[WorriedMom]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and I came online just because I became scared of my puppies behavior.
I've had my puppy only for a week or so now. He's been pretty good. Plays, grows like normal, bites but not aggressively, etc.

Well, just now I think my puppy went nuts on me. Please tell me if this is normal behavior, if I did something to trigger it, or if it indicates something other than what I know.

I was playing with him normally, and he started going nuts. Chewing stuff he normally doesn't, biting me (not mouthing but it seemed like hostile biting), running around frantically, coming at me full force, chewing on my clothes socks everything. I had just taken him potty, fed him, he was fine. I took him for a walk this morning he was fine. I tried to carry him outside (which normally when I carr him he just sits there calmly til I let him down) this time he struggled to get out of my hands. I finally got him outside on leash and he was pulling tugging, flipping around, everythign you can imagine. He started howling and barking.

What happened????? Did I Do something? is he crazy? Or is he just being a puppy? His bites actaully started to hurt during this play and they never have before.

[Todd]

How old is he and what's his breed or mix?

sounds to me like he may not be getting enough exercise. Walks are sometimes not enough. Certain breeds are very, very high energy dogs and require a lot of off leash run time on a daily basis. Is he a Jack Russell? These dogs are very hyper as Laura's Mom will tell you...

This may be what your problem is. Try this and if things don't improve you'll know there's a more serious problem on your hands but this sounds like destructive behavior because of lack of sufficient exercise.

[WorriedMom]

He is a boxer. I took him for a walk in the morning. He napped for 3 hours on his own. I got home, opened his cage, took him out played for about 15 minutes, brought him in and played inside for about 30 minutes including teaching commands... he was great through all of this. I sat down to do some work and he was playing and all of a sudden went nuts!!

I guess I'll try exercising him more but I don't know if that's the problem. I wonder if he felt me getting agitated with him disrupting my work??? Sometimes I think i overestimate dogs and sometimes I think i underestimate them. I don't know. I'm supposed to start obedience training in may but I don't really want to wait that long anymore.

Also everytime i try to pet his head he tries to playfully bite my hand.. is this play or not?? Unless he is sleepy then he lets me pet him but even then ... but he will let me pet him other places or if hes playing with a toy i can pet his head.... it's weird...?

[Todd]

Originally Posted by WorriedMom

He is a boxer. I took him for a walk in the morning. He napped for 3 hours on his own. I got home, opened his cage, took him out played for about 15 minutes, brought him in and played inside for about 30 minutes including teaching commands... he was great through all of this. I sat down to do some work and he was playing and all of a sudden went nuts!!

I guess I'll try exercising him more but I don't know if that's the problem. I wonder if he felt me getting agitated with him disrupting my work??? Sometimes I think i overestimate dogs and sometimes I think i underestimate them. I don't know. I'm supposed to start obedience training in may but I don't really want to wait that long anymore.

Also everytime i try to pet his head he tries to playfully bite my hand.. is this play or not?? Unless he is sleepy then he lets me pet him but even then ... but he will let me pet him other places or if hes playing with a toy i can pet his head.... it's weird...?

I know some boxers who are VERY hyper. Yea. I'd try more exercise. Could you let him run outside off leash after a ball or with other dogs along with the walk? Often times walking is not enough for boxers. They need time to run free and that's how they really burn off their energy.

Is is like a seizure or something (like he has no control over what he's doing) or is it just a puppy running around and playing like he's crazy? Puppies can be really crazy at times?

How old is the boxer?

BTW, hello and welcome to the forum! Glad to have you!

[CorkyMax]

How old is he? Sounds like he needs more exercise. Not saying you aren't a strong handler--Will quote what it says from my breeds book: Intelligent and easily trained. Training should start young and be firm and consistent---these exuberant animals need to be handled by a strong adult. They are reliable and protective with children and intensely loyal to their family. Excellent watchdogs, they will restrain an intruder in the same way a Bulldog does. An active, athletic breed, Boxers need daily work or exercise. As well as a long, brisk, daily walk, they enjoy a session of play, fetching a ball. BE AWARE: These dogs need a strong energetic owner to play with. May be agressive with other dogs.

