I agree with Jan. Boxers are NOT outside dogs! Short coated breeds such as the boxer simply don't have the stamina to stand extremes in temperature. What's more, their coat gets very thick and dull when they stay outside primarily. Even with a doghouse, I think its cruel to leave dogs outside all the time. Please read this article about outside dogs...I found it VERY informative!
"In my mind, there is nothing sadder than the outside-only dog. Dogs which are kept as outside-only dogs have a tendency toward developing behavior problems that are commensurate with the size of the dog -- they'll dig holes reminiscent of the Grand Canyon; they'll become obnoxious in their attempts to gain attention: barking, jumping on people; and they're much more prone to become territorially aggressive, as outside dogs. I've heard all the excuses, from people who keep their dogs as outside-only dogs... this article is aimed at exploding some of those excuses.
"My Dog Prefers to be Outside"
I've heard this many, many times, and have yet to meet a dog who felt this way. Once they're given access, taught manners so that they're comfortable, and given the choice... dogs prefer to be with their humans. Even when living in a pack of dogs, most dogs will choose human companionship over canine companionship -- they prefer to combine the 2.
Dogs are companion animals... they're very social, and prefer to be with their families. If you think your dog prefers to be outside, you're fooling yourself, and doing your dog a grave disservice. He won't meet his full potential as an outside dog... he'll never be that well-behaved, mannered family member you envisioned him to be when you got him... and chances are very good that he's developing behavioral problems (as well as health problems!) as a result. Far too many of the dogs we get in rescue have spent their lives as outside dogs. That's why we ended up with them.
"He's Too Rowdy!!"
Well, Rome wasn't built in a day. He can't learn manners, if he doesn't have the opportunity to learn manners. Think about it: could YOU have learned to drive a car, without getting behind the wheel? Just as you became an expert driver, he'll become an expert companion -- with lessons in companionship.
"He'll Destroy My House!"
Not if you set realistic expectations, and plan ahead. Plan for those times when you're not available to supervise, by providing activities and toys to keep him mentally and emotionally challenged, and physically fit. During those times when you can't supervise, use baby gates, crates, and half-doors to keep him confined to a space where he's less likely to get in trouble. Don't put him somewhere (like the bathroom), and close the door -- doing this will make the dog feel isolated, and can actually cause separation anxiety. If you don't want him on the sofa, don't allow access to the living room. If you don't want him on your bed, close the door so that he can't go into your bedroom. If he's a garbage-picker, put the garbage in a cupboard so that he can't get to it. Make it easy for him to succeed, and he will... and so will you.
"I Don't Want My House to Smell Like Dog!"
Then give him the option of being clean. Dogs love to romp and play, and they get dirty doing this... but it's not an inordinate amount of dirt, if they're groomed regularly and provided with a clean place to live. If they live in dirt, though, they'll always be covered in dirt. That's NOT how they choose to live... it's how they're FORCED to live.
If he's got a really "doggie smell", there could be lots of reasons for it -- and none of those reasons will be helped by keeping him from a clean environment. Skin allergies, food that isn't high-quality, thyroid problems -- even too-frequent bathing can cause odors, by continually stripping the skin of its natural oils, which causes the oil glands to over-produce. If your dog's skin is healthy, bathing him 3-4 times per year is enough to keep him clean -- unless he engages in an activity that makes him really dirty, like rolling in something icky. Other than that, routine brushing keeps the coat clean and healthy, and keeps the smell at bay.
"I Want Him to Guard the House!"
Then what better place for him to be, than IN the house? How can he guard the house, without having access to it? If you've got him chained to a tree, then he's only guarding that tree. This makes no sense, when you really think about it.
"It's Too Hot for Him, In the House!"
Allow him to become acclimated to the conditions inside the house, and I'll guarantee that he'll prefer being there. It will only take a week or so, for him to adjust. He may shed a little more, during this time, as his internal temperature control makes the necessary adjustments... then, he'll be comfortable, and he'll enjoy it. Saints cannot handle extremes in temperature -- if it's 95 degrees outside, BRING HIM IN. On the other hand, they also can't handle extreme cold, when they're not being active -- dogs can develop frostbite, just as humans do. Long-coated Saints are even more prone to this problem, because their coat causes the snow to "ball up" between their toes.
"He Marks Territory!"
Neuter him, and housetrain him. Neutering is an immediate end to the influx of testosterone. This stops territorial behavior. Behavior that's already been learned has to be UN-learned... but it's not a difficult matter to do this. Install a doggie door, and you'll both be happy. He won't have to learn a "signal" so that you'll know when he needs out, and you won't have to housetrain him... he'll do it himself.
Got More Excuses? Send 'Em On!!
If you have a problem not covered here, let me help you gain the most enjoyment from your dog's companionship! That's what I do!
Trust me... I have a solution for just about any problem. I've re-trained lots of dogs that were considered to be "hopeless cases" by their owners -- most, with the exception of aggressive displays, require very little actual work! The majority of these dogs are dumped because they're BORED. Go ahead -- try to spend just one day the way your dog does, cooped up in the back yard with NOTHING to do... no one to talk to, no television, no books, no toys, no music, NOTHING. Can you FIND something to do? Maybe dig a nice big hole, or yell at people across the road (barking), or destroy a rose bush. Spend a WEEK out there -- do your family members think you're obnoxious, in your happiness to see them??
Now: think about how your dog feels. He's not there by CHOICE.
Brenda Rushman, Web Author
Think about it!