What is going on with Millie?!

hcshorr · 02-13-2013, 10:09 AM

Hi! We adopted a 1 year old boxer/beagle mix about a month ago and have fallen head over heels in love with her. The adoption center told us she was a stray (for quite a while based on her health and physical condition) but didn't offer anymore history on her. We brought her home and noticed almost immediately that she was potty trained already. We started crate training her that night and she had no problems with it either. She goes in around 11 pm and sleeps until 7 am on the dot everyday. For the first two weeks she was very mild mannered and quickly caught on to simple commands. We did have leash problems at first, but after about a week of training, she was successfully able to go on a walk with us. After about two weeks in, which I assume is about the time she started feeling comfortable with us and our home, she started acting out. We have chosen to not allow her on the furniture, which has now become a constant battle. She knows the command OFF but just ignores it at this point. Now she is jumping up on kitchen counters, bookshelves, tables, gates and so on. We tell her to sit, lay down or wait, and she just stares at us. She is completely uninterested in her toys and bones. If we correct her in any way at all (saying no or enough, taking something away, or simply ignoring her acting out) she goes insane. She will run around full speed, run into walls, run into us, lunge at us, bear her teeth and try to bite, jump all over us etc. When she gets in this zone, there is no stopping her and when you do get a hold of her she acts like she has no idea who you are and gets extremely agressive with you. We tried keeping her on a leash to avoid these episodes but she just becomes leash agressive and we can't take her outside when we do this. I don't think that it's pent up energy. I am at home with her all day and take her out regularly for walks, while my husband rollerblades with her twice a day for 30-45 minutes each time (usually until she's tuckered out). We feel like she may not be a good fit for our home since she has nowhere to freely run around outside. We just don't know what to do at this point. It is progressively getting worse everyday. Help!

sasasola · 02-13-2013, 10:30 AM

Sounds like you need to get her into some training classes quickly! It will definitely help teach you how to control her.

Part of it sounds like your typical crazy boxer traits and probably pent up energy. Some boxers require more than 2 hours of vigorous exercise per day.

When you say she's running around the house, sounds like she is doing some boxer burns. Duke does this almost everyday after his walks. We normally just let him run around until he has spent the rest of his energy and then he plops down and goes to sleep.

Good luck but you should definitely invest in training. Don't give up on her!

**Roccosmom** · 02-13-2013, 11:09 AM

Well, those are two interesting dog breeds you've got mixed in Millie. Here is some information about Beagle personality traits and from what you have described you are experiencing the undesirable ones:
Beagles: What's Good About 'Em? What's Bad About 'Em?

Combined with the Beagle traits you are experiencing the Boxer personality as well. They love to run around the house at full speed - this is called Boxer Burns or Zoomies!!! Boxers also adore being with their people and if you are sitting on the sofa that means she will want to as well. Of course it is your choice to keep her off but her Beagle obstinance might rule and win. Boxers also require more exercise that a lot of people may think. Not enough equals an acting out, overly active dog. If she is a year old and was a stray she probably has no idea how to play. She has been fending for herself and that could explain the jumping on the counters etc. She is a forager and is looking for "something."

I would definitely get a behaviorist/trainer involved. I would also consider some sort of activity that would appeal to the Boxer/Beagle you've got. Perhaps something with luring or agility.

Don't give up on her. She needs your help. One month is not nearly enough time to determine what her behavior will be after some good training. She and you are still in the adjustment phase.

BTW - Beagles tend to be roamers so make sure she doesn't get out. She might run.

hcshorr · 02-13-2013, 11:31 AM

Thank guys! We haven't really researched the beagle breed at all and it does seem that she is displaying some of their unpleasant traits. We will definitely look more into that and start some training classes ASAP!

sasasola · 02-13-2013, 11:36 AM

Ah yes! There are other breeds other than boxers. I forgot about that... lol

But seriously, Roccosmom makes a good point! There are things to consider with the Beagle temperament that may be undesirable as well.

Definitely get a trainer involved. It will make a world of difference!

