Dog people: a word please?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I am an unappologetic cat guy but, to please the family I witheld protest when the kids wanted a black Lab puppy. He’s a year old, cute enough I guess, and has decent manners. But when the kids went back to school leaving him alone in the house for 8 hours a day he started getting visibly depressed. Not mellowing out in the way Labs don’t, but listless, sad-looking and generally mopey. Dog park perked him right up but that doesn’t fit our schedule except on a few weekends.

So…we got him a puppy. Well, by “puppy” I mean a 50 pound 8 month old Boxer mix. And he is happy as I’ve ever seen him. He’d be growing on me if I wasn’t such a stone cold cat man. And the new dog is sweet enough I guess.

But. Everyone has known a kid who is by all accounts a good, decent kid who gets into mischief from time to time but nothing really bad. He’s reliable, predictable, intelligent and considerate as a rule. Except for when he plays with that one friend of his. That one friend–that’s the boxer.

We knew she was a bit hyper when we got her (from a shelter so who knows what her history is), but just chalked that up to enthusiasm and friendliness. Now, because she’s new to the scene, and because she just had her baby factory plucked, and because she and the Lab became instant wrestling buddies and partners in crime, we put her in a cage/crate during the day and blocked her and Lab in the kitchen (where there is a doggy door to a good-sized back yard) using some reasonably tall baby gates. Today was day 1 and I came home for lunch around 11:00. New kid was out of the kennel (no idea how), both had hopped the baby gates (never seen the lab jump that high before) and the poor living room was simply no match for them. I came home to a pair of really happy dogs bouncing around like two 50-pound fleas amid the shredded remains of half a dozen books and copious filth. I’m glad they didn’t think to explore the lower level where the cats live.

Now I know young dogs are a source of nearly boundless energy anyway, but the Boxer is really nuts. After I got my heart restarted this afternoon I locked them both out in the yard (with water, no worries) for the rest of the day. But in Colorado that only works until about the end of October before you end up with frozen dogs. So I have about 2 months to get the point across. I have to assume she was surrendered because her previous keepers couldn’t deal with her and she’s essentially untrained. My question is: how do you train a dog to rein it in indoors, and save the crazy energy for the back yard?

2

I would suggest looking into hiring a dog walker or even dropping the dogs off at doggie daycare a few times a week. That would be a great way to get a hyper dog some exercise and mental stimulation. It’s often said “A tired dog is a good dog”.
Imagine if someone locked you in a small, boring room for hours on end. You’d probably get restless after a while. That’s what it is like for dogs that were bred to be active and have to stay in a house without much to do.

Another idea might be to buy a treadmill and have the kids walk the dogs on it. Even though treadmills have a bad reputation for being used to train dogs for dog fighting, it is a legitimate way to get a dog necessary exercise.

3

You find a professional who is well-reviewed and drop some money on proper training.

I’m a dog person. We’ve always had dogs, lots of 'em. I love dogs. But when my lab mix proved that her issues were not going away with age (I assumed it was puppy foolishness), I bit the bullet and hired a trainer. Despite me thinking I knew what I was doing, the trainer . … I mean, she’s like a lady Dog Whisperer. She’s amazing. So many little things that make so much sense that I just wasn’t doing. Well worth the money (I paid $50 a session for 6 at home sessions).

The biggest crux of her plan is exercise. This is not the dog park every couple weekends or even letting the dogs run around and play— in fact, she’s a huge advocate of daily, directed exercise. You’ve got two very smart breeds of dog there so this is extra important for you. My trainer said I needed to shoot for at least twenty minutes, twice a day. You can bike with the dogs, run with the dogs, if you’ve got a pool they can swim, but you have to be directing them and making them work. I take my dogs on a walk in the morning and one in the evening-- both at least 20 minutes. During the walks, they can’t pee or sniff or veer off. They’ve go to be that alert, head forward dog walking groove. When we’re done, we come home, they are allowed some water, then they have to lay on their beds for 20 minutes. They can’t get off the beds or play-- they have to sit there, calmly, for 20 full minutes. After the 20 minutes is up, they can get up and do whatever, but you’d be AMAZED how much just a 20 min little walk, then 20 mins of forced sitting gets their little brains rewired.

She suggests that any training stuff be done after that 20 minute cool down period, because that’s when they’ll be most focused. Also, by making them lay on their beds (and it can be actual beds, blankets, or towels, doesn’t matter, just have something), it makes their beds a more comfy, safe space for them— meaning if you were to put the beds into a crate or whatever, they’ll probably stay a little calmer eventually.

Either way, you’ve got big, smart dogs. Every few weekends at the dog park aren’t going to cut it— and even then, while dog park stuff is definitely fun, it’s not going to get your dogs the daily, dedicated, focused puppy work out they need. Surely between the members of your household, you guys can spare 40 mins twice a day to get the dogs in shape. I mean, I’d still hire a trainer, but that’d be my advice because it worked for my giant herd of hounds.

