A little brother???

[TClarke]

:rolleyes:
Just an innocent question, but one I've been pondering. I have a 10 month old girl who's got the best personality in the world. She loves other dogs, adores people, and I was thinking of getting her a baby brother.

Of course it would be another boxer, and I was thinking a boy since I read that boxers like opposite gendered boxer pals. They'd both be desexed (Trixie was already spayed).

I was particularly wondering about the logistics.
1. Do I do seperate crates?
2. Should the crates be in separate rooms so that the puppy learns a little bit of independence from Trixie?
3. How does one get them both to the bathroom?
4. How would I walk BOTH of them?
5. Would Trixie help teach the puppy some of the rules of the house?

Also... someone told me even spayed females will go into a "false pregnancy" when a puppy is introduced... is that true, and if so what does it mean/entail? Trixie was spayed before her first heat.

I'd appreciate ANY and all feedback. I'm sure there would be high times and low times with a new sibling, but I was wondering what people had experienced.

Thanks.

 

[JulieM]

While I firmly believe that two Boxers are better than one, I also firmly *know* that two Boxer puppies are worse than a demolition derby :D I would recommend either waiting until your girl is older (IMO at least 18 months, 2 years is better - gives her time to get through adolescence, which is hard enough with one but a nightmare with a puppy around), or adopting an older dog from Boxer Rescue. (In case you're wondering, at one point in time I had a 12-month old, a 9-month old, and 5 6-week old puppies - and kept one of the puppies, so it's been puppyhood-adolescence-puppyhood-adolescene-puppyhood all at the same time. Not fun. Trust me.)

Anyway, dire predictions over, on to your questions

Yes, opposite sex pairs are usually recommended, although same-sex pairs often work out find and opposite-sex pairs get into fights, too.

1. Do I do seperate crates?
Yes, each dog should have a place of their own.

2. Should the crates be in separate rooms so that the puppy learns a little bit of independence from Trixie?

We've never done that, our crates are all in the same room, and we haven't had any problems with separation anxiety. (Of course with 5, it's rare that there's ever only one home at a time).

3. How does one get them both to the bathroom?

A fenced back yard is great for this The puppy will need to go out more than she will, and you can take them separately if you need to.

4. How would I walk BOTH of them?

Until they're both firmly trained for loose-leash walking, I personally wouldn't try it. (I've found they tend to think they're a sled team when there is more than one of them being walked....) Once they're trained, you can either use two leashes or purchase a coupler - two short straps, one for each collar, connected by a middle ring that you connect the leash to - it makes a "Y".

5. Would Trixie help teach the puppy some of the rules of the house?

She will, especially once she is older and more mature. (At 10 months she's still very much a puppy, so might spend more time thinking of fun things to do with the new guy than teaching him the ropes!)

Also... someone told me even spayed females will go into a "false pregnancy" when a puppy is introduced... is that true, and if so what does it mean/entail? Trixie was spayed before her first heat.

I've never heard this and frankly doubt it, since false pregnancies are caused by hormonal changes which Trixie, being spayed, does not undergo.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I defer to Julie on the crate questions. I have no experience since I do not crate my dogs.

I adopted Susie (a 2 year old female) when Maggie (yes a female as well) was about 8 months old. They bonded almost immediately (as soon as Susie became comfortable in her new home). I have had no fighting between them whatsoever. In fact last night I sat fascinated because Susie had an upset tummy and had thrown up, and Maggie went over and licked Susie's entire face and head, cleaned her ears and mouth and neck for her. It was the sweetest thing I'd ever seen.

Although it was recommended that I take them out for "business" separately, I have never done so. I took them out together, on separate leashes since day one and have had little problems. (Sometimes I use a two-dog leash, but they don't really like it so I generally use separate leashes and hold them together inone hand being careful not to "catch" one of their tails with the other leash -- it takes a little getting used to on your part). Susie had some leash pulling issues, but we have worked them out by now and she and Maggie walk side by side, in unison mostly, or one in front of the other beside me. The poop and pee in their own "favorite" spots, Maggie usually going first and Susie seems to need a little more exercise before she goes. One waits while the other does her business. They are very sweet.

Maggie has helped in the training as well. She shows Susie how it is done and Susie gets it. This was particularly true for loose leash walking. I do training exercises with both of them together, reinforcing Maggie's training while working on Susie's basic training and some of the problems she's had. Maggie was also instrumental in helping Susie overcome her separation anxiety problems.

I've not heard of the false pregnancy issue you mention and have not experienced anything like that (both my girls are spayed).

The only "problem" I've had with them is that they love to play and wrestle and run in the house. I don't mind but, sometimes they get carried away and things get knocked over. They both know the "enough" command and when they get carried away, I say "ENOUGH" and they stop, shake it off and find another toy to play with.

It is my personal belief that the more time you spend with your dogs working with them, teaching them the right behaviors, the fewer problems you will have. Most people have behavioral problems with their dogs, in my opinion, because they are lazy and don't spend the time to work with their dogs. Every walk and everything we do is a training exercise. I take treats and we work on one command or another, or learn a new one with each walk or outing in the car or visit to a neighbor's house. Training is constant and must be reinforced continually. It needs to be fun for both you and the dogs.

As a result, I feel I have two very well trained, well behaved dogs. Sure, they get to be dogs and play and rough-house, in the appropriate settings at the appropriate times. It isn't all discipline. But when the time comes for good behavior, they know what to do.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Christian C.]

I wanted to jump in here as my situation is much the same as TClarke's, but my concerns are a little different. Georgie's at 9 1/2 months now and is just getting to the point where she's a wonderful companion instead of a puppy that continually needs monitoring. I can trust her around the house and we've really bonded. I also am thinking of getting her a sibling-a boxer, of course!--because she has such a great time and is so happy with other dogs and has no problem sharing beds, water bowls, etc. with them.

I guess my concern lies more in wondering how another dog will change the dynamics of our relationship, and if Georgie will really want another dog with her 24/7, not just as a playmate who will go home at the end of the day. I am thinking female, and of adopting one at least 2 years old. But then, I wonder if I should just wait a couple of years as Georgie's breeder will be breeding her sister when she finishes showing her, and start over in puppyhood. It might be fun to have Georgie and a niece, but the main advantage is that I would know exactly where we stood with health testing and history, since there is a great void there with adoption. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

PS--On the question of false pregnancy, Georgie spends a lot of time with our neighbor's 3 month old boxer puppy and has since they brought her home--probably enough time to induce false pregnancy if it was going to happen. I also got her spayed before her first heat, and she exhibits nothing more than a friendly proprietary interest in the puppy.