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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Elaine has been training dogs professionally for 14 years. She is a CPDT as well as an endorsed member of NADOI. She is also certified in narcotics detection and is one half of a (twice) certified explosives detection team - the other half being her Dutch Shepherd Spawn, who is also titled in several protection sports. Elaine is the owner of Canine's Best Behavior, a Los Angeles based training company, offering Basic Manners, CGC, K9 Games (soon!) as well as behavior modification for aggression fears phobias etc.
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[Edit]
12/29/2006
I recently picked up a 9 month old Boxer from a rescue. I have now had the dog for 12 days. The dog had been in 3 homes already and supposedly let go because of barking. The dog is caged during the day while I am at work and at bedtime as well. He is a very nice dog who walks well on the leash, sits on command, just adorable. This will continue until I know for sure that he will not destroy the house while I am not there. Must say that I also have a 7 years boxer who has the run of the house and sleeps on my bed. On 2 different occasions, while on a walk, the dog grabbed the end of the leash in his mouth and when my wife tried to open it to get the leash, he attacked her, biting her (quite severely) on both arms. I am not that sure that this dog was let go because of barking. I am not that sure that this dog was not mistreated in his precious homes. I am not sure what to think of all this. I am not sure of what we have done wrong if we have Any comments? (berubes, Quebec)
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Boxer picking fights with owner:
That is an awful lot of crate time for a young dog. You may want to consider giving him more space, but still controlled, at night and using the crate when you are not home in the daytime.
In email, it is hard to say why he grabbed your wife: redirected aggression, dominance aggression, frustration... all could be. I suggest that you have someone who knows both the breed and aggression come and evaluate in person.
What stimulated him to grab the leash? The site of another dog? Nervousness
about the leash? Was he an agility prospect who got to tug on the leash after a clean run?
In between the time that you have someone evaluate him and now he still has to be walked, more exercise will help counter all that crate time. If at all possible define what triggers him into grabbing the leash and work on him replacing it with a tug toy. Or use treats as a way to "get him past" the whatever.
If he grabs it, the leash has to "die" in order for you to get it out of his mouth without confrontation. Hard on a walk, I agree!. Sometimes having him drag another leash works well. If he grabs the leash, calmly drop it and pick up the other. Or have him drag a long line that you put your foot on when he goes for the leash. In other words, do not "fight back" or try and pry his mouth open. You know what happens when he does that!
What you have is an adolescent guarding breed dog of dubious at best history. 3 previous homes does not bode well for the poor guy. He has only been in your home for a week and a half and has given you valuable information "when push comes to shove-I use my mouth". Proceed slowly, acclimating him into your home, have him drag a leash in the house about a foot and a half long, it will help get him under control if new problems pop up along the way.
In the pup forum archives there is an article I wrote about selecting/adapting your new dog into your home It's called "Looking Between the Bars".
Also, there is a book that is specifically about leash problems "Feisty Fido".
Be careful, do not over estimate his skill because he is older, you do not know anything about him. In home help is what's most appropriate here.
I hope some of this helps in the mean time.
Elaine Allison CPDT NADOI
Canine Behavior Consultant
Canine's Best Behavior
1.866.K9s.Best
www.caninesbestbehavior.com
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