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| Questions for No Bones?Please email Elayne with any and all pet related questions. Answers will appear in this new regular online column chock full of advice, sharing, caring and laughs. |
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| No Bones Fall Update 2002 |
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We just returned from a family visit in Wisconsin. One of our stops was at my nephew's farm in Lodi. They have acquired a Boxer pup to replace one they had lost due to old age last year. They have 2 Boxers at all times. My nephew's wife has the good sense to adore Boxers, and my nephew. They also adopted a baby girl last year. She is now 19 months old and trying to get the hang of "walking", which resembles a drunken stagger more than walking. When they let the pup outside she was a typical 7 month old Boxer...hell on four paws. Hyper doesn't come close. But she is gorgeous, so who cares? One of the first things she did was knock the mother-in-law, who isn't a dog person, on her butt in the driveway. I love this dog!! But then the baby was put down to stumble her way around, and she immediately headed for the dog. I held my breath waiting for the inevitable crash scene to unfold. Lo and behold, the pup turned out to be a classic Boxer, even at 7 months. When the baby finally reached her destination, the dog stopped jumping and sat down. The baby reached her, fell on her, proceeded to grab a handful of what I call her "moosh" (which camouflages a mouthful of teeth) and immediately gave in to the need to lay copious numbers of sloppy kisses all over the dogs head and face. The pup was clearly in heaven, loving every minute. What is it with these dogs? I've experienced this scenario with our own
Boxers, who have only encountered babies and children on a very few occasions.
They also exhibited this gentle behavior around my 96 year-old, and very
feeble, mother. They would love to race me going down the stairs. But,
when my mother would go to the staircase they would stand at the top of
the stairs until she got all the way down and then they'd follow. They
were constantly aware of keeping a distance from her, but still followed
her everywhere and sat at her feet The only regret I have regarding the new four-legged family member is that they went ahead with cropping her ears. I guess I didn't get my point of view across forcefully enough. Maybe I should have injected something about leaving them out of the will or something. Oh well, she is still beautiful. Sorry that I turned this into an epistle...it is a little long-winded. Thanks for taking the time to read it, I'm assuming that you did. Best wishes to you and yours. Hope this finds all of you in good health. And, thanks for this website. I enjoy it. Sharon N. Dear Sharon, What's your question?
Dear Elayne, I just loved your segment on The Ticket radio station in Dallas this morning. I've always enjoyed your work and I laughed out loud at the whole baseball scenario. It was right on target. I'm also from Queens. Let's Go Mets! (And catch the friggin' ball!!) Thank you for your dog devotion. Although Boxers have never stood out for me as a favorite, after listening to your spot I immediately went to the rescue site. Your column is funny, informative and heartfelt. Here's why I'm so thankful: when my Dad died in 1999, one of the charities we suggested in lieu of flowers was the Humane Society of North Texas, as my Dad was perhaps the biggest dog fan ever. No favorite breed, just a big supporter of The Good Puppy Dog. I'm somewhat ashamed to say that while we cherish our memories of Dad, I can't say that since his passing any of us has done much for the unfortunate dogs in the world, even though dogs are stars in our families and we love them. What I heard from you today and read on the website has reminded me not only of what dogs meant to my Dad but what they mean to me as well. I'm going to fulfill one of the silent promises I made my to Dad in sad times, in his memory. I'm going to be a financial contributor and also give my time and toil to those who love and care for dogs. Thank you for your passion, and for the much-needed kick in the shorts. Mike K., Bedford Texas Dear Mike, What's your question?
