dogs

grub44 · 11-03-2009, 06:08 PM

what is the best way to tran your boxer

Gulf Coast Girl · 11-03-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grub44

what is the best way to tran your boxer

Define "tran".....

JOEKEN · 11-03-2009, 06:26 PM

I am guessing you meant trane or however it is spelled. Find an obedience class near you and sign up. If you can't find one call your vet or humane society. They usually know of one. You can't start too early. If it is a puppy remember to only work them about 15 minutes a day. They are just like small children and lose interest fast. Good luck!

mattmuttsmithx · 11-03-2009, 06:32 PM

Call the Dog Whisperer!

signmansez · 11-03-2009, 06:43 PM

Best way to get any dog to listen is with an electronic collar. Your dog will learn obedience in less than a week with the proper use of one.

They are not in-humane. It is the same technology as an invisible fence, only you have the control of the ''zapper''.

My dog was an absolute nut when we got her. She now walks with us off leash, comes when called, does not chase anything and is very docile around other dogs.

We still put the shock collar on her but no longer use the zapper. This took less than a week and maybe half a dozen ''zaps' to get her under control.

The ''zaps'' are like getting shocked with a nine volt battery, (tried it myself) the control does go higher but there was never a need.

You just need to break their attention and get them to key on you instead of the distraction. If they see a squirrel or cat, etc. they no longer hear you. The collar gets their attention quickly and breaks it away from the cat, etc.

Found my Tritronic unit on ebay for around $200.
It is waterproof and designed to train hunting dogs so it has a range of over a mile.
It is overkill for our needs but the price was right.

Gulf Coast Girl · 11-03-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOEKEN

I am guessing you meant trane or however it is spelled.

It's spelled train and I'm guessing that's what the OP is referring to as well.... even so... train to do what? Potty train? Train to sit? Train to fetch? Train to kill intruders? Train to not jump off the boat while underway? Train to stay off the furniture? Train to not steal food?

In the "general" sense of training a dog it just takes 3 things:

1. Time
2. Patience
3. Consistency Can't stress this one enough!

Beyond that the key is establishing yourself as the Alpha Dog. Dogs will run right over you and do as they please if they don't understand that YOU are the boss... not them. While it's best to establish this when they are a puppy...even an older dog can learn this.

When the dog acts up and is defiant you pin them to the ground on their back and hold them there. You don't hurt them... but you DO NOT let them up until they stop squirming.... this is how they submit to your authority. While holding them down you repeat the phrase "who's the alpha dog" or "I'm the alpha dog" or whatever short phrase you want them to associate with being held down and submitting to your authority.

I've had dogs all my life and I've NEVER paid for training... I've always done it myself. Jack (my current dog) came to live with me when he was 2 1/2 years old. He was EXTREMELY defiant as he had never been properly trained.... and hence... had gone through 3 homes before coming here. He is 109 lbs. and it took me a while... and a lot of patience and pinning him down before he finally got the message that he ISN'T the boss... but he got it.

Now when he's getting out of hand all I have to do is look at him and say "who's the alpha dog?" and he will stop what he's doing, lay down and roll on his back, put his paws up and that's his way of saying "I get it.... I'm submitting".

Jack now knows and follows the following verbal commands:

Sit
Stay
Lay down
Off
Come here (he still struggles with this one when he's off playing with other dogs)
Back up
OK (I use this instead of "yes")
No
Fetch the paper (handy on rainy mornings when I'm in my jammies and don't want to run out to get the paper off the lawn)
Give me 5 (this is essentially shake hands... but I have taught him to just put his paw on my open hand... I don't like enclosing my fingers around his paw as I imagine a dog doesn't really enjoy having their paw enclosed. It's uncomfortable if their toes get squished together in a closed hand shake. Likewise... anyone who wants to shake hands with him is told to say "give me 5" and leave their palm open.)
Other paw When he presents a paw to me and I want the other one
Go potty Yes.. he will go on command. Handy to have when it's raining out and I don't want him out there playing around... it means do your business NOW!
Who's the alpha dog?
Gimme the sugar This is his command to come up and snuggle his head against my leg (if I'm standing) or my shoulder (if I'm sitting). No it's not dirty.... it just means I want to snuggle with him and give him some pets and scratches under his chin.
Ondelay (this is what I say when I want him to go upstairs or downstairs depending on where he is. He knows Ondelay means use the stairs and go to whatever floor he's not currently on.)
Get on the boat He knows this means stop swimming around and head for the swim step (where his load-a-pup ramp is) and get on board the boat.
Where's the biscuit? He knows this means I've hidden a dog biscuit somewhere in the house and he should look for it.

