Thinking Of Selling Daisy

[Whisk_Luva]

Do you really think complaining at Tim is going to do any good? He only has Daisy at heart I am sure!
Come on let him make the decision. It not mine or yours to decide, Its Tims. If Tim thinks Daisy will be better with his brother in law then so be it! We cant stop him. And to put a thread up and take this long to decide shows he loves Daisy. Otherwise he would have gotten rid of her by now. I think its
best he makes the decision himself!

Shouting at him isnt going to help!

Yes poor Daisy, but he came for advise not for everyon to shout at him. Shes kept outside, SO WHAT? It doesnt mean shes neglated! Why wont anyone understand that? Most people wont have seen Daisy or where shes living so who can say she neglated?

Well Tim, Make the decision which will make Daisy Happy. I think you know your dog and people on this chat don't.

[shais_mom]

And if you think "dogs are just dogs" then do the poor dogs

I know this is beating a dead horse but this reminds me of the commercial where the woman is looking for the perfect purple color and her husband says its "just" a pillow (or whatever) and she looks at him and he says "well your JUST a man" and he says "oh boy".

seriously Tim - most training sessions are supposed to be short anyway b/c the dog only has the mentality of a 2 year old.
Racking brain here - but I know when my dog (100 pound Golden) gets around kids or even small dogs I say "GENTLE" or "EASY" some might think its b/c she is going to eat them but it is b/c I don't want her to get excited and knock them over/down.
If you have internet access then you have the world at your finger tips on dog training. Did you try GOOGLING dog training articles
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...ining+articles
there I just did it for you - and if you would have taken the time to do THAT when you posted HERE you probably would have a lot less headache and hard feelings toward us.
And I'm with everyone else that if you DO sell her to your brother in law - PLEASE spay her first - altho I wonder if he would even want her then. Do not add more to the over population of unwanted animals.
Please.
I do respect the different mentalities of different states and regions of interest. Where I live there are people with just as different views on dog/pet responsibilites just like other places. It may be just as foreign to those areas to allow the dog/pet in the house as it is to US to NOT allow it in the house.
I respect the differing mentalities but I don't agree with it - and that's fine.

[Pam]

Now if you can tell me how to train her in 15 to 20 mins a day i may try that if not thank you all for your opinions.

Tim, I haven't read this thread through since I commented early on but I am sure it has gotten heated. I just now looked for a post from you to see what your thoughts have been through all of this and was encouraged by what you said above.

I took Bella through obedience school and also the two dogs I owned before them. The instructor showed us the things we needed to do and told us to just work with them 15-20 minutes a day until the next session a week later. At the next session we were given more *homework* to do with the dogs, and more the week after that, etc., etc. Without exception every dog in every class improved. We had a golden in the class that was just like Daisy, very high spirited and with a mind of her own. By the end of the class (10 weeks later) she was a different dog.

I can't go into detail here with how to train a dog and I am sure you don't have an obedience school close by if you live in a very rural area. Do you live near a PetsMart? They have classes. If that is not an option, just buy a book. There are many good ones out there and lots of people here could probably point out some good ones that have worked for them. I am encouraged that you are saying you will give Daisy 15-20 minutes a day. It is a start!

[coco-bean]

i really think alot of us (def. including me) got heated was how he worded his thread with daisy involved, of course we all want whats better for daisy and i really hope tim means it when he says he does too. But i sure as holy hell hope he realizes the BEST for daisy is def. not being a LONG time breeding machine. Dogs are like people in some ways...we get worn out. Sure im not big on kids and sure, i dont have any...but i do know that the body wears down...giving birth is hard for a human...think of that times however many puppies she has...PER LITER!! If you really want whats best for Daisy...at least spay her before anything! Alot of times spaying/neutering WILL calm them down some...some it works, some it doesn!
15 minutes a day would be perfect for daisy, the reason why she is climbing the fence or digging under it is because she's bored...if your back yard is fenched, throw the ball for 10 minutes...that'll have her start realizing she CAN start to trust you and you are her human!
while on you "so called walk" maybe go an extra 2 or 3 blocks...or take one of your kids and have them hold the leash so they realize she isnt just a hyper dog...help them hold the leash she she doesnt run away with them.
OR even jog a little with her...you NEED to wear her out...you'll soon realize that when the dog is worn out she will calm down and be more apt. to stay put in the cage.
I highly recommend fetch..if she likes it...my dogs will do it for hours if i let them...and when we get home...they are utterly exhausted!
On another note: Yes tim we jumped on you...me especially...it was all in the wording of your thread, it really made you sound like a real pr*ck! you may or may not be, your the one who knows who you really are, but im sure your better than this! if you want to do whats so best for your daisy, the least you can do is do a little research on your BIL or breeding and talk to your vet.
Or who knows maybe you even baught her with breeding in mind. Which also makes sense to me since you still havent gotten her spayed and she's 8 months old already.
I really dont know Tim, i just want you to be responsible with her, when you bought her you took on the responsibilty of her, including keeping her safe!
sending her off to be a forever mom insnt necessarily safe for her!
Just think about it, we'll be here to help you, but the one thing i've learned about PT is you HAVE TO WORD THINGS RIGHT! otherwise the ppl. here will tear you apart!
i've learned to watch my wording and go with it that way!
I would at least like to know what happeneds to poor daisy!
thanks for your time!