Dear Elayne, Darian T., Carlsbad CA Dear Darian, You don't say how old your dog is. Of course if she's a puppy she's going to be teething. When my boxer Petey was a puppy he ate picture frames, a bamboo desk and chair, pencils, stuffed animals, cassettes, and the true test of of love; my driver's license. Real punishment would have been making him go stand in line at the DMV. If your dog isn't a puppy, and just likes to chew, and you've had her gums checked out and she has no health problems, then she may just be bored. Never underestimate the persistent chewing of a dog with nothing to do. We've had boxers chew right through their kennels. It's always easier to change behavior by redirecting it to something positive. If she's chewing up the toys, they're not a match for her. (I think every dog owner has had a good laugh over the five minute life span of "indestructible" toys.) Try putting a little peanut butter in a butcher bone, and spreading out a towel so she can work on that. Or try a safe nylabone (avoid large amounts of rawhide). There is sour liquid available at pet stores to dissuade her from eating your piano. Increase her exercise and play if you can, she'll be more tired and less bored. If all else fails, use her as a paper shredder.
Dear Elayne, Paper or plastic? Max A., IL Dear Max, Fur!!!!!!!!!! (Live only)
Dear Elayne, My neighbor was keeping her ex husbands dog but told us she didn't want the dog anymore. She couldn't give him the attention he needed. So, we offered to take him. He is now in our back yard playing like a little baby. We cannot keep him because I already have a dog and 2 cats. His name is Paige, about 2 years old, he is VERY gentle and loves to play. As yet, not neutered. His has the stubby boxer tail, but his ears have not been set. He loved his bath today. He has a new application of flea medicine too. I hope you can help us find a loving home for Paige. He is so playful and loves the grass. Feel free to call us at home. We hope you can help ! Thank you, Karyl and Jeff P., Long Beach CA Dear Karyl and Jeff, Thanks so much for rescuing your neighbor's boxer. Boxer Rescue L.A. gets an amazing amount of calls from people giving up loving, sweet, loyal pets for reasons which are unfathomable to those of us who would take a bullet for our pets. So it's wonderful when people like you step in to help. For the benefit of our readers I will say that I did write you back directly, and you were kind enough to deliver Paige to our vet for neutering, after which we took him to our kennel where he awaits adoption into a new home. The line we hear most often is, "He/She is a great, wonderful loving dog and we really want you to find him/her a good home". Well, the best home is the home he/she already has. What people need to realize is that no matter how good your dog is, there just aren't enough homes. And when you drop your wonderful pet at the pound because you "just don't have enough spare time" anymore, and "he/she deserves a family with lots of time to give", your dog most likely is not going to get that family, but statistically is going to be killed instead. Your dog wants to be with you, and can adapt to and appreciate whatever time you have to give. Even a tighter schedule of walks only on weekends is better than being put down at the pound, or living in a rescue cage for up to a year, or more. Pets are not disposable, and what your neighbor sadly missed is that she might have had a grateful companion for life, if she let the dog in after her husband let himself out. Thanks for helping.
Dear Elayne, Why do dogs drink out of the toilet? Unemployed, TX Dear U, Because they aren't allowed in sports bars.
Dear Elayne, Hi. I got a 9 week old puppy 3 and a half weeks ago so he's 12 weeks old now. Are they protective breeds? I used to have a mastiff and a GSD and they were naturally protective and if anyone did harm to me they would go after them. Are boxers the same way? Do you know any ways I can make them wary of strangers? Thank you. Dear Anonymous, What a troubling question. I hope you got your puppy for companionship and friendship and a shared trip through life. Most dogs, once they bond with their owners, have a normal amount of protectiveness, and watchfulness. A well socialized dog would not and should not be made to become hyper "wary" of strangers. That just gives you a troublesome, scared and unhappy dog. If you exercise your dog in public you don't want your dog "going after" as you say, a person who is merely walking by, or stopping to ask you for directions, or the time. That would be terrible, bringing harm to an innocent person, and legal troubles to you and your dog, perhaps even confiscation of your pet. The best way to have a dog who is in tune with your safety is to be so kind to and gentle with your dog, that his love for you hones his instincts to a fine point. He then will pick up on any dangerous situation, and be protective. And of course most dogs sound a loud and clear warning when they hear noises in your home. Boxers are very social and happy dogs, very family oriented. Very affectionate. It would be a crime against nature to try and make a puppy, any puppy, mean. You don't say what happened to your other two dogs, but I hope you will be kind to this one. Living things should not be used for protection, that's why we have no gun buying restrictions in America. Love your dog, protect yourself.