Additionally there are rules with no commands that he KNOWS....an example, when I open the back door of the SUV to let him out he knows he must SIT and wait for me to give the OK.... he's not allowed to bolt out of the vehicle.

Dogs are amazing and Jack is by far the best dog I've ever had... despite his short-comings when he firsts came to live here. He's now spoiled rotten... but that's ok because he KNOWS who is boss in the house and he follows the rules.

I'm a big believer that there are NO bad dogs... only bad owners

240 LTS · 11-03-2009, 07:50 PM

Now this old guy knew how to train a boxer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsgNi...eature=related

angeldog · 11-03-2009, 10:34 PM

Hi. I can't quite figure out how these forums work, but I am looking for advice about a lump on my dog.

I can't really afford to take her to the vet this month or next really. But, she has a lump on her ribs. It is about the size of a golf ball and I can move it around. It's not really squishy, just movable. What should I do?

Anyone a vet?

Also, she's about 10 yrs old. She is either a karelian bear dog or border collie mix. there is a lot of speculation in our family about what she is. She is in mostly good health despite easily gaining weight. I do keep her active as well ehlp

Ranger88 · 11-04-2009, 12:07 AM

If you can't afford a vet, I would do what you've been doing. Give her love, feed her, make her part of the family. At the dog park I see alot of older dogs with lumps, growths, etc. It could be alot of things. It may not be a big deal. I hope someone else has a better answer...

triguy7 · 11-04-2009, 02:19 AM

My Lab spent six months at the trainer. It was a three month course. After that failed experiment I did what signmansez says above. That was 10 years ago. I am a believer now.

Best money ever spent.

mattmuttsmithx · 11-04-2009, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angeldog

Hi. I can't quite figure out how these forums work, but I am looking for advice about a lump on my dog.

I can't really afford to take her to the vet this month or next really. But, she has a lump on her ribs. It is about the size of a golf ball and I can move it around. It's not really squishy, just movable. What should I do?

Anyone a vet?

Also, she's about 10 yrs old. She is either a karelian bear dog or border collie mix. there is a lot of speculation in our family about what she is. She is in mostly good health despite easily gaining weight. I do keep her active as well ehlp

Depending on what state you are in there are multiple free organizations that will give your dog free health care. Call your state school that does veterinarian training and classes. They will know where and who to go to. There is also a good chance that they will be able to take care of her.

Also. Most of your vets now work out payment plans that are very affordable. They also have credit lines they can extend to you. Another good tip with dealing with them is haggle with them in a respectful manner. Tell them up front you don't have a lot of money right now but you really want to help your friend. Most of these vets are family ran so they will deal with you better. They are not held to the same strict laws that human doctors abide by. You know the rule I'm talking about don't you? If you don't here it is. The doctors takes your wallet after you die. They teach this the first year of med school...

If all the above fails go to your family and ask for help.

Do not let this issue go though. You would fill horrible if it took the dogs life and it could have been taken care of.

Take care of that dog and that dog will love you forever!

Afishinado · 11-04-2009, 04:42 AM

Gulf Coast Girl... Well written, and your methods have been the textbook way for Golden Retrievers, but of course they are way smarter than boxers

I have also seen the collar work really well....

CindyLou · 11-04-2009, 06:14 AM

My wife and I just adopted a boxer/pointer mix (looks to have some hound in her as well), and we will be starting with an e-collar/remote collar trainer this weekend. The collar and one-on-one training cost more upfront, but from what others have told me it's worth the investment. Good luck with whatever you decide.

wildgeechi · 11-04-2009, 06:15 AM

Research marker training. It is proven to be the most effective method of training that exists. E-collars have their place but the vast majority of people that have them over use them or use them improperly. I use a combo of marker training (positive) and corrections with a prong collar (highly effective). I've considered an Ecollar only for when the dog is executing commands far away from me off leash where I cannot correct by any other means. I would highly suggest *against* you getting an ecollar and just using it to suppress bad behaviour.. thats not what it is for. It is for correcting the dog when he knows what you expect of him and chooses to do something else.

