Help with boxer pulling

[Kazza53]

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Hi I have a Boxer who is coming up for 5, he is the love of our life's and it must be said nearly everyone he meets loves him.

I have got a week shoulder at the moment a combination of walking him and my job and it is getting difficult for me to take him out everyday.

Since he was a pup I have walked him on a gencon and it has been manageable, he is very strong and if we pass yappy or aggressive dogs he has started to jump and pull back at them. I must say in an aggressive manner as he was attacked just over a year ago by a rottie who pushed through a hedge at us, and this has put him on edge when we are out.

I have tried a few harnesses half choke and a dogmatic, to no avail.

I have gone back to basics treat training and walking back turning around when he's in full flow but I'm having no joy. I am the only one he will go out with he sits and waits by the gate no moving if my hubby tries to take him out and he is to strong for my daughters to take do any ideas will be greatly appreciated x

 

[gypsysmum2]

Sorry to hear that your dog was attacked and is now suffering the consequences. He has become anxious and this means he gets defensive. You are doing all the right things with him by using a headcollar and treats to try to distract him I think you really need the help of a professional to talk you through how to persuade him to relax around other dogs and how to get him to go out with other people and not just you.

Was he well socialised as a puppy? If he was then you should be able to re train him to accept other dogs in his personal space. If not it might be an uphill battle as he does not have that essential tool (socialisation) to fall back on.

A professional will teach you how to handle his anxiety around other dogs by building his confidence. This usually involves the use of space to lessen the impact of the other dog. Rewards to persuade him that other dogs approaching heralds wonderful things happening. Timing is everything with training and if your dog's anxiety has peaked it is really difficult to find a window to work with. They will also help you to stay relaxed and calm which will transmit down the lead to your dog.

A trainer from the APDT may be able to help. Otherwise a full consultation with a COAPE or APBC behaviourist would delve into all his problems and give a detailed plan to work on. They will require that he has a vet check first, though if he has seen a vet recently he may be referred without the need for a check up.

 

[Kazza53]

Hi thanks for your advice. He has not long had his yearly check in December and his booster.

I will look up a trainer their is one not far we used to go to puppy classes with.

He has always been out and about with us, but sometime if there is someone he is not sure of he gets quite diffensive.

He is excellent with children and other well behaved dogs, but he has always suffered from separation anxiety he hates been a lone and can be very distructive ( emptying the bin in the middle of my bed chewing things. But we love him so much we just put up with it.

We are getting another pup next month as we lost our old boy a few weeks ago. So hopefully this will give him a new focus and someone to play with and they can both go to classes together.

 

[lurcherman]

Going back to basics is always a good start, resocialise him again with other dogs may help.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Good advice from Lurcherman.

Separation Distress really needs a behaviourist rather than a trainer. It is an emotional response to being left by the people special to the dog. The same behaviourist will give advice on all behaviour and training issues.

Do think very carefully about another dog. It will add to your workload considerably and at a time when your existing dog needs a lot of work. If you can fit it all in then fine but just give it some thought. Most trainers do not like both family dogs to attend the same class as it is very distracting for each dog at first.

 

[Kazza53]

Thank you so much for your advice. I have found a behaviourist not to far I will ring her tomorrow,

I will be taking the puppy to socialisation classes on her own and then a training class for Theo then hopfully we can find a club that we can all go to.

i know I have a lot of work ahead of me and I did think twice about a pup but I have already paid for her.

My main focus this next month is to get him to walk well on the lead and retrain his behaviour with other dogs. He is brilliant with well behaved dogs it's just defensive dogs he will go back at.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Give those dogs a wide berth. Distance lessens the size of the stimulus. So if your dog is a good distance away the other dog will seem smaller and less intimidating. Distract him with treats and reward any good behaviour, such as him looking away from the other dog, with lots of fuss and lovely treats. Timing is everything. Make sure he is looking away from the other dog when you reward him.

Try taking him to places where he can watch other dogs from a comfortable distance. Play with him so that he is happy in the presence of other dog.

Lead tightening is one of the worst things that we do when we see another dog. It sends messages to our dog that we, too, are worried about that other dog. It seems socially unacceptable to do nothing though. Try turning and walking the other way. Call your dog to come away from another dog rather than tightening the lead.

Try using a head collar like a Dogmatic. They have a wonderful calming effect on some dogs.

 

[Kazza53]

Hi thank you anything is worth a try. I have used a dogmatic but it seems to stress him out when putting it on him.

We have been out walking but we take all routes to avoid other dogs, but tomorrow I will take him at a more sociable hour and try with the treats. Thank you

 

[gypsysmum2]

A headcollar will stress him at first. If you think back to when he had his first puppy collar on it would have stressed him then. Do persevere and try to persuade him to wear it for a few seconds then a few more seconds while you feed him lovely treats. You will bless the day you persevered when you win back control of him.