Quote Originally Posted by Bronx'sBower
I forgot to ask something about Mack. I noticed he is a boxer mastiff mix and I wonder how old he is and how much he weighs. When we got Bower they said he would be a big dog but we thought he was boxer and lab mix and didn't expect him to get too large. Well he is now 7 months and is definately boxer-shepard mix-at three months he weighed 20ish lbs and at six months he weighed 55lbs. It'll be interesting to see if he holds true as a boxer and grows for a couple years instead of just one. I also wanted to note that I think Mack is a gorgeous boy!
Mack is 1 1/2 yrsa old, weighing in at a good 85lbs and growing. He also loves to cuddle, he is truely an overgrown lapdog. He talks back as well especially when I tell him to lay on the floor at night and not on the bed, because he is much to big to sleep with us, he does this OH OH OH whine almost like scooby doo, its funny, although he does lay down when told, he just doesnt like it. lol

He still barks when someone comes in the driveway, but I want it that way, that bark is alot different then his I want something bark, which we tend to ignore unless he wants to go outside to go to the bathroom, he doesnt need to bark for food or water, because we make sure he gets his two cups of food in the morning and at night,Its also hilarious to see him drink from a water bottle, like if I take him for a ride or something Ill buy him a bottle of water and pour it into his mouth and he drinks it like he has been doing that all his life. He also gets his playtime outside to run around like a crazy dog.

I think Im the alpha of our pack, because he listens to me better than my BF or his daughter or Gram. Although they dont enforce the rules like I do. They also dont spend as much time with him as I do. Also , I read somewhere that actually getting down on the floor to his level and rolling around with your dog shows them they can trust you, like your actually part of the Pack, you know what I mean, I rub heads with him, and rub his belly and rub his chest with my head. He cleans me and rubs his head on my belly or into my legs.
I THINK that plays a big part in why he listens to me better then the others, I enjoy our quality time together.

Honestly you should try this with Bower's braking habits. I learned it from someone on here. Ignore him, turn your head away from him, and cross your arms. He will persist for a bit but after awhile he will realize that he isnt going to get his way that way. If you yell at him or tell him to stop or even if you are getting stressed out about it he will pick up on that and play on it, much like a child. He will respond to neg or pos attention and fiend for both. So stop giving him any attention to the barking. Just simply walk away if you have to or simply just trun your head so you cant see him. That worked for Mack. He still barks sometimes, but he is still a puppy, so he can get stubborn, I think it comes with the breed as well. You just have to show your dominance. Also I noticed with Mack , when he barks for attention, now that we have been looking away from him not saying a word, he simply stops barking and lays down, when he does that is when I get to his level and rub his head and tell him good boy.

Hope this helps,
sorry I was long winded today. lol