We adopted an older female boxer almost a year ago. She is the only
dog in the house and the 3rd boxer we have had. We enjoy her very
much and the kids love her. We just have a few issues I hope that
someone can help us with:

1) she does not like to stay outside (we have a huge yard) but she
will just go out and do her business then come back to the door and
bark constantly until someone lets her in. A few times she has jumped
on the screen of an adjacent window and torn the screen if we don't
come soon enough.

2) sometimes she barks to be fed

3) sometimes she barks to go out

I think she is trying to be dominant . I don't mind the bark to go
out as she is communicating that she needs to go but bark to come back
in is irritating not to mention the damage to the house (she is 80
lbs.).

A little more background:

a) She has pancreatitis and cannot tolerate fats. We were able to
manage the illness with prescription dog food but we cannot use treats
as positive re reinforcements. She experiences upset stomach from
time to time for various reasons.

b) She has significant hearing loss

c) We have been able to change some of her behaviors like getting on
the furniture, begging at the refrigerator and flipping her bowl over
when she want to eat. She is crate trained and house trained. She
will also sit upon request.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Lisa

wrote in message
...
snipped
a) She has pancreatitis and cannot tolerate fats. We were able to
manage the illness with prescription dog food but we cannot use treats
as positive re reinforcements. She experiences upset stomach from
time to time for various reasons.


One of my dogs had pancreatitis too. And we too managed her illness with
prescription dog food. For treats, we sometimes used boiled boneless,
skinless chicken breast. Little bits of it that I'd keep ready in the
fridge. I also tried a product called "Sister Joans Nutra Bits."

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=7745

When I found her, years ago, she was still baking them out of her kitchen.
I actually called her, found a phone number, and chatted with Sister Joan.
Explained my dogs *issues* and asked her advice. My dog was completely able
to tolerate her dog biscuits. So they were the only *treat* we ever fed her
after her illness. Murphy occasionally still got stomach upsets, but we
kept a prescription on hand for those occasions. Sorry, I can't recall the
name of what she was on right now. We had been getting the script filled at
our regualr vet practice. But once I changed over to our housecall vet, he
prescribed it in generic form, less than a quarter the cost of the name
brand.

As to your other issues, Murphy always barked to come in. I actually liked
that about her. She'd come to the door and bark once, letting me know she
was *ready*. If I didn't show up within a *reasonable* amount of time,
she'd give me another louder, sharper bark, to let me know 'she was not
amused' that I hadn't *come* yet. ;-) Her 'hearing loss' could also be a
factor. I noticed when my Murphy gradually lost her hearing, her barks
became *louder* and *harsher*. Because *she* couldn't hear them herself, I
don't think she understood what had happened or how loud or sharp she was
barking.

I think some dogs like being outside more than others. The two I have now,
one likes to be outside, the other prefers being inside.

best,

td

Dogs are pack animals they WANT to be with their pack - that is you. Most
of my dogs have never liked to be left in the yard alone. In fact the
quickest way to get mine inside if they don't come on first call is to
simply walk in the house and shut the door I can guarantee as soon as they
realize I've left they are on the porch.

I don't think it's trying to be dominant she's just communicating with you.
I'd rather have a dog tell me when they want out than it have an accident.

Celeste


wrote in message
...
We adopted an older female boxer almost a year ago. She is the only
dog in the house and the 3rd boxer we have had. We enjoy her very
much and the kids love her. We just have a few issues I hope that
someone can help us with:

1) she does not like to stay outside (we have a huge yard) but she
will just go out and do her business then come back to the door and
bark constantly until someone lets her in. A few times she has jumped
on the screen of an adjacent window and torn the screen if we don't
come soon enough.

2) sometimes she barks to be fed

3) sometimes she barks to go out

I think she is trying to be dominant . I don't mind the bark to go
out as she is communicating that she needs to go but bark to come back
in is irritating not to mention the damage to the house (she is 80
lbs.).

A little more background:

a) She has pancreatitis and cannot tolerate fats. We were able to
manage the illness with prescription dog food but we cannot use treats
as positive re reinforcements. She experiences upset stomach from
time to time for various reasons.

b) She has significant hearing loss

c) We have been able to change some of her behaviors like getting on
the furniture, begging at the refrigerator and flipping her bowl over
when she want to eat. She is crate trained and house trained. She
will also sit upon request.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Lisa

" wrote in

:

1) she does not like to stay outside (we have a huge yard) but she
will just go out and do her business then come back to the door
and bark constantly until someone lets her in. A few times she
has jumped on the screen of an adjacent window and torn the screen
if we don't come soon enough.

She doesn't want to be outside alone. It's boring, most likely, and
she'd rather be with you. If you want her to spend time outside--and
you should, because it's good for her--then you'll have to go out
with her. It's good for you, too, so this is a win-win solution.

2) sometimes she barks to be fed

Does she do it at feeding time? My Boxer is not shy about reminding
me that mealtime is approaching. If it's too early to eat, I give
her something else to do (this is an excellent time to grab a handful
of kibble and teach her a trick, because you will have her undivided
attention and then some).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cat-sidh/2138438427/

If she barks at feeding time, again, give her something to do to earn
her food. You can send her to her bed or crate, and make her wait
there until you release her to eat. That way, she is able to
communicate her needs to you, but she doesn't get to be a brat about
it.

3) sometimes she barks to go out

This is a good thing! Would you rather she didn't tell you when she
has to go outside? We get a lot of folks posting here, complaining
that their dogs don't signal when they want out. Count yourself
among the lucky, because your dog knows how to communicate her needs
to you in an unambigous way.

I think she is trying to be dominant .

