Anti-social dog speaks

I can't believe I'm even writing on this but this week I was a little upset. My brother Brix was over again. He scares me. He invades my territory and took my favorite toy. He's all up in my face and acting stupid, jumping up and down like a deer. He's like 3 times bigger than I am. I'm trying to relax in my own house He also stayed overnight and I had to share the same area where he slept.

I was having a great dream. I was warm under my blue blanket, in my comfy bed, when all of a sudden I hear sniffing noises. Then the noise got closer to my bed until I could feel something moving around the sides of my bed. I stiffened up. This didn't seem like dad or any of the family members. My heart began to beat faster. The next thing I felt was something on my back. It was my idiot brother Brix putting his fat ass paw on me. I growled under my covers because he wanted my bed. "There is in no way you are getting my bed little brother". I gave him another growl and he got the idea and left. I can be brave, and no one is going to take my bed. The whole night I slept in my bed, in the corner of the room. I feel safe in my bed. It's my special resting place.

The next morning, while Brix was not looking, I claimed his bed area by sleeping on it. Now I had two areas to sleep in. I don't want to be mean but I have nothing to say to the guy. I tried stealing his food too but Dad and Mom saw me and stopped it from happening. "Brix takes my water mom!" Sometimes I think he gets away with everything. He goes upstairs and they let him off easy. They always yell at me even when I'm sleeping on the first step.

Anyway, I just want to be comfortable in my own home again. As long as he's not around I'm happy and I can be me. If he comes near me again, or puts a paw on me, I will show him teeth!

Impressive Boxer

Maybe school isn't that bad. After all I am an impressive boxer. People just love me. Me and my buddy Tungsten (Canaan dog) met up at the school. We chatted a bit about how we were the top students and how we own this class. Then we entered the classroom single file.

I didn't see my bud Ben. He probably skipped class. Dad doesn't let me skip, he was the nerdy type back in school. I saw Willy the 106 pound bull dog mix. I don't like him, I gave him the side approach with my head above his. Then I put a paw on his back and that ticked him right off. The teacher put me in the corner. Ms. Glenny wasn't impressed. Dad wasn't either. Then this German Shepherd came to visit. Ms. Glenny game me another chance to behave but I was so mad the first time, I just got in the grill of the German Shepherd. I think she was scared. Then I really got put in the corner. What can I say? I need to protect the others and the class. I'm not a bully, I just stick up for the weaker ones.

Today we worked on downs, focus, stays and walking on leash. I did them no sweat. Dad was the one who actually got his technique wrong. Teacher had to set him straight...and he thought he knew it all. The last thing we worked on was walking and focusing. Ms. Glenny was proud of me and said I had been working hard. Tungsten stole the show. He's the smart one of the crew, I just watch his back to make sure no one messes with him.

I guess school isn't that bad. I know this time Dad was proud of me. I could hear it in his voice. This weekend Mom will be visiting me. Dad says she's away studying and we shouldn't bother her. I miss my mom though. I have more fun with Mom than Dad. Dad is a bit of a training Nazi. I will see you soon Mom, my tail will be wagging, and my butt will wiggling like how all boxer butts wiggle!

In my next life I want to be a dog

It's the Brix man again logging on to tell the folks how exciting my life has been. See me on the left there, ya that's me lying down on the cool grass in the shade. I'm a celebrity wherever I go.

Today dad took me to Mississauga to do some work. What da hell is he doing work for on Saturday? I want to play. His office is so boring. There's nothing for me to do. He tried putting a cardboard down so I could like down on instead of the carpet, like I was going to lie on that thing. His boss Frank was interesting, at least he played with me. Did you hear me dad? At least he played with me. I just slept in the office most of the time.

Then surprisingly I ended up in this big park. I think it was called Milne park and there were lots of people for me to sniff and lick. I think dad knew these people 'cause I saw him hugging them. There was food everywhere, on the grass, under the tables, and near the garbage cans. I just had to chew and eat 'em. I particularly like the white tissues but dad always caught me eating them. If there was a human celebrity that could describe me, it would be Brad Pitt, I'm just that damn good looking. Do you know how many girls came up to me kissing me, hugging me, petting me, and taking pictures of me? Dad should be happy 'cause the girls also talked to him....but mom if you're reading, dad was a good boy. Those girls were looking at me. Everyone said I was a good dog, they love my brindle skin.