Dear Elayne, Whatever happened to the boxer Shnuffy in the newsletter? I was just curious. Dear Curious, If you read the newsletter then you saw that I kept him. I didn't want to keep any of the Boxer Rescue L.A. boxers, but rather foster them, like the two in the picture with me; those were fosters who later got placed. We never have enough foster homes, and fostering them makes them more adoptable, so I vowed not to keep any. But we brought Shnuffy here basically so he wouldn't have to die in a cage, as he was pretty skinny and beat up. We put him on a blanket in the sun, thinking it would be nicer that way, and he woke up, looked around and said, "Hey, it's nice here!!" So, here he is.
Dear Elayne, What would you call a self centered, fur wearing meat eater? Not Me, K.C. Dear N.M., K.C., A wolf!
Dear Elayne, We got a rescue boxer, probably about three years old, as company for our fifteen year old boxer. He's a male so we got a female, thinking that would be a good match. We are thinking of returning her. She is loving and affectionate to us and to people, but she is so jealous. If we even try to pet our boxer she attacks him. It is horrible and it's only getting worse. We think we will have to give her back, even though we already love her. It's not fair to our boy and he is miserable. What do you think? Do you think it will get any better? Arlene S., CA Dear Arlene, I know it CAN get better. This is a very common problem. People simply do not know how to properly introduce a new dog into the home with already existing animals. Because we want to give them everything to make up for the hard lives that went before, we take them in and give them the run of the house, tons of food, toys, freedom, and they don't have to earn any of it. I myself am guilty of the same thing, and in the past have gone through exactly what you are describing. There is hope, but you must be willing to work at it and to take control. Dogs are pack animals, and there is a pecking order. What your female has done is come in and immediately taken the alpha position. Sometimes, when a dog is older, and congratulations on your boxer living to fifteen so far (how wonderful!!!!), he won't or can't fight for dominance. So his life is just made miserable by the newcomer. What you must do in this case is become the alpha dog yourself. You and your sweet old guy are the top of the pecking order, and your little girl must earn everything, until she is let into the pack, in her rightful (lower) position. She must be kenneled for several hours at a time. The kennel should be in the middle of the active area of the house, so she can see you and your male boxer living freely. You guys rule. When you take her out of the kennel, it should be on leash. Take her out to do her business, and walk her around that room on the leash. She doesn't get the run of the house. Rooms may be added every few days as she behaves. She can not be allowed on any furniture. The furniture is for you, and your male if he is allowed on it. You can move the kennel into the bedroom at night if you all sleep in there, but she has to stay in the kennel. Make her sit while you pet your male. If she tries to attack, a strong correction (a loud NO and a quick strong tug and release of her choker, and make her sit and stay), then right back into the kennel. You need to do this for about a week to establish it. Whenever she behaves, ie; lets you pet him and sits and waits until you are done, no attack, praise her lavishly. Feed your male in front of her kennel where she can see him eat. He's the king, she eats afterwards. You also eat first so she can see that. Take her out on leash. Put her food down, make her sit and wait for it. Don't release her until she knows that you control the food, she should be looking at you waiting for the okay. The only way for this to work is for you to be dominant. You walk through doorways first. You precede her out the front door. She must sit until you tell her to come. She has to earn every freedom, until she earns a place in the pack, and she must be totally dependent on you for everything, so she behaves. If she goes for him, she goes back to square one. I had to do this with my new young boxer and older black lab. I hated doing it, it killed me. But you know what? Now they love each other, there is no threat either way. I have enough love for each so neither feels cheated, and my boxer is secure in knowing that he is not going to have to challenge us and fight for a place in the pack. He has one and he knows what it is. They get it fast and it could save her life, she'd be able to stay in your home. It's worth doing. Good luck and please keep me posted. Okay everybody, time to go to the
park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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