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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Have a blessed day!

Kim

have you ever heard of invisible fencing?

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…

His,
Mrs. U