Idiot · 11-04-2009, 06:41 AM

you want to give your boxer a boob job? that is pretty gross. take some pics though

pugnacious3333 · 11-04-2009, 06:47 AM

I like the shock collar idea, but I just wouldn't feel right about putting that on our fat little pug. For now, I think i'll just stick with cursing and stomping my feet when she ignores my commands and walks away in the other direction.

wildgeechi · 11-04-2009, 06:52 AM

My dog knows:
Close - a "lose" heel on the left side
Fuss - a competition heel.. left side, chin tucked tight against my hip, looking at me until released from the command
Sitz - sit
Bleib - stay
Platz - laydown
Hier - come and sit directly in front of me, with your chin on my belt buckle and look me in the eyes until released from the command
Come - just come over to where I am
Bring - bring me what you have in your mouth
Touch - touch my hand with your nose, or whatever i'm pointing at
Such - search for whatever scent I just presented you, and when you find it, lay infront of it with the article between your paws, or if i'm pointing on the ground, track the footsteps until you find someone or I call it off
Achtung - attention... someone is approaching and i want him to pay attention to them
Packen - bite
Aus - release
Stick - find me a stick so we can play fetch with it
Ball - find me a ball so we can play fetch with it
Squirrel - find me a squirrel so we can play fetch with it
Snake - I've spotted a snake, look like an idiot while you investigate exactly what the hell this moving stick is
Give me kisses - give me kisses

CindyLou · 11-04-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildgeechi

Research marker training. It is proven to be the most effective method of training that exists. E-collars have their place but the vast majority of people that have them over use them or use them improperly. I use a combo of marker training (positive) and corrections with a prong collar (highly effective). I've considered an Ecollar only for when the dog is executing commands far away from me off leash where I cannot correct by any other means. I would highly suggest *against* you getting an ecollar and just using it to suppress bad behaviour.. thats not what it is for. It is for correcting the dog when he knows what you expect of him and chooses to do something else.

I respect your opinion, but everyone has their own idea of what is the most effective method. While many may see an e-collar as in-humane, that is just not the case (certainly no more in-humane than a prong collar). I agree that one should not just buy an e-collar and try to figure it out. We will be working with a professional trainer, so we will learn how to use the collar appropriately.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pugnacious3333

I like the shock collar idea, but I just wouldn't feel right about putting that on our fat little pug. For now, I think i'll just stick with cursing and stomping my feet when she ignores my commands and walks away in the other direction.

Our trainer insists that all of her clients try the collar on themselves before using it on their dog. She is amazed at how many people do not want to feel it, but are willing to put it on their dogs. I want to feel it, and did...and it was not painful at all, but a quick pulse (similar to a static shock). They are to be used at the lowest level possible that still gets the dogs attention. It is meant to get their attention, not to discipline them.

wildgeechi · 11-04-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CindyLou

I respect your opinion, but everyone has their own idea of what is the most effective method. While many may see an e-collar as in-humane, that is just not the case (certainly no more in-humane than a prong collar). I agree that one should not just buy an e-collar and try to figure it out. We will be working with a professional trainer, so we will learn how to use the collar appropriately.

Our trainer insists that all of her clients try the collar on themselves before using it on their dog. She is amazed at how many people do not want to feel it, but are willing to put it on their dogs. I want to feel it, and did...and it was not painful at all, but a quick pulse (similar to a static shock). They are to be used at the lowest level possible that still gets the dogs attention. It is meant to get their attention, not to discipline them.

I don't consider them inhumane at all. What I am saying is an ecollar does not constitute a training program. It is one of many tools. Prong collars don't hurt the dog btw. Most people have no clue how to use them either. If they are hurting the dog you are doing it wrong. At the training facility I train at there is one dog that they keep a cattle prod handy for.

It is a proven fact that marker training is the most effective method of training. It's proven. Old school k9 handlers have/are converting in mass. Effective training uses positive reinforcement, with markers to establish the behavior, and positive and negative reinforement to hone and maintain the behavior. Punishing a dog for failing to do a behavior it hasn't yet learned is a HUGE mistake and unfair to the dog. It WILL result in unenthusiastic compliance and degrades your bond with the dog. I know far more about dog training than I do about boats

Gulf Coast Girl · 11-04-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pugnacious3333

I like the shock collar idea, but I just wouldn't feel right about putting that on our fat little pug. For now, I think i'll just stick with cursing and stomping my feet when she ignores my commands and walks away in the other direction.

.... your dog has you well trained