Behavior Issue

Question
QUESTION: I adopted a 11month old male boxer about 3 weeks ago and for the first few days he didn't bark, whine or make any noise (probably scared to death of being in a new place again) but after a while he got used to us, we started out rough housing with him and playing inside with him, but when we realized that he didn't know when to stop, we decided to stop altogether. So now we go outside and run and play fetch until he gets tired. But sometimes when we are inside he will start growling, barking, and eventually biting at our ankles, not to be mean, but because he either wants to play or he is bored or SOMETHING! He usually does it if we are sitting at the dining room table, or just not paying attention to him. we have asked several people about this and the most common response was exercise - so now we play 2-3 times throughout the day, in the morning before we leave, in the middle of the day (between 2 and 3), and again at night when we get home. To discourage the behavior we tried ignoring him, playing with him, giving him attention, yelling, going outside,we also tried rolling him over on his stomach - to show authority but all he does is bark more and bite harder. Please Help!!!

ANSWER: Hi Beth,

Congratulations on your new puppy!  Do you have any idea about his history?  That may clue you in (or me in, if you can tell me) on his behavioral issues.

You've already taken the first major step in stopping rough play.  Boxers DO enjoy a good wrestle but some just can't handle the stimulation...just like little kids...some things just make them too darn hyper!

Add a good 30 to 40 minute walk to your exercise routine.  Playing outside is great but an actual walk is also mental exercise (all the sights, sounds, smells) and will tire him more than fetch.  Exercise is great for a bored dog, however, exercise isn't going to curb biting behavior.  ;)

You've had him for 3 weeks but we'll give it only about 2 that he's been biting.  So in 14 days you've tried ignoring, playing, attention, yelling, outside, and the alpha roll (big mistake!!)...that's 6 different things.  You've essentially 'tried' something new every other day.  Pick one (not the alpha roll) and stick with it!

The alpha roll is used by mother dogs on puppies (very small puppies) and doesn't happen again once the puppy hits about 5 or 6 weeks.  You're not teaching him anything and running the risk of getting bit.  Please don't do it anymore.  I'm sure it was suggested to you but it was a bad suggestion.  ;)

A good thing to practice is to roll him onto his side.  Do this daily, periodically throughout the day.  Hold him on his side using as little force as you have to.  When he calms down, give him a nice massage and let him up.  Put a word to the behavior 'side', 'roll'...whatever you want.  This will put him in a submissive state of mind which is what you want.

Back to the biting.  :)  I have 2 personal favorites for this.  Ignoring and distraction.  Dogs only learn with consistency.  Keep in mind that a dog explores with his mouth...it's completely natural.  You just have to make him understand WHAT he can explore...and your ankles aren't one of those things.  When he bites, if you yell, play, respond...you're giving him attention which is, from what you describe, what he's seeking.  So he's won.  What is the negative consequence to this behavior?  None.

You by now should be able to tell when he's getting wound up and/or ready to bite.  Try to catch it before it happens.  Give him a quick, guttural 'eh-eh' and put him in a sit (if he knows sit).  If you don't catch it, pick him up, put him in the bedroom for 2 minutes and then let him out.  You're going to have to do this over and over until you think you're going to explode!  It's the only way he's going to learn.  NOW what's the consequence...I want attention, I'm going to bite, I get ignored.  Uh-oh...not good!

If you don't think you can do this and he has a favorite toy (he really has to DIG a toy for this to work)...keep his toy with you, when he bites give him the 'eh-eh' and when he's stopped biting (even for a second) give him his toy and praise him if he takes it.  This doesn't work with all dogs...you'll have to see.

I personally use the 'time out' with most.  I have one Boxer that is absolutely nuts for the Cuz toys so the distraction technique works really well with him.

No matter what you do, decide that's going to be your method and stick with it!  Everyone in the house must get on the same page.  You don't know how long he's been doing this (before your house) so it might take quite a bit of time to cure...he's way past the puppy nipping stage so this is a learned behavior for him.  With patience and consistency you'll get him over it!!

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

QUESTION: The rescue group said that he was left chained up outside. They said he was abused because of some bald spots on his ears, and some scars on his chest. But I think the bald spots are just from scratching (maybe fleas or something) because they have some hair on them. I think he was abused, and I Think the person kicked him and hit him a lot. he bites when he is playing and grabs at your pant legs and when you move your leg in the opposite direction of him (to get him off your pant leg) he runs for the heavens!

We do put him up in his kennel sometimes, because we can't take it anymore. But I feel like that tells him that his kennel is a punishment one because he doesn't like being in there, and because of that he barks...forever! and if we let him out after a few minutes, it's like telling him if he barks he will get let out.

I like the toy thing too, I think that is a great idea! what's a Cuz?

My boyfriend does the sit thing, and looks him in the eye and tells him to calm down and that works wonders...sometimes. and that's pretty much what we get, it works sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't.

It's funny that you said the rolling thing is bad, I work with someone who used to be a dog trainer, and her response was that it always led back to dominance and by putting him in a submissive place would help him understand. - what is the difference between being on his back and on his side? is it just the mother thing?

Thanks for your advice!
Beth

Answer
Hi :)

A bit about the alpha roll...I know it can be confusing.  The only time a dog is put on it's back in nature, by force, is when another dog (or animal) is trying to kill it.  If he relaxes, it's not because you've established dominance, it's because he's frightened.  You want your dog to behave out of respect, not fear.  Here are some good articles:

http://www.dogwhisper.com/book_review-alpha.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_roll

What I explained to you is not the alpha roll.  It's simply a submissive position that comes in handy in many different ways...toenail clipping, grooming, dispensing ear medication, etc.

This article is how to dremmel your dog's nails (also a good thing) but what I want you to see are the photos about halfway down.  This is a dog that has been trained in the side position...

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/dremel/dremel.html

You're absolutely correct that you don't want to use the kennel as punishment.  He should associate the kennel with goodies (feed him in there, treat him, etc. with the door open), not negativity.  If you're going to use time-out, use a bedroom or other room with a door.

That's great that your bf has found something that works, even sometimes.  Stick with it.  Combine that with the time-out!  

Here's what you do.  Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a cloth nail apron.  Buy 2.  Each of you wear the apron around the house (yes, yes you'll look silly but who cares?!) filled with goodies.  When he does something good, treat and praise him!  When he starts to bite and your bf does the sit bit, have him treat and praise, telling him 'good sit' or 'nice boy'...whatever.  If he acts up, put him back in the sit, treat and praise.  If he acts up again, time-out.  If you stick with this, barring any type of real aggression issues, it WILL work.  It might take months and you may want to lose your mind but it will work.  Consistency and patience consistency and patience (repeat as needed).  ;)

The problem you have on your hands stems from his raising.  He was tied to a tree or other object.  A dog that spends his life tethered often develops issues.  A normal dog can run if confronted (flight) whereas a tethered dog can only respond with aggression (fight).  He also wasn't socialized properly.  In essence, what you have is an 11 month old 6 week old (wrap your head around THAT one!).  You have adopted a dog that has to be trained as if he was just taken from the litter because the idiot that took him didn't do it.

http://www.boston-terrier-challenge.com/tests/cuz.html

That is a cuz.  The one with the little horns is a Bad Cuz, the other is a Good Cuz.  I buy the medium size.

You could also invest in a Kong if you've not.  Great toys as well!!