<p>Also, you say the dog is good with “most dogs” at the dog park. Does that mean that he is NOT good with some dogs? What happens? Does he chase and bite? Hump? Cower? If he’s being aggressive toward other dogs AND toward people, that’s a lot of dog to manage and you may not be the best home for the dog. If that’s the case–and you do mention the dog is more work than you expected–you should have a serious talk with the rescue organization that placed the dog with you. A boxer/beagle mix is NOT by nature as easy-going as a lab. </p>
<p>When he plays with the horse ball at the park, some dogs want to see what it is, some dogs he will chase off, others he ignores or is friends with, but when little yappy dogs nip at his heels, he doesnt ignore them but IMO is too aggressive in chasing them off considering their size.</p>
<p>This guy has a DVD and special collar that give some alternate options for training, he is really pretty good. our current pup is more willful than any we have had in the past 30+ years, my breeder recommended this DVD series and it helped. The plastic pinch collar really did just work to get his attention.
<a href=“http://www.dogfather.tv/productinfo.php”>http://www.dogfather.tv/productinfo.php</a></p>
<p>A lab is a mellow low key dog, generally I think of boxers as being more high energy. It seems like this dog must have had a bad experience in the past, you are now working to dig out of the hole others dug for you. Whomever gave him up to rescue has damaged his training and given him negative experiences, the dog will have to learn that was an anomaly and will not be normal. Your problem is that you don’t know what “that” is, what they did to him :(</p>
<p>I’ve always thought that taking toys to a dog park is asking for trouble. “Share” is not a concept many dogs get. :)</p>
<p>We broke our very naughty dog (after two wonderful ones) of a number of habits, by having “ringers” come to our door, come by him while walking and we’d then stage an “intervention” right there. I’ve helped friends who have dogs with annoying habits too, by coming by and correcting the dog. A few “ringers” correcting the dog, can get it through his head that a behavior is not to be tolerated. Then lots of praise for the good behavior. Our dog will never be like my earlier dogs but his behavior is tolerable now.</p>
<p>I initially was just thinking of giving him room to get his pent up energy out, since our yard isnt set up for a dog, but although the other dogs have little interest in actually playing with his ball ( Ive left three others at the park for them to play with, and they rarely do), I think it might be getting him too wound up.
Although on the other hand when he doesnt have it, he chases everyone elses tennis balls (& usually gets them)</p>
<p>However, since the park is divided into a large fenced section and a smaller fenced section, if I had a dog that only weighed 10 or so lbs, I would take him to the smaller section rather than have to contend with Malamutes and Great Danes and Rottweilers.
Actually if I had a dog that small they probably could get enough exercise just going around the neighborhood.
:)</p>
<p>One of our babies is having an ultra sound today. Possible stomach cancer…with a few other twists and turns.
We love this baby. She is the youngest of our dogs…about 12 or 13. </p>
<p>Hoping for the best, ellebud.</p>
<p>Best wishes for your pup.</p>
<p>Ive been reading the Ahimsa guide & have been trying some behavior mods that seem to be working.
Taking the chuckit to the park instead of the horse ball.
He also doesnt react to people he sees on the trails, so thats a positive.
And when he looks like he is going to take off after smaller dogs, I just tell him " Im watching you", and he changes his course.
If only my kids had minded that well.
;)</p>
<p>Crossing my fingers, ellebud. </p>