[dogsclothesplus]

Boxers are very active and love to run and play. As a puppy they definately need a little more.
Sometimes excitement overpowers the ability to control. So it may also be time to really get into training some more especially when it comes to the manners.

[WorriedMom]

He's only 10 weeks! I want to start his training with someone.... he definitely listens to me... he knows sit, lay down, and knows when i am telling him no. he sits for his food. but today something in his just went off, i have no idea. hes not having a seizure i think he was just really hyper.

I suppose I'll start looking for training / behavior instruction places around my area.... I'd rather start early and not have "problems" to deal with later than wait and see what happens!

Maybe he was just playing like a puppy and didn't realize he was being crazy? My huge guy firend came over yesterday and was playing rough wiht him (i feel men can play rougher with puppies / dogs than women) so maybe he was just acting like that again and it came off as too rough to me? I don't know.. just worried.

He's not really old enough to go around off leash at this age , I don't think.... how much exercise can a 10 week old boxer need?? I thought 1 hour of walking / running a day was it and then playtime.....

[Yogi]

Puppies, especially those that are high energy breeds (not hyper) need a great deal of exercise even at 10 weeks. They will go sometimes for hours at full speed then next thing you will see, they are sound asleep. This pup needs time off leash especially at its age. It needs to run at its own pace until it is tired.
A walk a day with a little running is not sufficient as bore out by its behavior and is telling you so. Good luck.

[WorriedMom]

Thanks! I welcome any constructive criticism since I am very new at this!!

I am going to take him somewhere where he can run around off leash like a crazy puppy would if he could! I am under the understanding that dog parks are off limits since he does not have all of his shots yet... correct?

Thanks for welcoming me to the forum!

If you have any ideas to get his juices flowing please let me know. He doesn't really enjoy walks yet, still working on them. He loves romping around inside. He loves learning commands (until he gets bored then we switch to something else). Any ideas please share! There are not many places around here he can go off leash without being around other dogs.

[Ozzy29]

Yes, most parks are off limits and it would not be a good idea to visit one until he has all his shots. Try some indoor games?

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by WorriedMom

He is a boxer. I took him for a walk in the morning. He napped for 3 hours on his own. I got home, opened his cage, took him out played for about 15 minutes, brought him in and played inside for about 30 minutes including teaching commands... he was great through all of this. I sat down to do some work and he was playing and all of a sudden went nuts!!

I guess I'll try exercising him more but I don't know if that's the problem. I wonder if he felt me getting agitated with him disrupting my work??? Sometimes I think i overestimate dogs and sometimes I think i underestimate them. I don't know. I'm supposed to start obedience training in may but I don't really want to wait that long anymore.

Also everytime i try to pet his head he tries to playfully bite my hand.. is this play or not?? Unless he is sleepy then he lets me pet him but even then ... but he will let me pet him other places or if hes playing with a toy i can pet his head.... it's weird...?

Some confusion here, you said as "PRIYERZ" that your dog was a Shep/Boxer mix. Now you are saying as "WorriedMom" that it is a Boxer. Is it a mix or is it a Boxer?

[WorriedMom]

Sorry. It's my girlfriend's dog... I accidentally posted in her username on my computer because she must have logged mine out and hers in.

He is a boxer shepherd mix but I say boxer just bcause he acts like one and his face looks like one... only his coat is shepherd!

[bpwriter47]

I agree with probably needing more exercise. But puppies and dogs (I have terrier mixes) will "go crazy" sometimes especially while growing. My dogs seem to do this after a bowel movement. If they have to come back in because it's freezing outside, they will run like mad around the house and if I try to get in on the fun (yes, it's just fun energy) then they may bite me harder than usual.

It usually burns off within a few minutes. Boxers are high energy. Perhaps just standing back to watch what he is really doing as a puppy you might find he's just playing. They are rough dogs and need a good trainer. But sometimes what we perceive as "crazy" is just playing. I think making sure whether it's playing or getting out of control is important.