4

We adopted another rescue last spring, and doggie daycare is great. Really affordable, too…it costs us about $7/day. We take the puppy about twice a week, and there is a very noticeable difference in her behavior on doggie daycare days. She loves going, and from all reports has a great time there. On non-daycare days she’s…challenging…after being in her kennel all day. We’re about to start weaning her off the kennel during the day. She’s big enough (50 pounds) that the two males won’t accidentally squish her, and she’s got them both used to the notion that she’s in charge among our pack.

5

Holy crap! Is that a puppy rate, or their normal rate? That’s exceptionally low - I’ve gone to a number of doggy daycares both rural and urban, and I can’t find anything less than $20/day. Which, frankly, is worth every penny for my dogs. I certainly wouldn’t tell your daycare they’re undercharging, but I might bring them donuts every now and then…

6

I agree. That’s insanely cheap. I’ll take my guy once a week so he has some playtime with other dogs and it’s $20 for four hours and $35 for full day.

7

My wife handles the logistics, but the daycare is at our vet, and that’s the normal rate. They have two areas, one for small dogs and one for big dogs. Our puppy recently “graduated” to the big dog area. The Druidess drops the puppy on her way to work around 7:30-8:00 AM, and one of us, usually her, will pick up before 6:00 PM.

8

What Diosa said.

  1. Throw some money at a good dog trainer. I’m a fan of BarkBusters, but it doesn’t matter. Smart dogs need to think to burn off energy, as well as play.
  2. Tired dog = good dog. Walks, walks, walks. Throw a ball or frisbee or stick for 10 minutes on your lunch hour. Practice training after the walks when the zoomies are mostly out. Sometimes, I actually stop the dog, midwalk, randomly, and make her go through her “tricks.” I like to do this where there’s distraction – in front of a neighbor’s house where there’s a barking dog in the yard, next to a school playground, down the block a bit from a construction site, etc. Anything you can do to get the dogs to think helps them settle down.
  3. I would suggest crate training but Houdini boxer dog has already busted out, so…
  4. Here’s a list of indoor games you can play with the dog that are all thinky games and also fun for both you and the dog.
    Other indoor dog games.

I know you’re busy, but you can’t just adopt a puppy and expect it to lay around 24/7 waiting for you to have ten minutes to give it attention. Dogs are pack animals. They require interaction with their pack. Absent a dozen other dogs, their humans (and their cats) are their packs. So… be the pack leader. I found with my American bulldog that she is basically a working dog and needs something to do. When I can’t play and train with her, I highly recommend frozen beef soup bones. I get 5-6 of them for about $3 in the beef section at the grocery store. She loves bonecicles and they keep her busy for a while.

9

You seem to not exercise the first dog enough, so it’s depressed. If you can’t keep up with exercising one dog, taking on a second dog is kind of foolish, in my opinion. Without enough exercise to tire them out, (one or two walks a day), you’re going to be dealing with a handful, for a long time to come I think.

More exercise will produce the best results, in my opinion. It’s easy, takes no special equipment and is good for your health and your dogs, just walk them more already.

10

Dogz Rule here in Memphis is 20 dollars a day regardless of whether it’s a full day or just a few hours. My daughter handles the little dogs and says many people bring in dogs only a few times a week just to get a work-out and it helps them settle down on their off-days.

11

Some of this is that they are both still babies/teenagers - they will grow out of it, a bit.

In the meantime, yes to all the above!

Exercise - ball throwing, leash walks, mental exercise too.
Training - money VERY well spent. Basic agility stuff is a lot of fun, and would wear out your kids too :slight_smile:
Day care - also money well spent.

Frankly you may have jumped the gun a bit getting a second young dog, but it’s a little late to say that. So now you (and by you I mean ‘family’ you) need to get some education for your dogs and yourselves, and you’ll all be much happier :slight_smile:

12

While they will probably indeed grow out of it, my impression is that Boxers are the jocks of the dog world. The Boxers I’ve met are all like “Dude! I just finished 20 reps!” sniffs own armpit “Booyah!” chest bump

edit: and thanks for knowing not to leave them outside in winter; while Labs are somewhat cold-weather-resistant, Boxers certainly aren’t.

13

Heh, yeah she is definitely a jock–mutt can pull herself some leash!

The lab did get tug-o-war and chase-the-tennis-ball every day, but it was never enough and he’d get gloomy when the games were over and we all went about our chores for the night. We’ll look for time to work in regular walks for both of them and come up with some other stuff to get their brains moving. I appreciate the help so far. I can operate cats better than anyone I know, but apart from understanding they’re not cats, dogs are mysterious and unsettling to me.

14

Training works their brains as well as their bodies, FYI. So it tires them out in two different ways, which is great.

15

Obedience training would help a lot with the leash-pulling.

