Why Doesn’t My Boxer Pup Wag Her Tail Often?

1. Sheri Says

   At only 6 weeks old (which might I add is terrible on the part of the so-called breeder to have allowed this in the first place) you are not going to see her acting completely like she would if she were older.
   Did you make sure that your father in-laws dog had been UTD on its vaccinations? As you definitely should not be taking the pup anywhere near any other dogs or anywhere other dogs have been until she is completely vaccinated as she can contract any number of illnesses and diseases. She should not get her first vaccination until she is at least 8 weeks old followed by her 2nd and 3rd vaccinations at 12 & 16 weeks of age. Due to the immunities received from the Dam any vaccinations given prior to 8 weeks of age will be blocked from doing any good.
   All pups mouth, nip and bite, it is what pups do. Particularly a pup so young as it is in the last few weeks of being with the dam and litter-mates that pups learn bite inhibition, which she has not received having been homed too early. She is still teething, it is not that she has an attitude.
   You have to teach her no bite. Each and every time she mouth’s all interaction with her should stop until she stops the mouthing. When she mouths, nips or bites make a high pitched yelping noise, this tells her that she has been too rough, say firmly but not raising your voice *No Bite* and stop playing or interacting with her, When she stops you can interact with her again.
   To help with teething take a dish towel, soak it in low sodium chicken broth, wring it out and place it in the freezer until frozen then give it to her to chew on. The cold helps soothe the pain in her gums and teeth and the taste will keep her chewing on something appropriate while helping her at the same time.
   Barking is not always a sign of an attitude it is also a way to express themselves when happy and interacting.
   Pups and dogs wag their tail when happy and excited .. if you are looking for her doing the kidney bean wiggly bottom, she is a bit young for that..if you mean just wagging her tail in general…she will when she is happy and content. Some dogs will wag their tails even if they are upset, scared etc so don’t think that a tail wagging on all dogs mean they are happy go lucky dogs.
   I honestly think you are expecting to much out of a 6 week old puppy who more than likely wasn’t completely weaned from her dam and that wasn’t given the needed time to learn from her Dam and litter mates on puppy manners and bit inhibition. When old enough you will have to make sure she is well socialized, all pups need to be, but a pup who was homed too early needs it more.
   Her peeing on command is probably just a coincidence as at 6 weeks old pups can only old their bodily functions for so long and taking her out frequently is a good thing but not necessarily is she peeing on command at her age. It is rare when you can get a pup or dog to always pee on command, I mean how many times does a mother tell her kids to use the bathroom before a trip and they can’t go..you are on your trip only for a short time when the parent has to pull in to a rest area or restaurant so the kids can use the facilities because they then had to go to the bathroom.
   Just take her out regularly every 30-45 minutes and then when 8 weeks you can take her out hourly.
   I generally start house training and *no bite* at 6 weeks of age but don’t start basic commands until they are at least 8 weeks old when I have litters. Never ever would I home a pup until they were at least 8 weeks old. Generally I home them between the ages of 8 &10 weeks of age depending on the needs of the pups.
   You should take the pup ASAP to a vet for a wellness exam and schedule the pups first vaccination when she is 8 weeks old.
   But to sum it up .. She is not having an attitude she is being what she is, a puppy and her tail wagging will come when she is happy and mores o when she is a bit older.

2. Horse Lover Says

   Even a dog with a wagging tail can bite. Tail wagging does not always mean a dog is friendly.

3. MamaBas Says

   I’m going to say you have to considered this from two angles – something physical affecting her ability to wag her rear end, in which case a vet visit should confirm whether or not she’s okay. Secondly it’s really too early to be panicking about what might be going on, temperament-wise. She’s only a baby. Just go with her, once you’ve ruled out anything physical going on. Is this a full tail? If so, it’s probably a good job she’s not overly waggy!! Full tails on the normal enthusiastic Boxer can potentially be a problem and may result in injury – amputation.

4. Anonymous Says

   First of all, please do not call the person you acquired this puppy from a “breeder”. Unethical breeders, such as this person, are backyard breeders.
   Second of all, she is only 7 weeks old – you are not going to get a good idea of how her temperament is really going to be until she gets a bit older.
   So I wouldn’t base her temperament on how she is acting at this age.
   Your previous dog was a mutt of some sort I assume?
   Perhaps a cross between a Boxer and a Labrador? Labradors are known to be tail-waggers as well, so to expect your pup to display a certain behaviour because she is a Boxer based on your previous experience with your mutt is not effective.
   In any case – at this age, I wouldn’t expect to much tail-wagging anyways.
   And really, some dogs just don’t wag their tails all that much. My dog isn’t a very big tail-wagger either, doesn’t concern me in the slightest.

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