Expert: Angela Donald - 3/1/2010

Question
This is the first time i am taking care of a pet and therefore have lots of questions. My lil white boxer is 5 months old, has gotten all her shots and is quite healthy except for some o the following issues n yeah we're in India:
1. She has recently started shedding a lot and that too in patches
2. Between her eyes she has this reddening with tiny bumps (No itching)
3. When i gave her a bath i noticed black spots on her skin, 2 behind her ear and two on her back. Seems like pigmentation but i dunno if that indicates anything bad.
4. She has recently started leg humping my boyfriend when he visits and my roomie (a girl). Nobody else.
5. She seems to be very slow when it comes to obedience training or even potty training. Positive reinforcement doesn't work too well with her. Her memory's like a goldfish with respect to the above.
6. Is over friendly with everyone, pees with excitement when meeting new ppl #while she jumps on them). Though she listens to commands like sit and stay generally, heeds a deaf ear when i give her commands in front of guests n remains hyper
6. We cook her food at home, but recently she had an upset stomach, when i gave her meds which the vet prescribed she had an allergic rxn n poofed up. Now her poop is semi solid but im scared to give her any other medication.
Overall shes healthy, has a crazy amount of energy and is loving but I'm really worried about her overall well-being. Please advise.

Thank you so much :)

Answer
Hello Karen,

Answer to your questions:
1. She most likely has the mange, have your vet do a skin scraping to determine or this could be an allergic reaction from the medication you mentioned.
2.This reddening could be another sign of mange or allergic reaction.
3. These black spots are normal and no cause for alarm. She will most likely develop more as she ages.
4.The leg humping is most likely her way of asserting her dominance over your friends. They are most likely showing her some signs of weakness. You must be firm with your commands and consistent , everyone must use the same commands. If you or your friends get angry or frustrated when she does these things you are unknowingly encouraging her. Be as calm as possible and have them stand up and tell her a firm NO. Then totally ignore her.It will take time to train her and it is not an overnight fix. Have her spayed as soon as possible.
5 and 6.Again positive consistent re-enforcement is the key. You must feed her and walk her at the same times every day. Preferably taking her to the same spot every time for potty breaks. If you do not get the smell completely out of the house she will continue to go there. She uses smell to determine where she will go potty. Get an enzyme cleaner or Zerodor found online to get the smell completely out.Take her out after each meal, when she wakes, after playing or if you see her sniffing or smelling the ground or circling.Praise her when she uses the potty outside as soon as she begins.You should never scold her for having accidents in the house as this can cause a negative effect.Practice obedience training everyday. Everyone must use the same commands and be as calm and assertive as possible without being loud, harsh and frustrated. Dogs only obey leaders who are firm, calm and consistent.Putting her on leash when visitors arrive and not letting her interact with them until she is calm will help. Have her work for everything. You should be using treats to give her immediately when she does as asked. Ask her to sit before giving her her meals, before going outside, before being petted, everything. I would also not let her on your furniture.This is positive re-enforcement.The harsher the treatment the worse she will get. Ask your friends or visitors to come into your home but do not acknowledge the dog at all, no eye contact, no talking and no touching. After several months of this training you can begin to limit the treats she gets.Boxers are notorious for being stubborn but they just need to have a reason to do what is asked of them and treats or food tidbits will be rewarding for most,if food doesn't do it then try her favorite toy as a reward.At her age she is an adolescent and trying out the boundaries, so be firm,consistent and calm. As for the medicine, you must give the dog medicine if she needs its in the future just be sure and tell the vet about the reaction she already has had and the name of the medicine she is allergic to.Also have the vet check her for a urinary tract infection if she continues to urinate in the house after you have diligently tried these methods described.
Hope these tips will help and thank you for your questions.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com