[trayi52]

I guess the thing that upset me is what you said about her being "just a dog". None of my pets are just a dog, just a cat, or just a monkey!

Willie

[sasvermont]

Need I say more?

[buttercup132]

You CAN train her for 15/20 minutes each day. It will take her a little longer to grasp it but since Boxers are smart breeds I'm sure she would have no problem.

I dont even know wether or not to offer help. Your obviously not going to give her to rescue. So whats better for Daisy , a home where she is kept outside with little attention. Or the home where she would possibly be taken better care of but turned into a breeding machine?

[finn's mom]

I don't really have a problem with people who see their dogs or other pets as "just a dog" or "just a cat" or whatever. I don't have a problem with anyone who takes care of their dog's needs but has them as an outside dog. And when I say "dog's needs", I meen food, shelter, water, medical care, and the ability to be with their pack. A dog doesn't need to be with their pack 24/7, though. Just like kids don't need to be surrounded by family 24/7. I can't begin to know how much time you and your family spend with Daisy, Tim. I hope it's enough time.

With that being said, I am "one of those people" who treats my animals better than most. My dog is a dog, but he is a member of my family. He is not a child, but he is most assuredly a family member. But, I understand and am ok with people who do not feel that way. As long as an animal has their needs met, I'm all right with people not letting them in the house.

Now. What bothers me is that you would get a dog like a boxer and think that it wouldn't be a playful, energetic hyper dog. People shop all over the darn place for the right couch and research the best deals on airfare to save money, but they will just choose a dog not knowing the first thing about the breed, just because "it's cute", or "I had one as a kid", or, in your case, "people around here are afraid of boxers". There absolutely has to be more thought put into bringing a living creature into your home, especially one who could possibly be in your care for upwards of twenty years. If a dog running through your house and knocking your children over was a problem, maybe an already trained adult boxer would have been a better option. I know it's obviously not something you can do anything about with Daisy. But, maybe consider it if you do decide to get another dog.

[Karen]

Tim, would your wife be able to help with training when you are away from home? That would speed things up considerably, to have it reinforced, what is her daily schedule like?

Daisy is still a puppy, so constant reinforcement of good behavior is the best. If you do 15 minutes a day of basics - leash training first - as in NOT pulling when she's on a leash, , then come, sit, down, and "off" - whever she jumps up, step back and make her keep her four paws on the ground - all good skills for her to know - sit, down, and off being particularly important for an exhuberant breed like a Boxer.

If you work on these things, even just 15 minutes a day, and then your wife do it as well, Daisy should pick up on things quickly. That said, she is still a puppy, and will be exhuberant for years to come, being a Boxer. If you need to rehome her, our prayers will follow with her.

[K9soul]

Tim-

This is a site that has links with a lot of useful information, how to do some basic training, and dealing with various behavioral issues.

http://www.dogpatch.org/obed/obpage2.cfm

Of course there is a wealth of information online. You can simply go to google.com and type in "dog training" and come up with all kinds of information. I'd suggest if she doesn't already know it to train sit first. Sit is a good command to get the dog quiet and under control and focused on you. You must use rewards, such as treats or a favorite toy or at the very least praise and attention, to make her want to work and learn. Take her out on a leash, have her sit, let her learn she gets attention when sitting and being good. But also she needs to be able to run and expend energy. If she can run off some energy before training sessions she will be a lot easier to work with. If you work with her every single day, consistently, even for just 15 to 20 minutes, she most definitely will improve as well as be a happier dog. Also if you spay her she may settle more and be easier to handle as well, plus it reduces her risk of certain cancers and health issues.

If she goes into heat she may very well attract aggressive wandering males who could be of danger to your family. Please consider it for the safety of all.

Here is a very basic guide on teaching sit. http://www.ehow.com/how_65_train-dog-sit.html

Good luck.

[Rachel]

We have all made mistakes in life and I can think back to my decision to get a Bengal cat that was close to $1000 dollars, only to find out that it clashed with my one cat. The Bengal was rehomed, to a wonderful home out of state, for free. I owed it to the kitty to find just the perfect home. I think you owe it to Daisy. A real home, not just to recoop your money. You made the wrong decision, not Daisy.

