Mature
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007
Knoxer the Boxer. That’s what we named our dog. He’s five-months-old now and coming along. He doesn’t mess in the house anymore. He can sit, lay down, shake hands, go to his crate, and come on command. He’s protective of the baby and walks well on a leash. He snores at your feet by the fire.
But as soon as the front door inches open… he chucks his brains and tears off. Cue the Chariots of Fire music. In William Wallace-like fashion, he gallops the countryside. FREEDOM! He’s off. He’s fast.
Now, we’ve tried to stop this habit. To do this, a dog trainer suggested that we not feed him at mealtimes. Instead, he instructed, carry around a bag of food in a pouch. During the day, call him. When he comes, feed him out of your hand. Repeat this all day long. He will be hungry and come. By the end of the week, Knox was coming on command alright….so long as he wasn’t outside.
Since the dog cherishes his freedom over enticing doggy treats, my oldest son devised a great trick during one particular desperate moment. As the garbage trucks approached, my son laid down on the ground and started fake crying. The dog came over to investigate. Then my son nabbed him. Score one for the boy, eh?
People console me about this “dog bolting” habit by reminding me that he is just a baby. Babies do not have the maturity to consider others’ needs above their own. Babies do not prize loyalty, honor, and obedience above self-gratification, self-esteem, and self-indulgence. They seek pleasure that is immediate, not holding out for a pleasure that is future. They do not deny themselves.
While we seek a faith that is simple and child-like, our aim is to be mature, complete, not lacking anything. We seek wisdom by fearing God and asking Him for more wisdom. The Bible tells us over and over: get wisdom, love God, and (by golly) obey Him! The Christian life is not one of rights but of responsibilities. Our maturity is a reflection of God’s glory (“so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16).
One day Knoxer the Boxer will be a loyal, mature pooch. He will come in when he’s called. He’ll obey my commands when he doesn’t feel like it. He will love me more than he loves to run wild. But for now? He’s still just a big baby.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ~James 1:4-5
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Thank you for that Scripture. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.
Comment by Stephen (January 23, 2007 @ 3:59 pm )
When both of our dogs were puppies we bought an extremely long, thin, light weight nylon rope and tied the dogs to it each time we went outside. We let them wander all over for a few minutes and then called them, immediately pulling the rope in until they were standing in front of us - then rewarded them. Over and over and over again. Not sure if this would work for all dogs, but it might be worth a try.
Our dog comes almost every time we call him and if he does get out unattended, he stays mostly in our front yard, usually by the front door - waiting to get back in!
Comment by Lisa (January 23, 2007 @ 4:01 pm )
Hi Amy!
Our darling dog Sunny was exactly the same! We loved her dearly, but she had that sense about when the gate would open. She would bolt. She’d run free for about 10 minutes, then come home. We didn’t like it, but we finally gave in, like wimpy parents of a strong-willed child. Three weeks ago, she was hit and killed by a car. I am still grieving, and she was a “just” a dog!
We must understand that our obedience is for our own good! God doesn’t capriciously demand obedience, He is trying to protect us.
Blessings!
Rhonda
Comment by Rhonda (January 23, 2007 @ 4:24 pm )
(Rhonda, I am so sorry about Sunny!)
Our Beagle bolts, too. I need to pray for his safety more often. Thanks for the scripture and lesson–perfect.
Comment by Cmommy (January 23, 2007 @ 4:50 pm )
I was wondering how that puppy was doing!
I probably shouldn’t depress you by mentioning that our formerly well-behaved 12 year old golden retriever suddenly developed a few bratty habits, like dashing out the front door whenever it was opened, about the time she attained “geriatric” status.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder that we should never stop seeking wisdom.
Comment by Kerrie (January 23, 2007 @ 4:51 pm )
i just read cesar’s way. it was really helpful for me and my bolting schnauzer.
Comment by chickadee (January 23, 2007 @ 5:50 pm )
Amy, have you ever heard of invisible fencing? My sister and her husband contain several Goldens using it and they highly recommend it.
