Downers of having 2 boxers?

[Tulsa-Dan]

Tom is correct. I don't mean to mislead you and have you think that it is easy as pie to get your dogs to do what mine do.

Training is my job and my dogs have a job too which is to be my taining models. As Tom stated: they are my best advertising.

Yes, were I not a trainer I'm sure that simply walking nicely on a loose lead would be most sufficient for me and I would love just that. I teach my dogs a lot more complicated things than are truly necessary for most dogs/owners. But it is my business so that's what we do.

I also spend more time with my dogs than most people do and we work constantly on new and different things; either just for fun or for "work" purposes.

I don't mean to discourage you in getting another dog. Yes, two are MUCH better than one in my opinion and many of the things that Susie (my later rescue) has learned she has learned not from me, but from Maggie (good and bad things ). They keep each other entertained a lot of the time yet both want to spend as much time with me as they can too. The best of both worlds if you ask me.

So don't think I was saying that your dogs need to be as well behaved as mine or as trained as mine in order to live well and happily with two or more dogs. Not necessary. But some training of basic control skills IS necessary in order to more fully enjoy the blessing of having two boxers!

One more thing about walking. Most people will tell you, as I will, that when walking two dogs it becomes harder because they can be constant distractions and they tend to want to play when walking together. So extra training might be necessary after teaching each dog to walk properly with you separately, you'll need to do some extra work to get them to walk nicely when together. Not a big deal but something you'll need to be aware of.

Good luck in your decision and I hope I wasn't being too discouraging as that was not at all my intent.

Dan

 

[Aimee]

Originally posted by iBoxer
Keep in mind that I'm a single 20-something, and its important for me to be able to include Blue into my busy social life because I don't stay home much.

I don't want to discourage you as well, however, volunteering for rescue makes this statement really stick out with me. Being single and leading a busy social life is very hectic with one boxer but with two it does get more difficult. Two boxers are definantly a lot of fun, but a lot of work, time and energy. It's not as simple as some can make it seem--such as they will play together all the time and keep each other company. Too often dogs are given up to rescue for reasons of "I don't have enough time to spend with him/her and they deserve that". Please don't take this personally, I am glad that you are asking these questions ahead of time. Sometimes we try and encourage folks to utilize play groups and dog parks to give their dogs others to play with until they can be certain that they do indeed have the time and money to invest in another boxer. Good luck in your decision

 

[lilly111161]

My biggest problem with my two boxers is they are both dominant and jealous of one another. One on one they listen quite well, but together they think they are a pack and they bark at all the neighbors and chase cats and squirrels with a vengeance. I tried walking them both together but I like my arms too much to give one up. If a cat walked by I think they would pull one out! They do love eachother dearly and love being around eachother always.

 

[azskso]

We have two, a male and a female. I would have it no other way. They get very jealous of each other sometimes but overall they play together and love each other.

The walking is something I have a very hard time with. Max has gone through obedience and does pretty well but Buster has not yet so he pulls a lot and zig zags and stops to smell everything. I need to train them separately, but for now I don't have the time for two separate walks (and I feel guilty leaving one home alone).

We still take both of them with us to our parent's houses, I wouldn't say they (parents) like it, but if they want to see us they need to welcome the dogs too. Most of our friends have dogs so that's usually not too big of a problem.

We have had to cut back on our social life a little, if we are somewhere where the dogs are not welcome, we just have to come home earlier than we normally would. That part kind of stinks some times, but I also feel guilty with them in their kennels too long.

Hope this helps.

 

[Thomas Liggin]

When it comes to walking, Ava was never much of a puller, from day one. A slight tug and she'd return. Yes, she would get the slack out of the line, but would never try to drag you along.

Indy was just the opposite.

Ava is now learning to deal with distractions, and I walk them both together. When Ava sees or hears another dog, she instantly starts barking and pulling. What is interesting is that while Indy notices what is happening, he seems not to give it a second thought.

The nice thing about walking a dog is that they are under your direct control at all times, so you can show your disapproval by NO or a grunting sound to correct them. You can literally get in their face and get their attention.

