unacceptable behaviour

Question
QUESTION: First of all, thank you for this forum that allows us to learn about the dogs we live with.

We (me, wife, 9yr old son, 5 yr old daughter) have a 15 month old neutered male boxer.  Lately a trait of his has gotten out of control.  He typically goes crazy toward me at least once a day and usually in the evening after supper.  If I am sitting on the couch he will start pulling at my pants, nipping my ankles, barking, growling, lunging back and forth, grab my arm and try to pull me off the couch, etc...  If I get up will will jump at me barking, nip the back of my ankles (which really smarts depending on the type pants I'm wearing).  I mean he sounds down right mean.  He doesn't really do this with anyone else in the family but me.  Most of the time he is pretty obedient.  He has undergone alot of training and really knows what he is supposed to do and not do.  No matter what I do, it doesn't seem to stop him.  Eventually I just grab his collar and put him into time-out. After a few time-outs he settles down.  I honestly do not think that he is mean or aggressive as he shows no other signs.  What could he possibly be trying to do?  And how can I possibly get him to stop?

Would love your advice.

ANSWER: Hi Russell,

Bear in mind that I'm answering you without much of the background information that would be needed to truly diagnosis his behavior problem.

That said...

Normally, when a dog acts like this, barring any kind of physical or mental ailment, the behavior was rewarded at some point.  He may have done it one time or ten, and you reacted...whether it was positively (laughing at the goofy dog) or negatively, you gave him a reaction which equals attention.  This, in turn, turned the behavior into a fun game.

Because you mentioned the lunging back and forth, I do indeed think he sees this as play.  The 'Boxer wiggle' or 'kidney-bean' seems to be what you're describing and it is seen in every Boxer out there as an invitation to play or a reaction to joy/excitement.

Don't mistake obedience training for behavior/manners training.  Because he 'knows' sit, down, etc. doesn't matter in this case.

Also take into consideration that he is in his adolescent stage.  Boxers mature later than other breeds, mentally, and hit a crazy stage normally between 14 and 18 months.  At some point, during that time, they seem to lose any sense of calmness or normalcy.  It goes away, I promise.

What can you do to get him to stop?  It's simple, really, but will be time-consuming.  He's developed a habit.  The second he starts the behavior, assuming you're sitting, stand-up.  Don't speak to him, don't look at him (no eye contact) and don't touch him.  Fold your arms and look at the wall or the tv or out the window.  :)  When he's calm, sit back down.  If he starts, stand up.  If, while you're standing, he continues to go nuts (give it some time), turn your back.  You may get dizzy for all the circles you do.  

If he resorts to biting, yip like a puppy.  Many people prefer to shout 'No' which really doesn't work.  If you make a very quick, sharp 'eee' noise, he'll be startled thinking that he's hurt you (and I'm sure he has).  When he backs off, tell him CALMLY 'good boy'.

Give this about 3 minutes.  If, after that time, he's not settled (that's not to say you won't have to repeat these steps several times in a row), THEN put him in a time out.  Do not grab his collar...a hand coming towards the head in this manner can be misinterpreted as aggression.  Keep a leash handy...clip it on, walk him to the bedroom, put him away until he's calm.  Let him back out, and start all over if need be.  :)

I don't know how you play with him, you personally, but any type of wrestling, rough play isn't going to work for him and you at this stage of the game.  If you're able, you may also want to take a more active approach in his feeding/grooming/exercise (if you aren't).  When a dog sees you as a provider he also sees you as a leader which translates into more respect.

Because you've trained him extensively, you may want to incorporate the NILF method of training in your daily life.

http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-dog_nilf.htm

I hope this helps.  If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

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

QUESTION: Sure appreciate the response.

He's an interesting dog in that in some circumstances he shows me ultimate respect, but at other times (like what I previously described) he doesn't.  For example, when I feed him his meals, I make him sit and wait.  I will set the bowl of food down and he will sit right in front of it and wait for me to tell him its ok to eat.  I can go back into the living room and sit down to watch tv and he will sit and wait quietly looking at me to release him.  He won't move a muscle until I tell him to.  Also, before coming into the house, he will sit and wait for me to invite him in.  But...when he is going crazy toward me, it is as if he cannot hear me.  

This is typically how I handle him.  I will stand up while he is going nuts.  I will be telling him to stop.  He keeps going.  Eventually I lose my cool and grab his leash (as he runs around barking trying to keep me from grabbing the leash).  When I get a hold of him I pull him to the time out room and put him in scolding him "no bite".  Ha.  I'm sure that's not the right thing to do, but those little nips on the ankles hurt.  Ha.

Answer
There's your answer.  :)

You telling him to 'stop' is giving him attention.  I'm quite sure you repeat yourself...do it out loud...stop stop stop...sounds a bit like barking doesn't it?  

Then you lose it.  He senses it...now you're out of control.  What fun!  Then it turns into a game of chase...whooooo boy!!  

Now you're scolding him for something he's not doing at the moment...he has no clue what you're talking about.  You have a 1 second window to either praise or correct.  They must have taught you that in the obedience course you went through.  Praise immediately?  It's the same for corrections...timing is everything.

So my friend, I'm afraid his behavior, like most behaviors good or bad, is a result of your behavior and miscommunication.  Make no mistake, he hears you.  In all the right ways.  It's you that isn't communicating properly.

If you begin acting as I explained, you'll see a change.