treat as he's sitting).  He'll begin to associate both children AND behaving properly with treats.