While Ava has a way to go to be like her brother, you can notice progress. Not only from walk to walk, but by the end of each walk she becomes distracted to lesser degree that when we started out.

Unfortunately, you do not pick up where you left off. It's somewhere in between. Not as bad as the beginning of the prior walk, but not as good as at the end.

Even the best trained dogs need a bit of a refresher course if they go for extended periods without being "worked". Like any skill, they lose the "edge" over time. They will quickly get it back with a little practice.


Tom

 

[jasonhbaum]

I have two females boxers - one 2.5 yrs old and the other will be 1 this friday. If you ask me there are no downers of having two boxers. You get twice the love and they keep each other occupied.

 

[tanya22]

I am battling with the same question.
For now I have opted to have just Ava. Instead I go to the dog park and she has her dog friends over.
My reason for shying away from two dogs.
1. I travel a lot in the summer. Two dogs would be a little much.
2. Ava goes to my friends but bringing two I think would be a little rude.
3. Ava runs errands in the car with me. With two I think I would more likely leave them play at home.

I still wonder if Ava would be happier with a playmate. I could leave them home. We have plenty of land. I think right now she is a part of everything. With a second I think she would be a dog.

 

[boxerbonkers]

i disagree!

QUOTE]I think right now she is a part of everything. With a second I think she would be a dog[/QUOTE]

i do not agree with this statement at all! my opinion is that keeping your dogs a part of everything is a choice and an effort...and not that big of one where boxers are concerned! i think that a dog can always be a family member . they only become a "dog" if you choose to treat them like one. we choose to either include a dog or dogS as part of our lives and family or not. so when i got my second boxer that was not an issue...i made it a non-issue.

i understand that many people have reservations about getting more than one dog...and i believe that is true of any breed. I have stated before my opinion on having two boxers...i have two myself and although it is difficult at times, it is well worth the effort.

 

[Thomas Liggin]

Last year, I drove from Mass. to GA to visit our daughter with Indy. This year, my wife and I drove to GA with Indy and Ava. She flew home, and I drove back with our two dogs.

Travelling with two was not much different from travelling with one. Actually, Ava is better (read quicker) about going potty than Indy at rest stops. I walked them both at the same time with each on a thirty foot training lead. I'd go to the designated area, and if there wasn't one, I'd use an section of the rest area away from the tables and buildings.

The thirty food training leads give them room to wander and stretch.

I think Ava may have inspired Indy because he went quicker than he had in the past. I have an extended cab pickup with four doors. I fold up the back seat, place a platform on the floor so they have a perfectly flat area with no hump and put a race car window net between the bucket seats. A nice thick comforter on the platform, and they are in heaven. A few of their favorite toys complete the arrangement.

We rarely heard from them in the back seat since they spent most of the time snoozing. Even on the return trip, I never knew they were back there until we stopped. They easily went as long as we did between stops. During stops they were offered water, and were fed at the first morning stop and the last evening stop.

Occasionally the two would play quietly together in the back seat. The whining and murmuring as they wrestled around was the only indication that they were back there.

We've travelled with our two daughters when they were kids, and believe me, two dogs are a lot less stressful.

There are times each want attention from us, but not as often or as urgently as when we were their world.

Good luck in making the best decision for your situation.


Tom

 

[iBoxer]

Thanks for all your responses, I love this site! I get much more honest and understanding answers here than any other dog forum (others I've visisted are dominated by breeders who have unbelievable demands on posters and their 1st response to anything is "You need to re-home your dog.") Anyway....

Weighing the pros and cons and responses from singles and marries....For the next few months I think I will hold off and re-visit your reponses next summer. I'm starting a new job and don't want a new dog+training and my new job+my training interfering with my time with Blue. We have such a great schedule going! Blue has gotten to the point in her training where she's quite the lady (except on walks) and I really do love taking her everywhere with me. For now I think I'll keep enjoying the individual time my lil cuddle-buddy gives me, visit the dog park more often, and definitely get that gentle-leader and work on our walking.

Thanks everyone!