Of course you shouldn't let them bite you hard or chew on items they are not allowed. They can be trained to know what to chew and what not to chew.

My puppies went through a stage where they were getting pretty rough and you just have to stay firm with them.

Make sure they do get lots of exercise and attention when they are calm. I wish you well with your boxer, they are beautiful dogs.

[WorriedMom]

Originally Posted by bpwriter47

I agree with probably needing more exercise. But puppies and dogs (I have terrier mixes) will "go crazy" sometimes especially while growing. My dogs seem to do this after a bowel movement. If they have to come back in because it's freezing outside, they will run like mad around the house and if I try to get in on the fun (yes, it's just fun energy) then they may bite me harder than usual.

It usually burns off within a few minutes. Boxers are high energy. Perhaps just standing back to watch what he is really doing as a puppy you might find he's just playing. They are rough dogs and need a good trainer. But sometimes what we perceive as "crazy" is just playing. I think making sure whether it's playing or getting out of control is important.

Of course you shouldn't let them bite you hard or chew on items they are not allowed. They can be trained to know what to chew and what not to chew.

My puppies went through a stage where they were getting pretty rough and you just have to stay firm with them.

Make sure they do get lots of exercise and attention when they are calm. I wish you well with your boxer, they are beautiful dogs.

When you say "stay firm" what are you implying? I've tried multiple techniques... one the firm "no", the other yelping lik ea little puppy that gets injured an ignoring him, and pushing him away when it really hurts and my natural reaction takes over instead of trying a technique.

Any help is welcome!

[bpwriter47]

by "firm", I mean to be consistent. There are several websites on training Boxers that I can't put a link to yet because I haven't posted enough here.

Puppies go through stages like having babies; toddlers; teenagers. There will be a few trying times because they are growing and adapting. Personally, I would just purchase a book on Boxers that I could refer back to when things seem to not be working.

Sometimes I find going back to basic training during these growing stages helps to remind the puppy who's in charge and that they will be rewarded for their good behavior.

I can't give you one thing to try, because every situation is different.

But I would consider learning to do some agility training because most Boxers like that. You could probably find videos on web on that also.

Try going back to basics and being consistent and see if that helps correct the problem.

Make sure you rotate toys (dogs get used to them like children), so if you hide them for a week or so and rotate some, it will keep them interested. Their jaws are strong, so Kong toys are the best for them.

[WorriedMom]

Ok, I have been working with him tryign to tire him out, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I spent the past 5 days at my friends house (where he has an open yard where jackson would be able to run and expend as much energy as possible). I ran around with him to encourage him getting tired, I also took him for multiple walks during the day, many people were by to see him, one day we had a BBQ which was great).

This is reall not helping his mouthy problem. In fact, he thinks it is OK to mouth anything that tries to pet him. I believe this is all in an effort to play, but he actually pierced the skin on my calf causing it to bleed and did the same to another friends hand. He is not understanding the "yelp!" sound technique nor the I won't play wiht you anymore if you bite me technique. He just goes for your feet / ankles when you try to ignore him.

He seems to play for a lot longer, become really mellow when he gets tired, nap for a couple hours, and then goes absolutely nuts when he wakses up to the point where he is lunging at you just to play.

I wasn't as concerned before because he wasn't strong enough to actually hurt, but now he is drawing blood and it is concerning me very much.

What should I do???

[Todd]

Originally Posted by WorriedMom

Ok, I have been working with him tryign to tire him out, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I spent the past 5 days at my friends house (where he has an open yard where jackson would be able to run and expend as much energy as possible). I ran around with him to encourage him getting tired, I also took him for multiple walks during the day, many people were by to see him, one day we had a BBQ which was great).

This is reall not helping his mouthy problem. In fact, he thinks it is OK to mouth anything that tries to pet him. I believe this is all in an effort to play, but he actually pierced the skin on my calf causing it to bleed and did the same to another friends hand. He is not understanding the "yelp!" sound technique nor the I won't play wiht you anymore if you bite me technique. He just goes for your feet / ankles when you try to ignore him.

He seems to play for a lot longer, become really mellow when he gets tired, nap for a couple hours, and then goes absolutely nuts when he wakses up to the point where he is lunging at you just to play.