Comment by Kim (January 23, 2007 @ 5:58 pm )
These dogs, they just weasel their way into our hearts! My two dogs are the same. Bella loves car rides, so whenever she gets out we open the car door loudly and she runs over and jumps in- gotcha! Lucy on the other hand, she’s our fierce little one and she loves freedom! Little does she know she breaks my heart every time she gets out, I just worry and pray and beg God to bring her back safe. I have heard that training your dog using treats and a “safety word” will go a long way for this type of bolting behavior. We obviously haven’t tried it, but some good friends of ours have and when their dog gets out they yell their safety word (it’s “stop!”) I think and their dog automatically stops in her tracks. The important thing is to get them to stop and stay.
Can you believe the way I sound? Obviously I don’t have kids yet. I don’t know how you all do it everyday with your babies. I admire you and the love you have for your children, but most importantly the faith and trust you have in God regarding those children. I think I will just burst with worries and love.
Comment by Katie B. (January 23, 2007 @ 6:28 pm )
A good perspective (on your dog) you have there, Amy.
I also read that news story of the girl being unreasonable on the plane–I thought the same thing you did.
Comment by Andrea (January 23, 2007 @ 10:23 pm )
Now that is one smart cookie of a boy you have there! :vP
Very creative!
Great lesson, Amy
Comment by Susanne (January 23, 2007 @ 10:56 pm )
hmm…. a bolting dog. What to do?
1. patience, sometimes they outgrow this
2. knowledge because sometimes they don’t grow this, and if you are not getting him neutered, will become a problem
3. don’t chase him when he’s outside, rather go hide (calling him) and/or run the opposite direction that he is in while calling him madly in an “i’m slightly crazy voice”
4. run him on a long light line
5. teach him a good down stay. This takes time and practice.
6. increase the value of the rewards that he is getting. Does he like to play ball? Tug? Does he prefer liver treats over something else?
7. is he getting enough exercise? A boxer pup needs at least an hour every day of good exercise. They are a high energy dog and need some way to burn it off.
8. he’s a wee bit young yet, but does he have a “job” to do? Having a job … i.e. help me go get the mail , can be invaluable to a pup.
If you’d like more advice, I’d be happy to help.
Comment by Annette (January 24, 2007 @ 8:28 am )
Our dog does the same thing! She has never outgrown it and no amount of bribing works. She only comes back when she’s good and ready. I wish she wouldn’t do it, but I don’t have the time to train her properly. I have more important trainees to attend to.
Comment by Connie (January 24, 2007 @ 10:54 am )
My cousin’s boxer Duchess just passed away at the age of 14. I have to tell you, that was the smartest dog I have had the pleasure to know. But she did like to roam also but eventually learned to come when she was called. We all miss her big brown eyes and saggy jaws.
Comment by Patsy (January 24, 2007 @ 11:10 am )
After I stopped laughing at your son’s witty thinking (did he get that from you? :)), I reread your post. GREAT analogy. Unfortunately, I am still like Knoxer in a lot of areas of my life. Running ahead of God. Not listening to His command. Doing my own thing. Thank you for reminding me 1)how silly I must look (like a puppy for crying out loud!!!) and 2) to ASK for wisdom!!
His,
Mrs. U
Comment by Mrs. U (January 24, 2007 @ 11:13 am )
That’s a good short-term idea. I’m hoping to get his will tamed enough to not need it. It’s kind of like those leashes parents put on their kids in stores. Wouldn’t it just be easier to tell the child to “stay near” than to have to tie him down? I realize there are exceptions that would warrant it, but in general, we’d rather teach that dog restraint from the inside instead of the outside. But how…
Annette, You’re very helpful, thanks. Knox has been great for my high energy eight-year-old (that’s not code for “disobedient” just that he has ENERGY). I feel good about his exercise as he comes back for a nap after my son takes him out.
