How Do I Get My Boxer/greyhound Mix To Calm Down?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I’m having a lot of issues with my dog. I have put him in basic training classes that have helped quite a bit but he is still having problems with several things. Every time a guest comes over he literally freaks out and jumps like crazy on them for the longest time. When I say the longest time I mean the whole time the guest is over. We’ve tried everything to try to stop him. Its not just that but he gets so hyper when a guest comes his whole body shakes and trembles from being so excited. We also try to take him out to run and play as much as we can because of how much energy he has, and yet he still gets bored and wines later in the day. When he wines he’ll come up and make wining noises for up to 20 minutes biting and pulling our clothes, feet, and hands. When we give him his toys to try and give him something to play with he will chew the toy on top of me and step all over me. He just doesn’t ever give up. He also play bites and is aggressive sometimes when we try to take things he shouldn’t be chewing on away. When he hears neighbors outside the door, he gets really upset and starts barking like crazy. I’ve tried shake cans, spray bottles, everything in the book. Is there anything I can do to treat these problems? I’ve taken suggestions from his old trainer but he’s to tough to crack. Please let me know if you have any advice or suggestions.
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Have you tried simply ignoring him? And when it’s impossible to totally ignore him (i.e. when he’s jumping on you or putting his toy on you) getting up and/or turning away, still ignoring him.
By ignoring I mean no eye contact, touching or talking to him.
Ignoring is much kinder than startling them with a shake can/spray bottle, and they do learn very quickly from it. Doing X behaviour = being ignored = no fun = stop doing X behaviour.
I would put him on a lead when someone comes over, as it can’t be very nice for them! Is he food-orientated? Have you tried giving him a Kong stuffed with tasty treats to get his mind off the visitor?
I have seen several dogs in class who’s owners are trying desperately to control them. The reason it does not work is the owner has never asked the dog to use self-control.
His behavior is dominant, excited, and anxious. He needs to be both physically and mentally tired out every day. Playing does not tire a dog! It rarely involves any mental work, it’s just fun. He needs to have structured walks on the lead, training to sit, stay, lie, etc. Because of his breeds he will need lots of walking – up to 2 hours every day. Perhaps your family can take turns, like a relay.
Leash him when company comes and place him on a sit or down stay while you have guest in the house. Use the leash to deliver corrections as quick jerks to the side until he behaves. This is not a tug of war! Do not allow him to pull on the leash. Walk into him and body check him if you need to, but do not pull him back on the lead.
His dominant behavior comes from a lack of manners and rules, he thinks he is the boss. You must learn how to be the leader. Get a real goo trainer and explain the problem.
Watch The Dog Whisperer or It’s Me Or The Dog for some tips.