Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, My boxer Dixie is 2 years old.  I have had her since she was 4 months old.  She did NOT get socialized at all as a puppy and may have even been abused before I bought her.  I have been trying to work with her since I bought her.  She will now come to me and even play outside, but since I have moved she can no longer stay on the family farm and is now inside.  She has reverted back to her shy, terrified behavior.  She lays in the house all day, and any time someone comes over, especially my fiance, she shakes and quivers.  Outside she will walk on her leash but seems to had it.  She won't play or do anything but lay.  Is there any way that this can be fixed?  I hope there is because I have recently been contemplating trying to find her a new home outside, the only problem there is that I am afraid she wouldn't come back to the new owners, because she wouldn't come to me when I first got her.  I bought her to be a companion and its been a hassle just to get her to let me pet her.  Please help?  Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

ANSWER: I don't know how a under 4 month old could be abused unless she had another owner prior to you-- because the "breeder" had the mom and litter-- unless kept out in the weather and not fed properly...

Anyway...

I surely hope not.

You should have socialized her as a young pup with family pets and/or a dog park. But since you didn't...

You have moved.

That is a new environment for her and stirs up insecurities. She seems to be shy and insecure anyway, so this is a problem for her.

She needs stability. Do you work? And if so, how is she boarded while you work?

To address the problems:

Sit on the floor with her. That is at her level, and not dominating. Play with her. Tug-of-war, a ball, a squeek toy, anything to get her playing an active.

Boxers are puppy-playful and clowns up to a ripe old age, and then still clownish and fun.

Put her on a leash and try to walk her and train her outside in your fenced backyard where it is her territory and familiar.

Don't try taking her out of her element until she is comfortable and walking well leashed.

Spend time with her twice a day if possible. Once in the morning before work, and in the evenings when you get home. And throughout the evening if possible.

You have got to treat her like a very shy child and coax her into playing and trusting- -so sit on the floor on her eye level to establish a raport.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
 Thanks for your advice!  When I bought her she was already like this,(Just didn't want that to be a misconception)!  She isn't interested in any of her toys, do you know of some way that I could get her to play?

Answer
I recommend buying her a KONG.

Buy the big one, RED KONG.

Fill it with peanut butter, or buy the KONG treats to put in it.

Also, Nyla bones are perfect.

But, you still need to sit on the floor on her level and use her toys  (you might buy some new ones) and get her to play. TEACH her to play.

Also, take her to your vet.

Ask your vet to check her for thyroid and for diabetes.

BOTH disorders can cause tiredness and disinterest.

Let me know the results, okay? Good luck with your girl.