Dad took me to see my sister (Shy) after. I'm not sure why we live in different houses but that's the way it is. I was so happy to see her! I was bouncing up and down but she ignored me like she usually does. She's so antisocial and so opposite from me. I don't understand her sometimes. She was acting all weird today. Must be that time of season. She hide under the tables most of the time I was around. I think it's because her bed was in the wash and she had nowhere to sleep. She's so spoiled! I sleep anywhere on the floor but she needs her "special" blanket and bed. I still love her tho.

Now I need to sleep because it's hard being a celebrity. I wonder what I'll be doing tomorrow. I hope it's not training!

First day of school for a boxer

Yo, my name is Brix, I'm a brindle Boxer and frig, today was the first day of school. First day of school for a boxer? Boxers don't go to school, only losers go to school. Owners making us dogs sit, lie down and wait. Please, I'm going to go when I need to go, where I want to go.

My master, what's his face, Jason?, ya, he thinks he's so alpha. I ain't scared of him one bit. He tried putting me in the car today...ha... I just put my two front paws up and let him do the rest. What a sucka.

At school I met up with my bud, Tungsten. He's a Canaan dog, about the same age as me. He's cool, he's a real smart one. I'm smart too but I don't need to show it to anyone. There were so many new dogs to meet! No girls though, that sucked. Damn there was this big guy Willy. I think he was a Staffordshire Mix. I tried talking to him but he came off as a tough guy. I tried showing him who was boss but dad always got in the way or was pulling my leash. C'mon dad, I can't be bullied by this guy. Then there was Ben, oh man, he's gotta join our crew. He was a shipoo mix I think. I don't know but he would be a good pack member. I have to check in with Tungsten on that one.

Class was stressful. Dad made me do downs and sits by his side. I did the downs for him. He made me nervous with the sits, I just couldn't do it 'cause he was really hovering over me. Then we did waits, and I showed everyone in class I wasn't as dumb as they thought. By the end of class I was getting real bored so I blew a fart to wake everyone up. Even the teacher said someone is dying to go home now. Yup, hey I didn't care, I'd do anything to get back to my comfy bed.

Man, school just ain't for me. I'm too smart for school and I'll show you when I want to. I don't want to disappoint dad and mom but I know dad is kind of disappointed in me. He knows I have the potential but I don't show it. I look at my sister, Shy, and she does everything she's told. My dad expects me to be like that? I don't think so.

Boxer Leash Pulling

Right now I'm not sure what is worse, a dog that barks at every strange person and animal, or a dog that pulls you towards them with such force, your hand could go numb. Actually they are probably equal. In both cases, other people view you and your dog as out of control and possibly aggressive. In my case, Brix is a boxer leash pulling maniac!

Since Brix is an 11 month old boxer, his focus and attention span is very short. This is important to keep in mind. The younger the dog, the less ability for the dog to focus so your training sessions should be kept short. There are three basic stages to get your dog to walk nicely.

1. You need to teach your dog to walk nicely off-leash.

2. Basic commands like sits and stays need to be polished for control and attention.

3. Your dog then needs to heel off-leash and on-leash.

This is the ground work required to have more enjoyable walks and curb the boxer leash pulling syndrome. More detail to come on the above topics.

Boxer Dog Adopted

So my goal of becoming a licensed dog trainer is moving forward. It was kind of strange assisting in classes when I didn't even own a dog or have much experience wih them. Now we have Brix, an American Boxer and he's a lot of dog.

The Chinese people walking on my street seem to be afraid of Brix as I see them check their shoulder and cross the road to the other side of the sidewalk. I have also managed to scare a couple kids by just walking with Brix. The Chinese people get scared, the white people absolutely love him.

Adopting a boxer dog is overwhelming if you're not prepared. Actually having a dog can be overwhelming, even for myself. Things you need to think about for first time owners:

1. Vaccinations: Does your dog have all the necessary vaccines? What vet are you going to take him to?

2. Hygene: Does your dog have dental toothpaste, toys to clean his breathe and reduce plaque? How about grooming items like nails clippers and brushes?

3. Food: How much food to give your dog and what kind. We are feeding Brix ORIJEN and I would recommend it. There is no grain which dogs cannot digest. What's the feeding schedule going to be like?

4. Potty time: Are you going to wake up and take Fido out to pee and poop in the same area all the time?

I guess I could go on but those are a few I came across this week.

My biggest task, having adopted a boxer, is getting him to re-learn or undo bad habits or building trust with his new owner. There's only one area that needs major work, and it's leash pulling. He is a 55lb boxer pulling to see the skateboarder, another dog, another person, or a cyclist. We will continue to work on nice leash walking and will update you folks soon. My muscles got a lot bigger after today.