Unlikely. Boxers can be bossy, for sure, but it doesn't sound like
your dog is trying to dominate you. Other than the things you've
listed, how does your dog behave?

a) She has pancreatitis and cannot tolerate fats. We were able
to manage the illness with prescription dog food but we cannot use
treats as positive re reinforcements. She experiences upset
stomach from time to time for various reasons.

Kibble is a good treat, especially as your dog sounds like she enjoys
her food!

b) She has significant hearing loss

Hand signals. If you haven't been using them, start combining them
with verbal commands. My Boxer has very good hearing, but she's more
attuned to body language, and will respond to even the most subtle
visual cues (I taught her to lift her ears when I lift my eyebrows,
for example).

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

In article
,
" wrote:


1) she does not like to stay outside (we have a huge yard) but she
will just go out and do her business then come back to the door and
bark constantly until someone lets her in. A few times she has jumped
on the screen of an adjacent window and torn the screen if we don't
come soon enough.

Try going with her. Dogs are social beings - she wants you there too.

2) sometimes she barks to be fed

What is your response?

3) sometimes she barks to go out

What is your response and does she eliminate once out?

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

wrote in message
...
We adopted an older female boxer almost a year ago. She is the only
dog in the house and the 3rd boxer we have had. We enjoy her very
much and the kids love her. We just have a few issues I hope that
someone can help us with:

1) she does not like to stay outside (we have a huge yard) but she
will just go out and do her business then come back to the door and
bark constantly until someone lets her in. A few times she has jumped
on the screen of an adjacent window and torn the screen if we don't
come soon enough.

2) sometimes she barks to be fed

3) sometimes she barks to go out

I think she is trying to be dominant . I don't mind the bark to go
out as she is communicating that she needs to go but bark to come back
in is irritating not to mention the damage to the house (she is 80
lbs.).

A little more background:

a) She has pancreatitis and cannot tolerate fats. We were able to
manage the illness with prescription dog food but we cannot use treats
as positive re reinforcements. She experiences upset stomach from
time to time for various reasons.

b) She has significant hearing loss

c) We have been able to change some of her behaviors like getting on
the furniture, begging at the refrigerator and flipping her bowl over
when she want to eat. She is crate trained and house trained. She
will also sit upon request.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Lisa
=============
My dog never wants to go out in the yard other than after breakfast in the
morning as part of her ritual. She does her business and rushes back in.
If I don't open the door to let her back in right away, she lets out one big
bark.
If I go out in the yard with her, she will go, but other than that I have to
bribe her to go outside and we have a large fenced in yard.

On Dec 30 2007, 1:07 pm, Janet Boss
wrote:
In article
,

" wrote:

1) she does not like to stay outside (we have a huge yard) but she
will just go out and do her business then come back to the door and
bark constantly until someone lets her in. A few times she has jumped
on the screen of an adjacent window and torn the screen if we don't
come soon enough.

Try going with her. Dogs are social beings - she wants you there too.

She is OK for a little while outside but only if I am out there. She
doesn't want to stay out and play with the kids if I am inside.



2) sometimes she barks to be fed

What is your response?

Well if it is time to be fed I do feed her and if it is not I tell her
"no it is not time" and I usually pet her and give her a big hug,
sometimes I put her bowl up as she will flip it over several times to
get attention - she is very smart.

3) sometimes she barks to go out

What is your response and does she eliminate once out?

Yes. She is very house trained - no accidents at all. She does her
thing then runs back to the door. Sometimes she charges and jumps on
door, she has already torn the adjacent screen by jumping, not
scratching. I have been giving the sit command followed by a count to
10 before I do let her in but she is still running back to the door,
jumping (sometimes) on the door or window, and continuously barking.
It does work for her though because I do let her in fairly quickly to
reduce the damage to the door/window. I don't mind her barking once
or twice and waiting for me but it is the continuous barking and
damage to the house I would like to avoid.

Thank you all for your time and input with helping me with the old
girl,

Lisa

In article
,
" wrote:


She is OK for a little while outside but only if I am out there. She
doesn't want to stay out and play with the kids if I am inside.

How do they try to play with her? Do they ever just sit and pet her?

Well if it is time to be fed I do feed her and if it is not I tell her
"no it is not time" and I usually pet her and give her a big hug,
sometimes I put her bowl up as she will flip it over several times to
get attention - she is very smart.

I would tell her no every time and wait for 5, 10, 15 minutes, whatever.
I would also be making her do something for her food (a nice sit and
wait until released works well).

Yes. She is very house trained - no accidents at all. She does her
thing then runs back to the door. Sometimes she charges and jumps on
door, she has already torn the adjacent screen by jumping, not
scratching.

This is where you have to stand at the door and give a command BEFORE
she hits the door.

I have been giving the sit command followed by a count to
10 before I do let her in but she is still running back to the door,
jumping (sometimes) on the door or window, and continuously barking.

Forget the count of 10. Ask her to sit and the moment she does, let her
in.

It does work for her though because I do let her in fairly quickly to
reduce the damage to the door/window. I don't mind her barking once
or twice and waiting for me but it is the continuous barking and
damage to the house I would like to avoid.

You have to be present to direct her then.

Thank you all for your time and input with helping me with the old
girl,

Basically, she sounds like a smart dog and you are being either too much
of a sucker or you're not watching enough and using good timing.

Forget her wanting to be out. Start working on what she needs to do
before being let in, which means you have to be right there to enforce
it. Start a feeding routine. My dogs have great internal clocks, but
if they start milling too annoyingly before dinnertime, we delay.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

I also have a boxer hes mixed though"

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