college student boxer owners??

[sunni_d]

I'm a college student also (junior). Lucy(my 13 mo old boxer) came into my life in the spring of 2002. There was a little bit of adjustment in my time and schedule. Lucy goes everywhere with me. and she loves it. I did miss about a week of my early morning classes though b/c i didn't know how to alot my time in the mornings with letting her out and feeding. I do recommend crate training. Lucy stays in hers while i'm at school and my roommate lets her out when she is around. I personally think that if you are ready to make the commitment, its a great choice. Also keep in mind the money situation. I had only had cats before Lucy and they aren't very expensive. About a week after i got Lucy she broke out with mange and had a vaginal infection. Anyways it ended up costly a lot of money. But she is my best friend and comes in handy whenever finals roll aroundb/c she helps me stay calm and relaxed. Good Luck in school and whtever choice you make.

Sunni and Lucy

 

[dirtsgirl]

I am a full-time university student with two boxers I am married and my husband is military, meaning he works 16 hours a day. I got my first boxer over a year ago from rescue because I needed a companion. Rogue is awesome, then one just wasn't enough so when we moved into our house I bought a new puppy Sunni. Anyway, I love both my babies equally and immensely but Rogue was easier. He was housbroken, and had all of his shots when I adopted him. He was a quick learner because he had a longer attention span, and he was eager to please because he knew we loved him. My female I had to potty train and we are still trying to get her stubborn hide completely obedience trained. She has never had to deal with the heartbreak of rejection like my boy has so she doesn't really worry if we get frustrated with her. I agree with other posters you have to make the time to spend with a dog, not just exercise and vet appointments, but plain old petting and loving. And the cost is very expensive the first year wih all of the stuff you have to buy, and vet appointments, etc. Plus if you rent you have to make sure that the owners are cool with you getting a dog because they can make you get rid of it or evict you if they aren't cool with it. I suggest you find these things out and research about boxers before you make any steps. There will always be boxers out there so there is lenty of time to research. Then I would suggest rescue in your area. You will be giving a dog another chance and they will be grateful more than 100 times over, also it is much cheaper if you get an older dog as you only have to get shots annually.
But I have to say I sleep better at night hearing their snoring because I know they are good guarddogs, and no one is going to sneak into my home. They are good friends. Basically they are family. The decision to get a dog has to be yours alone, but please make sure this is what you want and can do because there are already so many dogs out there that were given up because their owners didn't really think through the consequences of having a dog. But I know you are not like tha as you are already researching by asking us the boxer parents. Good luck.

 

[Tam319]

Oh yes, I wanted to say a word about rescue too. I adopted Tony when he was five months old and rescued Luke from a farm where he and his littermates were going to be shot when he was 2 months old. Now I love my show/purebred/registered Layla but my heart really goes out to my boys. They have both been through so much and it makes me feel really good to know I have totally changed their lives around and given them a second chance. I know I will always have room in my heart and home for a dog in need. The rewarding feeling is so great. Plus, as mentioned before lots of them are housetrained and their shots/spaying/neutering are often included in the adoption fee. Just a thought.

Tam

 

[Boxerpal1]

Getting a dog while in college can be difficult. It really depends on how flexible you want your life to be and your understanding of the work that goes into having a dog. There are days when I come home from work and need to hit the books but realize I have to take Sampson for a walk. It can be both frusterating and rewarding.

I got adopted Sampson this past summer from a boxer rescue and am glad I got an older dog. I realized I didn't have the time to commit to a puppy.

Another thing to look into is what the rental market is like in your area and how dog friendly your area is.

I have a lot of friends who have had to give up their dogs or have moved out of the area because San Francisco isn't your most dog friendly city.

Good luck!

-Julie

 

[betsyjean]

hey....i really wanted to do a rescue, but i live in north dakota. needless to say, there isn't much up here. i have looked in other states, and my only hope is minnesota. wisconsin and south dakota won't let you rescue out of state, which kind of defeats the purpose but oh well. i'm keeping every option open, and just learning as much as i can. your replys to my questions help so much!!!!!

betsy ludwig

 

[Tam319]

Why not check out the SPCA?

Tam

 

[betsyjean]

what is the spca? just like the humane society? i have checked at local humane societies, but the thing is i think i should get my dog right in may, as soon as school gets out, so i will have 4 months with her, we can go to obedience class, and she will be very comfortable with everything when i start school in september. and who knows when a boxer will come into the humane society...there isn't much up here for humane societies either, it's all very frusterating! i will still check it out though..thanks

betsy ludwig

 

[pinay21]

Not only am I in college, but I also work full time at an engineering firm and I have a 11 week old pup. I love him to death and I spend all my free time playing with him. I live in a house with one roomate. If it weren't for him and His girlfriend I don't think I could do it. Thankfully our schedule intertwine so well that he is only left alone for 5 hours at the most. If it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't have gotten him. Coal, my pup, seems to be very well adjusted. Since we've all taken care of him I think he sees all of us as his family.

Its hard to divide your time for school and work alone. Getting a puppy means hard work. Boxers need to have that family atmopshere while they grow. They need to be shown lots of love and attention, much like a human baby.

If you can give time to a pup I say go for it. If you're only home 2 hours during the day, I'd say a boxer, and well any puppy, isn't right for you at this time.

 

[Tam319]

Perhaps you could let the Human Society (which is like the SPCA) know that you are looking to rescue a boxer if they have one come in. Then they can give you a call if they get one. I rescued a 1/2 boxer and he's very sweet and all boxer at heart so maybe that would be an option for you too if you want to rescue. He looks like a boxer and acts like a boxer but his nose is a little bit longer.

Tamara

 

[Bethany]

I didn't realize there were so many married students out there, let alone with boxers! I too fall into this category.

I got my boxer in second year. Luckily my husband works so we can afford all the costs that go along with a boxer.
my biggest thing is finding enough time for our girl. Come finals or midterms even, there never seems enough time to get everything done and study, let alone squeeze in time for playing with Pebbles. those are the times when my husband takes over all dog responsibilities, and sometimes my brother even comes over to play with her. My recommendation is having some close friends or neighbors who are willing to help you out in case you have a few days where you're extrememly busy.

When we got our boxer, she was 6 weeks old and we lived in an apartment, but it did have a fenced in yard. Now we live out in the country, so there aren't any problems with room for her to run and play.

-Bethany