My dog is 75 pounds and I don’t weigh much more than that. I had to stop the leash pulling because she was dragging me all over the neighborhood. That meant *she *was in charge – the leader of our little pack – which meant she wouldn’t really do much of anything I said. This was a huge problem with a very strong, powerful dog. A couple training sessions, including emphasis on leash training, and I had a completely different dog. Now she pretty much heels unless one of her boyfriend dogs is in sight and then we have to go see him. Sometimes she gets into the walk and starts to pull a little bit, but now, I give the leash a short, quick tug and watch while she slows down to meet my pace. I don’t have to say a word. But it took her about a year to get to that point.

Check out the links I posted above: lots of good doggy thinky games in there, that are fun for every one.

We started a new game last night: How high can you jump to get the stick? I make her sit-stay, and then hold the rubber stick just above her head. Let her tug with me a second, then put her back in sit-stay. Hold the stick a little higher. Give her the release command (GET IT!), she has to jump a little higher. I think she can clear five or six feet, but we’re still working on it. :smiley: It’s a great game because making her sit-stay when she wants to lunge for the stick engages her little doggy brain. She has to think to control herself. (Yawning is a sign thinking is going on. It’s also a sign of stress.) But then she gets lots of jumping in, so that works out the zoomies.

I also like the shell game. Make her sit-stay. Lay out three big clam shells. Put a bit of food or a treat under one of them (you could use plastic cups if you don’t have a ready supply of perfectly shaped seashells). Give release command. Let her figure out under which shell is the treat. My dog has a 0% error rate.

Another suggestion that might be useful, especially when your time is precious, is to get the dogs some puzzles. Yes, they make dog puzzles. You put a treat inside and the dog has to figure out how to get the toy open. Some examples.

16

My trainer was very clear that I didn’t get to count this for our daily exercise. Same as if I released the hounds into the yard and they ran like maniacs for an hour. The problem is that they aren’t focused and working their little brains as they would be on a walk/run, swim, bike, whatever.

Not that fetch is bad-- obviously, play with your dogs :), it’s just that those activities don’t help as much because it’s not working out what you want it to.

Also, my lab was also a leash puller (which is why she wasn’t getting as many walks). The trainer had this corrected in literally one session. Seriously, these people are witches or something. Get one.

17

God yes. My trainer had completely re-habbed my dog in about ten minutes. I was seriously :eek: How did you do that? She handed me the leash and I found out how she did it. It’s magical.

18

Boxers can be crazy energetic but it usually settles down around a year old to easily managed couple of times a day sessions.

I would recommend getting training for both of them over separating them. You got a second dog so they’d have company, crating them apart kind of defeats that purpose.

When my boxers were young I could put them in the back yard while I was getting ready for work and every time I passed the door I’d toss another ball. The two of them would race around like nuts for 10+ mins each time. Chasing the ball, chasing each other, stealing the ball etc. Couple that with a long disciplined walk each night (leash manners!) and doggie daycare 3 days a week because Mojo went when he was the only dog we had and I am a sap and that kept them pretty well behaved. We dropped the doggie daycare when they we moved, they were 2&3 at the time and they were both fine.

They get less exercise and more attention now, they think they’re lap dogs and they love to snuggle anytime we sit. This is definitely something to watch for and train them out of now if you’re not interested, an 80lb lapdog is occasionally inconvenient :slight_smile:

19

Pretty much my thought when I first met one. When the Lab was fresh from the shelter we took him to the vet for round 2 vaccinations and deworming. At that time he was a 17 pound flea and very mouthy. Wife & I had done some reading on dogs and had a few “aha!” moments and so some basic dog psychology before we even took him home, but still he was all over the place and making as many holes (playfully) as he could in any hand that got near him.

The Trainer–who’d never seen the dog before–simply stepped into the room, smiled at us and looked at the dog. Dog stopped leaping around, licking and biting everything and immediately sat down, ears forward, mouth shut–like he’d been rehearsing the act with this guy for years. Ain’t no way I’m paying this guy a single dime. He’s no trainer, he’s just a mind-melder and that don’t do me no good. :slight_smile: But actually, we do know a guy (sort of a brother in law I think, weird story) who is trainer-quality with dogs and he’s promised to give us some tips, teach us how to walk a dog, etc. this weekend.

20

For what it’s worth, I have a friend who has the World’s Best Dogs. Seriously, like, the smartest, most well-behaved creatures in the world— they’re service animals and the whole shebang. She’s AMAZING with dogs, is my point, and often does training for our friends.

My dog broke her. She told me, “I seriously. . . I’ve never met a dog I couldn’t get to calm down on a walk. I don’t know what to do here.” That’s when I called a professional. Plus, what’s $300 if it means happy, healthy, well behaved dogs?

My point is: if this friend works, excellent. . .but if he doesn’t, drop some money on the professional.