Have a little heart and let this pupster go to an organization that handles Boxers and finds them good homes.

A lesson learned?

SAS

I'm quoting this because I feel it gets to the most important point to be dealt with now. If you are still reading, Tim, I implore you to take this to heart. There are good people here. I've made some mistakes in the past which haunt me to this day. Let the people here be a barometer for what to do now. Over and over this suggestion has been made. I'm not going to quibble over the choices you've made in the past, it's too late for that to make any difference. What you do here on out can make a huge difference for Daisy. Please give this idea the consideration it deserves.

[dukedogsmom]

I agree, Rachael, but I truly think his mind was made up as he was writing the first entry

[elizabethann]

Tim, may I suggest you look into getting training for Daisy? Do you have a PetSmart or some kind of kennel where y'all live? I think it would be great if you make it a family training course. Bring the wife & kids. Kids need to learn how to behave around/with dogs. Luckily, in NH there is training facility that has a class that is just for kids & dogs - no parents. Perhaps you can find something like that?

Fenway is going to be 4 this year and I'm still training him. He knows the basics, sit, down, off, down. But I'm still reinforcing these things with him each & every day. He's not a rocket scientist. But I love him dearly. Sometimes I'll say "sit" and he looks at me like I'm rock.

I really hope you can get proper training for Daisy. And may I suggest you get her fixed? I think she may be more calmer if you get her fixed. But maybe more people on this board who have dogs that aren't fixed will know about their temperment...fixed or not fixed. I always understood a fixed dog was more calmer. But I could be wrong.

As far as running the kids over, Daisy is still just a puppy. She's going to rambunctious (spelling??). Boxers have a ton of energy. I've yet to hear of a kid getting seriously hurt or dying from a dog running them over. Kids bounce.

Good luck.

[SunsetRose]

This is really not making sense to me.....If you apparantly have 15 minutes a day to work with her, why have you waited until now to do it? Even if you work with her for 15 minutes a day, that isn't nearly enough. She is out there 24/7, 15 minutes of your time trying to teach her to stop jumping or to sit every day isn't going to do any good. Unless you are able to dedicate over an hour to exercising her and training her EVERY DAY, then you will not have a dog that you would be willing to allow around your children.

To be honest, I have never seen a well behaved dog that is kept only outside that has good social skills and good manners. And you are neglecting your dog by keeping her outside, I don't care how you try to justify it, you still are. Dogs are social creatures, you don't understand just how much you are keeping from her by isolating her outside. She will always lack the ability to read your body language and your moods and emotions to a T, she will always lack that special bond with people that would make her easier to manage, easier to train and more pleasant to be around. When your dog is inside, there are so many opportunities to train her and work with her. I can have a dog inside my house and it ends up totally obedience trained in a week and I don't even have to set aside any amount of time or give official lessons.....It just happens because the opportunites are presented to me throughout the day and I take advantage of them.

Are you totally helpless to where you can't go to petsmart and sign up for training lessons and buy a few books while your there? Seriously, I started training dogs when I was 13, never attended a lesson, never even picked up a book and I managed just fine.

I don't know what you are coming here for other than to complain about how terrible and "misbehaved" daisy is when it's completely your fault! Quit relying on other people to help you and quit waiting for problems to just fix themselves. The only way you are going to be able to resolve this is if you make it happen and learn to help yourself. You started a thread in the behavior section about how to stop daisy from pulling and you have been given alot of great advice, have you done anything with it yet? And there's this thing called a search, where you can find another topic by a person who has a jumping dog and those same methods that are posted will help you too.

[Kfamr]

15-20 is fine for daily training. It is best to make training sessions short so that dogs don't get bored. However, if that is all you spend with her daily that is NOT enough.

Daisy needs some rules. She needs pack rules. She needs to understand that your kids are humans (right now I'm sure she sees them as screaming, running toys!) The NILIF, Nothing In Life Is Free, method of training should help quite a bit. It's very easy (for us) and anyone can train their animal using this. Daisy needs to know her basics - sit, down, lay down, stay, come, etc. Google it.

I never said anything about outside dogs not being able to be trained. HOWEVER, it is very difficult to teach a dog not to jump on toddlers, not to chase them, etc. if they are stuck outside their whole lives and never around the kids.


What do you need to know about training? I said in my very first post that people here (well, I can speak for myself) would be willing to help you train her and answer questions you may have. However, when suggestion training you spoke as if it was absolutely impossible to train.

It's not. It's incredibly easy to train a dog especially if you get to know your dog.


PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE contact Daisy's breeder. AS I said, I'm not sure what type of breeder she came from but you can be in a legal mess if you decide to sell her and it was in the contract for her to be returned.