Let’s see. He does a good sit-stay, even sometimes when the door is open–as long as Greg or I are standing there. But he’s not reliable and he won’t do it outside. Greg walks him every night before bed and takes off his leash when he approaches the house but still in the street. He “heels” all the way to the door and trots to his crate.
We do the dog-chase-you game, but he stops short of coming in. The kids have chased him in the past (big mistake), but they’ve been pretty good at luring him lately.
I will get him some better treats and try giving him the job of getting the mail (on a leash, right?). Good training takes time and consistancy. I feel an urgency about it now, though, as he is over 50 lbs. and his misbehavior is much more acute now with his size. Who wants a 50 lb. bag of bones jumping on you?!
He’s supposed to be my well-trained attack dog…
Comment by Amy Scott (January 24, 2007 @ 11:45 am )
What a cute puppy! I love the story and analogy.
Have a blessed day!
Kim
Comment by Kim (January 24, 2007 @ 12:02 pm )
That was from me…sorry for the typo.
Comment by Kim (January 24, 2007 @ 12:03 pm )
I love all of Annette’s ideas! Good stuff!! One other thing we’ve done when training rescue/foster boxers is to use the leash. We leash the dog in the house. Go toward the door. Stop, sit or down and stay command is given. Open door… if the dog even attempts to move toward the door you give a nice firm correction on the leash. It’s an exercise you have to do many times over but it does work until eventually you can give a good down command off leash and the dog wouldn’t think about going toward that wide open door even with no one there to stop him.
Part of it is just puppyhood too… but he is just so cute! How can you resist that face? Even when he is running 100 mph in the opposite direction of your call. Ha! Ha! I agree with the other comments… the Lord made them cute for a reason!
Comment by Lady Why (January 24, 2007 @ 12:54 pm )
The “Dog Whisperer” on television teaches that when dogs do that they are not getting enough exercise. Always enjoy reading your blog.
Comment by Sarah Beth (January 24, 2007 @ 5:15 pm )
Just keep thinking those happy thoughts!
Not to be pegged as the not-dog lover…I do love dogs, more the idea of dogs really. Our dog (granted she was a very high energy German Shorthair Pointer) kept running away. She couldn’t go out alone, but would wait till your back was turned and bolt. We tried everything we could and eventually gave her to my bil and his family (which was a very sad day), and with 100’s of acres she still doesn’t get enough.
It does sound like you are really enjoying him. And your son…what a thinker!
Comment by Roberta (January 25, 2007 @ 3:41 am )
That’s a good short-term idea. I’m hoping to get his will tamed enough to not need it. It’s kind of like those leashes parents put on their kids in stores. Wouldn’t it just be easier to tell the child to “stay near” than to have to tie him down? I realize there are exceptions that would warrant it, but in general, we’d rather teach that dog restraint from the inside instead of the outside. But how…
Right, restraint from within. A very good thing! But for now he’s a puppy that needs to run some of that puppy energy out. Do you have a fenced backyard? A fence of some sort would be a good thing (thus my suggestion)….or a long daily walk or two. Also, boxers are easily bored, which may be another reason why he wants to head out the door. Sorry for the “man” answer. (Sometimes when I just want to talk about a problem my husband will hand me a list of solutions when all I really wanted to do was talk. So I refer to that as a “man” answer.
Comment by Kim (January 26, 2007 @ 9:27 am )
Kim,
Knox gets a few hours a day in the fenced backyard, then at least 3 half mile walks. It’s possible he needs even more than that. Sometimes McGregor takes him on jog with his bike. No problem for the “man answer,” as I like solving problems.
I do think he’s bored even still. We need to get him a few more bones and better treats, as Annette mentioned. We are home all day, everyday, so I feel pretty good about the amount of crate time, which isn’t too much.
Comment by Amy Scott (January 26, 2007 @ 10:20 am )
Well, it certainly sounds like he’s exercised! lol
Boredom IS the downside of having an intelligent dog. We have the dumbest dog in the world (but the sweetest). He’s just a happy guy and never tries to escape. Can’t have everything, right?
Comment by Kim (January 26, 2007 @ 10:32 am )