I wasn't as concerned before because he wasn't strong enough to actually hurt, but now he is drawing blood and it is concerning me very much.

What should I do???

could you try to run him whenever he wakes up from his nap and starts his crazy behavior? it doesn't have to be that long of a run each time. at least just enough to take the edge off him.

Mouthing for puppies is very, very common. Lucky used to do it all the time and much like your dog, puppie's teeth are very sharp and even playful mouthing can be painful and draw some blood. Are you sure it's just playful mouthing like if the dog's excited? Sounds like it to me. Dog's generally grow out of this. Mine did, however she still does it on rare occasion when I return from being out on a trip or something. If you don't want her doing this though, in the meantime you should obviously train her not to do it. Again, make sure she has plenty of chew toys. Another thing u could try is giving her a raw meaty bone to chew on when she starts to act "crazy". When she mouthes maybe try giving her a firm correction to "leave it" since the squeeling technique isn't wroking all that well. Then remove your hand from her mouth and maybe firmly, but not to the point where it causes her any pain, hold her mouth closed and say "leave it". Then praise her when after she stops and give her a chew toy of her own. This may help. Seems like she's the dog where more firm training is neccessary, but remember firm and rough/violent are two COMPLETELY different things. Firm is sending a messege of disproval without causing any pain whatsoever.

Good luck!

[WorriedMom]

Tiring him out has worked wonders for most of the day...

I take him during lunchtime to the park to run around with another dog... he gets so tired within 30 minutes. Problem is.. he sleeps for the rest of the day.. and gets really hyper at night and doesn't want to go to bed.

Another problem is that he is left in his crate for about 3 hours in the morning.... and he is really difficult to let out in the morning and get back in his crate.

I'm guessing I"ll ahve to work at making a schedule that works. Is it bad for him to just sleep all day after going to the park??? He is very calm but then just sleeps!!!

I don't live in an area where I'd want to take him out to walk too late at night or even after it got dark.......so my options are somewhat limited.

Any input is welcome!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by WorriedMom

Tiring him out has worked wonders for most of the day...

I take him during lunchtime to the park to run around with another dog... he gets so tired within 30 minutes. Problem is.. he sleeps for the rest of the day.. and gets really hyper at night and doesn't want to go to bed.

Another problem is that he is left in his crate for about 3 hours in the morning.... and he is really difficult to let out in the morning and get back in his crate.

I'm guessing I"ll ahve to work at making a schedule that works. Is it bad for him to just sleep all day after going to the park??? He is very calm but then just sleeps!!!

I don't live in an area where I'd want to take him out to walk too late at night or even after it got dark.......so my options are somewhat limited.

Any input is welcome!

Sounds like tiring him out is working so far! Great job!

It's fine if he sleeps all day after running at the park. It's very, very common and normal especially in pups.

In the morning after he does his buisness maybe try to tire him out a little then b4 u put him back into the crate. If you can't maybe get a raw meaty bone to put in his crate for the morning. This will keep him busy and easily get him to go back into his crate. Once again, glad to hear things are improving!

[WorriedMom]

Today I took him to the park twice.. once at lunch and once when he got really hyper and mouthy at home... the 2nd time he came home almost more agitated and tried biting me when I wanted to take him home.

He has also started barking and growling... I think he is playing b/c his tail is wagging but I'm not 100% sure.

The raw meaty bone is a good idea.. but I tried it and he's not that interested in it. I found that he REALLY likes peanut butter in the kong toy. How often can you give your puppy / dog peanut butter? Is once a day too much? I have given it to him twice and it keeps him occupied for 1-2 hours if not more if I freeze it in there. Any other ideas of what to put in the Kong toy if the peanut butter is not a good idea on a daily basis....

Thanks guys I really appreciate all the input.... He's still very mouthy and difficult to control when he's THAT hyper.... I'm hoping it doesn't last much longer. He's very pleasant when he's not hyper but he's usually just sleeping. I'd really like to have some "fun" time with him when he's actually awake!!! Haha.