| There's an exciting change going on in the world of dog
training, and the dogs love it.
We humans are learning to train our dogs effectively with positive
training methods. This webpage draws on the work of many trainers and many
techniques.
More and more dog trainers have begun using these methods. That is what
this webpage and this rescue focuses on: the positive approaches to training
dogs, ones that enhance your dogs' natural trust and willingness. Whether
you are starting from scratch with a first dog, or have already experienced
multiple pets, the following articles and links offer you useful tips,
tools, and tactics that have been proven by many people's dog training
experience.
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Prepare for your
Dog's arrival |
The Boxer as a
Breed... |
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Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) |
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Home sweet
home -
A guide to bringing a new dog home and introducing to
the pack. |
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How Good
Is that Dog?
Looking at Things from a Dog's Point of View |
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Dog behaviors -
Cute but not really… |
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Please Note: Adopt A Boxer Rescue is not a training organization.
Our mission includes hands-on rescue, as well as education. We strive to
inform others about the realities of pet ownership, promote neutering,
and encourage responsible care. Training a dog is not an option, it is a
responsibility. Although there are many different techniques to
training dogs, done should involve harsh treatment of the dog. The
articles offered above, although different, promote positive training
methods.
It is our hope that our efforts will enhance the lives of people as
well as companion animals. |
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Below is an email from an owner who at first thought that the only
option they had was to re-home their boxer... We are all very
happy that proper training was the answer. Just ask Apollo! |
Apollo's mom wrote:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Last May I contacted your rescue group looking for guidance and
possible rehoming of my 6 year old brindle boxer boy named Apollo
because of aggression he was showing towards my daughter. I was
directed to call a woman who volunteers for you guys in Long Island
New York and she told me about Kim from Follow My Lead. As I sat on
the phone in the parking lot of my job crying hysterically this lovely
woman comforted me and assured me that if worse came to worse you guys
would help me but that it was possible to work things out. I
immediately called Kim and told her about my concerns and she agreed
to come and visit my family to see if she could help. Needless to say
she was a life saver and with her honesty, patience, and guidance she
showed my husband and I how to better handle Apollo and my daughter
together. Though Apollo will never be comfortable around children he
is 110% more tolerant of my daughter and the way my husband and I
handle him has helped the situation.
I wanted to thank your rescue group for taking the time to help me and
for putting me in touch with Kim. You offered me hope at a time when I
felt hopeless. My 2 dogs were my first "kids" and to part with either
one of them would have broken my heart. I hope one day I will be able
to volunteer for your rescue and help out in the wonderful work that
you are doing. If you could please forward this e-mail to the lovely
woman who lives on Long Island I would really appreciate it.
With love and thanks,
Jackie, Dave, Keira, Apollo, and Athena
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Sandy wrote: The thanks go to you... Dear
Jackie, Dave, Keira, Apollo, and Athena
You worked with us and with Kim to become better pack leaders which
helped you keep your family together. The fact that it is almost a year
later, speaks volumes on how you have stuck with the program, and how it
does work!
If more people were as committed as you are to resolving problems, we
would have less dogs to re-home.
Thank you. We are very happy for your family.
:-)
Sincerely,
Sandy
PS: We wish we could clone Kim!
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Question:
Whenever my girlfriend (Darcey) goes to discipline
her, Maxi will go to nip, or bite her. It's only her though. Not me.
Answer:
What is Darcey's role in the house? Again, Maxi's
temperament is developing and apparently, she has discovered that Darcey is
lower then her in the pack. This is very common in a home with more then one
person - the dog is establishing her place in your pack and if she thinks
she can get a leg up in position, she's going to try it.
Darcey is going to have to become the caregiver
of Maxi, so that she can establish her role in the pack. This means that
Darcey is the only one to feed Maxi, Darcey is the one to walk her. There is
a training method called NILIF (nothing in life is free). It is a
non-aggressive training method, using positive reinforcement. I've attached
a link to the NILIF information at the end of this e-mail. If Maxi wants to
eat, she must sit before Darcey puts her food down. If Maxi wants to go out,
again, she must sit while Darcey puts her leash on. Every thing that Maxi
wants, Darcey will control and the only way that Maxi will get what she
wants, is to do something that Darcey wants her to do. If Maxi is allowed on
the furniture, that's fine. But, at some point during the time Maxi is on
the furniture, Darcey must tell her to get off. I think it would be a good
idea for Darcey and Maxi to attend obedience classes together. Classes will
give Darcey the control over Maxi that she needs, and will allow Maxi to
understand that she is not equal with Darcey in the pack order.
I hope that this helps you to better understand
what Maxi is doing and a little bit of why she's doing it. She's young and
impressionable and is still trying to figure out her place in life. You will
be able to guide her and teach her that you and Darcey are very capable of
making decisions and she can count on you for everything that she needs in
life. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Good luck and keep us posted.
NILIF
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