02-13-2013, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
hcshorr New User Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 2	What is going on with Millie?! Hi! We adopted a 1 year old boxer/beagle mix about a month ago and have fallen head over heels in love with her. The adoption center told us she was a stray (for quite a while based on her health and physical condition) but didn't offer anymore history on her. We brought her home and noticed almost immediately that she was potty trained already. We started crate training her that night and she had no problems with it either. She goes in around 11 pm and sleeps until 7 am on the dot everyday. For the first two weeks she was very mild mannered and quickly caught on to simple commands. We did have leash problems at first, but after about a week of training, she was successfully able to go on a walk with us. After about two weeks in, which I assume is about the time she started feeling comfortable with us and our home, she started acting out. We have chosen to not allow her on the furniture, which has now become a constant battle. She knows the command OFF but just ignores it at this point. Now she is jumping up on kitchen counters, bookshelves, tables, gates and so on. We tell her to sit, lay down or wait, and she just stares at us. She is completely uninterested in her toys and bones. If we correct her in any way at all (saying no or enough, taking something away, or simply ignoring her acting out) she goes insane. She will run around full speed, run into walls, run into us, lunge at us, bear her teeth and try to bite, jump all over us etc. When she gets in this zone, there is no stopping her and when you do get a hold of her she acts like she has no idea who you are and gets extremely agressive with you. We tried keeping her on a leash to avoid these episodes but she just becomes leash agressive and we can't take her outside when we do this. I don't think that it's pent up energy. I am at home with her all day and take her out regularly for walks, while my husband rollerblades with her twice a day for 30-45 minutes each time (usually until she's tuckered out). We feel like she may not be a good fit for our home since she has nowhere to freely run around outside. We just don't know what to do at this point. It is progressively getting worse everyday. Help!

02-13-2013, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
sasasola Super User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 1,618	Sounds like you need to get her into some training classes quickly! It will definitely help teach you how to control her. Part of it sounds like your typical crazy boxer traits and probably pent up energy. Some boxers require more than 2 hours of vigorous exercise per day. When you say she's running around the house, sounds like she is doing some boxer burns. Duke does this almost everyday after his walks. We normally just let him run around until he has spent the rest of his energy and then he plops down and goes to sleep. Good luck but you should definitely invest in training. Don't give up on her! __________________ Susy Mom to 2 beautiful daughters , Duke and Dusty

02-13-2013, 11:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Roccosmom Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: MA Posts: 3,081	Well, those are two interesting dog breeds you've got mixed in Millie. Here is some information about Beagle personality traits and from what you have described you are experiencing the undesirable ones: Beagles: What's Good About 'Em? What's Bad About 'Em? Combined with the Beagle traits you are experiencing the Boxer personality as well. They love to run around the house at full speed - this is called Boxer Burns or Zoomies!!! Boxers also adore being with their people and if you are sitting on the sofa that means she will want to as well. Of course it is your choice to keep her off but her Beagle obstinance might rule and win. Boxers also require more exercise that a lot of people may think. Not enough equals an acting out, overly active dog. If she is a year old and was a stray she probably has no idea how to play. She has been fending for herself and that could explain the jumping on the counters etc. She is a forager and is looking for "something." I would definitely get a behaviorist/trainer involved. I would also consider some sort of activity that would appeal to the Boxer/Beagle you've got. Perhaps something with luring or agility. Don't give up on her. She needs your help. One month is not nearly enough time to determine what her behavior will be after some good training. She and you are still in the adjustment phase. BTW - Beagles tend to be roamers so make sure she doesn't get out. She might run. Last edited by Roccosmom; 02-13-2013 at 11:11 AM.

02-13-2013, 11:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
sasasola Super User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 1,618	Ah yes! There are other breeds other than boxers. I forgot about that... lol But seriously, Roccosmom makes a good point! There are things to consider with the Beagle temperament that may be undesirable as well. Definitely get a trainer involved. It will make a world of difference! __________________ Susy Mom to 2 beautiful daughters , Duke and Dusty

02-13-2013, 11:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
hcshorr New User Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 2	Thank guys! We haven't really researched the beagle breed at all and it does seem that she is displaying some of their unpleasant traits. We will definitely look more into that and start some training classes ASAP!

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