Getting a new boxer puppy

[StevieD]

My family is going to get a Boxer puppy. This is our first boxer. Does anyone have any suggestions for us.
(1) should we use a crate? We are getting alot of mixed messages about them.
(2) What food should we use? Should we mix soft food with it?
(3) Should we use wee wee pads?
(4) What can we expect? Some information we have been given is they will destroy our house if we leave her alone?

Any information you have and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Chewy's Mom]

I would start off by checking out the "Boxer Puppies" section of this site. Click on the appropriate red button up at the top to go to that section. Then read like crazy!

Briefly, my answers would be...
1. Yes, use a crate. Even if it's just at night or part of the day, but get the pup used to it at a young age.
2. Do a search on this site for WDJ or Whole Dog Journal, and pick a food from their top ten list. We have used Canidae and California Natural - both excellent foods. Puppy chow, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet are all crap. Oh, and typically vets no nothing about good nutrition. Whatever food you choose, switch the puppy over to it gradually by mixing it with the food the pup has been on and slowly increasing the % of new food over at least a couple weeks. I personally would not mix it with soft food.
3. Don't know. We did, but I've heard positive and negative.
4. If you don't crate your pup, expect him or her to gradually learn to be destructive. Our pups didn't hit the destructive stage til 4-5 months old. Now they are experts.

When are you getting the pup? Just read up a ton, and if you haven't already picked out the pup, I would suggest reading up on how to choose a good breeder. Super important because of health issues. Good luck!

 

[Eric J]

Monique covered most of this so I will cover the wee wee pads. The answer I feel is no. I have read in more then one source, teaching a dog to pee anywhere in the house and then teaching it to pee outside is actually potty training twice and why put up with twice the hassle when you can just do it right the first time?

 

[Boxer_21]

(1) should we use a crate? We are getting alot of mixed messages about them.

Yes, a crate is perhaps one of the most important things you should purchase!! Before I got Riley, I swore that he would not be put in a crate. I always viewed them as being mean and unfair for dogs. My plan was to just block him off in the hallway using baby gates. Guess what, the second day we owned him, he jumped over the gate. Thankfully he didn't hurt himself, but that's when I knew a crate was a must. Now, Riley actually goes in and out of his on his own. It really seems as though he likes it.

(2) What food should we use? Should we mix soft food with it?

When you first get your puppy, keep him/her on the same brand that the breeder is feeding. When you've decided on which brand to switch to, do it gradually over a week or two. If you switch brands all of a sudden your puppy could end up with a bad tummy ache and very loose stools. Slowly start mixing in the new brand with the older one. Gradually increase the amounts as the days go on and eventually the old one should be phased out.

(3) Should we use wee wee pads?

Personally, I wouldn't want to teach my dog to pee and poop inside when he should clearly know that outside is the place to go. So, my personal opinion is no.


(4) What can we expect? Some information we have been given is they will destroy our house if we leave her alone?

You can expect a very lovable, hugable, bundle of joy that will test your patience. Boxers are curious and they like to check things out. It's up to you to make sure that they not getting into something that they couldn't. As it was already mentioned, if you leave your boxer alone, especially a puppy, you can expect some damage to your house. A bored boxer is not a happy boxer and they will try to amuse themselves by any means necessary.

 

[debcadman]

We tried pee pads [at night] and Ben LOVED them - he thought they were great fun, and his special toys! He tore them to shreds!

 

[Thomas Liggin]

A crate is great. We had several dogs and never had a crate. We too considered them to be prisons. But when we got Indy, we were persuaded by reading, the breeder, and our daughter, who along with her husband own a kennel where they breed Black Labs and train them for hunting and field trials, that a crate was the way to go.

Once your pup is crate trained it will be your dog's safe haven. He/she will often enter on their own for a nap or rest. A word of caution, DON'T USE IT FOR PUNISHMENT!

Ditto all the other points plus one. Provide plenty of toys for your pup to chew and cuddle with. While baby will still manage to chew on things it shouldn't, toys provide relief for teething and the chewing instinct.

You will be amazed at how much your Boxer is going to bring into your life. It will take a lot of dedication, but the rewards will exceed your wildest expectations and hopes.

Congratulations and enjoy,

Tom

 

[Boxer_21]

Originally posted by Thomas Liggin
Once your pup is crate trained it will be your dog's safe haven. He/she will often enter on their own for a nap or rest. A word of caution, DON'T USE IT FOR PUNISHMENT!

One more word of caution, NEVER put your puppy in the crate while he/she is still wearing a collar!!! Be sure to take it off at ALL times. There have been people who've lost puppies because they accidentally strangled themselves.