Girlfriend Wants A Boxer

[tigerlady]

Hello,

I've been visiting this site for years and enjoy all the pictures. My girlfriend of 6 months is wanting to buy a Boxer puppy very soon. I previously owned a female boxer "Lady" (now 2 1/2 yrs old) but gave her to my roomate when I had to move for several reasons.

1) I had to move b/c my roomate was getting married.
2) He owned a male boxer "Tiger" about 1 year older than "Lady." - They are spayed and nuetered.
3) We didn't want to split the dogs up.
4) My ex-roomate and Wife have more time to spend with the dogs than I do because of my work schedule.

My girlfriend has been wanting to get a boxer since we first met, but I've read most reputable breeders will not breed during the X-mas holidays. Bad timing I suppose. I have more reservations about buying a boxer right now b/c she is in grad school 300 miles away from me. Personally, I think it helps to have at least two people raise a dog....or any animal for that matter. It is an akward situation b/c my girlfriend and I are not married nor engaged.

Anyways, I've had it in my head that I'd own 2 boxers once I had a wife b/c raising dogs is a huge comitment. This dog could eventually be "ours." I would like for her to hold off purchasing a dog right now, but she is ready and has been calling breeders all day and she is ready to pick one up this weekend. Wish me luck!

 

[crowpete]

Welcome to BW Happy to have you with us!

I hope she is getting a dog for the right reasons Best of luck!

 

[Slobberchops]

Hi and welcome from Waldo and us
Also hope your girlfriend is getting a Boxer for the right reasons,will she have time to devote to it with studying too?

 

[tigerlady]

Mixed Feelings

I know her intentions are good and she will have plenty of time to outside of school to raise a happy and healthy boxer. She runs and walks frequently already so I'm not worried about that part.

I love my girlfriend, but she often commits to too many things. Her agenda is in a constant state of flux. She currently owns a cat which doesn't demand nor need nearly as much attention as a dog. She has the freedom to clean the litter box, provide plenty of food and water and disappear for a day.

When she's gone for longer than that she normally employs one of her friends or family members to take care of the cat. While there is nothing wrong with that, it is burdensome on the one taking responsibility, even for a self sufficient cat. I'm not sure those same people will be as accomadating to bring in a dog in addition to her cat.

I've explained ad nausem that she will no longer have that much freedom. She say's she realizes that there is a big difference between a dog and a cat, but I'm not as confident as she is. Maybe she wants a dog as a campanion and grounding force though and has not comunicated that to me yet.

I'm also concerned about her disclipining methods. I'm afraid she will treat the dog like she would a human. I'm afraid that in lieu of correcting behavioral problems she will make excuses in fear of hurting the dogs feelings (or something like that).

In short, I'd be far less aprehensive about the situation if I could raise the dog with her. I think she can make a great boxer owner but I know she will have to change her lifestyle in order to do so.

 

[RolenKisses]

Hello from Illinois and Welcome! Good Luck!
Owning a boxer is a full time job, hopefully your girlfriend is weighing the positives and negatives of owning a boxer at this time!

 

[zomo]

Hi and welcome from Zoe Melvin and I. Hope you find the answers you want.

 

[Aasha]

Welcome to BW from Aasha and I!

 

[gary766]

Hello from Astro, Kelly and I!!!

 

[SaskiaTas]

Hello from Michigan!

I also had concerns about getting a dog, because my husband had never owned one. I made sure he watched LOTS of episodes of Ceasar Milan's 'Dog Whisperer' before deciding it was the right time for us to get a dog. Would it be possible for you to get your GF a DVD of his shows? (I think they have Season 1 and 2 available.) They aren't so much for training the basics (sit/stay/etc...) as for keeping in mind that a dog's needs are not the same as a person's needs. It was really helpful to DH to see WHY dogs need to have a firm voice sometimes, socialization, and exercise. Once he realized that the dog is happier being a dog, he was totally on board.

Welcome to the forums!

 

[tigerlady]

Thanks for the warm welcomes everyone

Well, on Sunday it will be official. $200 deposit has been paid. I'll post pictures soon. My GF picked out a beautiful female flashy fawn similar to my "Lady." The white wraps all the way around her neck. She's definately got a great paint job.

BTW, we're leaning towards naming her Laya (short for Jumbalaya). We're planning on getting a male sometime in the future and naming him Bo (short for Gumbo). Thoughts?