Dog Community

Boxer Acting Strange?

Posted : 7/24/2006 7:34:28 PM

My Boxer is just over a year old and has been a perfect dog. He's always been very obediant and has never been a fussy eater.

All of a sudden a few days ago he suddenly stops eating and drinking. He wouldn't even drink after I took him for a long run in the blistering heat. Today he started drinking again which is a good thing, but no matter what I put in front of him, he won't eat a thing. He wouldn't even take a juicy breaded chicken skin from me.

He is also being very difficult with me when it comes to commands. He's well trained enough that he still does what I ask, but he seems very distracted all the time, looking over his shoulder and stuff, so even though he knows what I'm asking him to do, it can take a few times to get him to pay attention.

I'm figuring that it must be that he has finally become sexually aware. There is a female in the area that has gone into heat, and I think that could be what's on his mind, but I've never heard of a dog neglecting to eat because of that.

I know that eventually he will get hungry enough to eat, and that need will outweigh his current obsession, but I'm worried that I might also be overlooking something else unrelated.

Could anyone throw up more suggestions, or do you agree that it's probably the sexual adolecense thing?

Thanks for all your help.

Julitza

Posted : 7/24/2006 7:44:27 PM

I DEFINATELY think its due to the female in heat, he must be very stressed that he can smell her but not get to her.

Why isnt your pup neutered? If you neuter him you can avoid all these headaches

Darren Tilley

Posted : 7/24/2006 7:49:25 PM

The reason he hasn't been neutered is mainly because this is my first dog, and I really didn't know just how much being neutered affects their behaviour. I guess I didn't wan't him to have any operations that weren't neccessary.

I'm obviously beginning to realise just how neccessary that particular operation is.

** Edit: Any temporary fixes for this problem till I can get him to a vet? **

Julitza

Posted : 7/24/2006 7:54:44 PM

Yep its VERY necessary, more necessary than ear cropping and tail docking and dew claw removal (not sure if your pup has these but its common for Boxers) You will definately have less headaches, he wont go after females, he will be calmer, not to mention he cant get testicular cancer and will live a longer life than an intact male.
Neutering makes training alot easier also.

Now if only my parents knew about neutering when I was a kid, maybe we could have gotten that Cockapoo devil under control [&:]

By the way, you really dont want your dog to contribute to the overpopulation of dogs right?

Julitza

Posted : 7/24/2006 7:58:48 PM

I saw the edit part after I posted [8|]

But yea, try not to walk him around the area so he doesnt get a real strong sent.

If you dont want to entice him into eating (as he can get used to that) serve him his food, if its not eaten in 20 minutes pick it up and put it away until next meal time. That way he knows that if he doesnt eat right away he doesnt get food.

As for the water my dog Lizzie likes when I add ice cubes. Also, there are these ice molds that make doggy bone shaped ice cubes and some dogs just chomp away at them!

Darren Tilley

Posted : 7/24/2006 8:04:56 PM

He's had his tail docked (badly) and his dew claws removed, but his ears are intact (just the way I like them).

I understand most people's opinions on the overpopulations of dogs, but personally I also have issues feeling that I have the right to rule that out completely for him. He's an indoor dog who is always on a lease when outside the house. For him to reproduce, it would require my participation, so I never thought neutering him was that important. However that's before I saw just how severe his sexual frustration can affect him. He's definitely not happy right now, and I think he will be after the op, so I'm beginning to come around to the idea.

Thanks for your help.

** Edit: Um... The bitch lives next door, so there really is no way to escape the scent. **

Xeph

Posted : 7/24/2006 8:27:27 PM

For him to reproduce, it would require my participation,

That is a completely false and naive statement. If your dog wants out to get that bitch (Especially if she's next door) he WILL get out. You would not BELIEVE some of the things dogs will do! Bitches too!

They will climb fences, chew through doors, BASH through walls, even breed through fences (It HAS happened!) to get what they want.

You need to get your dog neutered and get over your "issues" of "taking that away" from him. Dogs do not have sex for enjoyment, they do it to reproduce, not other reason. It's as simple as that.

You need to get him into the vet, and have him castrated. Now he understands what a bitch is, and what that scent is....he just knows. Neutering can't help that, but it CAN kill his most primal urges, and even if he did get out, at least then he couldn't breed.

If you feel that badly about having his testicles removed, get him a vasectomy, but I still say neuter the dog and make life better for everybody. Your dog may have only humped the bitch next door, but what about the person who ends up with the pregnant bitch who then has to pay for the care of said bitch?

Of course, I'm also wondering why neighbor doesn't have their animal altered if they're not going to show her (and it's highly unlikely they will/do)

Julitza

Posted : 7/24/2006 8:47:19 PM

Im glad your coming around to the neutering thing, because even if your dog has no way to escape, it can still be hell taking care of a doggie that is sex crazy. (Which is why I always have females!)

It doesnt matter if he will never breed, one more reason to neuter him. I would hate to hear the news that my dog has testicular/ovarian cancer at 5 years old. Thats a heartbreak easily preventable by neutering.

A neighborhs dog got lose and went after a bitch in heat...in the process he got run over by 2 cars [X(]
That could have been prevented by an easy neuter. Neutering is quite easy on the male dogs all they have to do is snip snip, a female requires longer surgery and more pain, while I can guarantee your pup will be back to his bouncy self in a few days.

By the way, got any pics? I love boxers!

tiffy

Posted : 7/24/2006 9:09:51 PM

Just imagine how your boy feels. All this sexual energy and he can't do anything about it. Poor puppy.

Darren Tilley

Posted : 7/24/2006 9:41:31 PM

By the way, got any pics? I love boxers!

Julitza

Posted : 7/24/2006 9:50:51 PM

So handsome! But I must say, he definately looks like hes sexually frustrated, poor guy! [

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luvmyswissy

Posted : 7/24/2006 10:02:32 PM

If you know that there is a dog in heat next door than you are probably correct. But could there be a possibility that he may be sick or have a medical issue? I would keep an eye on him. Be very cautious with a male dog who has a female in heat next door, he could start to behave badly in more ways than one.

And..

lease reconsider getting him neutered it is what is best for him - if you are not planning on breeding him.