Hello,New to Boxers

[NitroBox]

Hello,My name is Dwayne.I am married with a 8 year old boy.I have had German shepherds all my youth years .Had 1 Doberman and 1 Pit bull.Always outside dogs,So I said I would never own another dog until I had my own home ,So I could have it House dog.I have been wanting one for some time ,But the price of them are so high for me having motgage and such has been hard to save to get one.
A friend of mine bought a AKC reg. Boxer,was not ready for a dog only had it for 2 months,He had about $900.00 in him,He became so mad at him for just being a playful boy that he is,And dog would not respond to him after getting beat on by him,He just gave him to me for free,I have had him for 3 weeks now,And he has really changed !Gained weight(i would say about 8 lbs because I no longer see his ribs showing bad) , He is eating about 1 1/2 cups of food 3 times a dayplus a few treats at learning time),Just from being taking care of properly and loved and gattered to with nothing but affection,He is 7 mo. and 1 week old and weighs 52lbs.(Is this a good weight and what will be his max weight fully grown,A heathly weight?)and has learned "VERY" much in a short period of time such as (Sit,Stay,laydown,kisses,hug,speak,growl,whimper,No,come,night-night,bye-bye,all his toy names and our names,Out to potty,shake left and right ,down if he jumps up,up to get him up to you,Jump.,Eat,Treat,Listen-meaning go to window or just become very aleart and listen in general and watch people,and watch em -meaning go to window and growl at them or if I leave my wife in the car to go into the store,He protects her by doing this,Want to wrestle meaning me and him playing rough and bath and brush your teeth.The only thing the guy said he knew how to do was sit and speak for food when I got him
9I had him show me what he knew).But with love and affection and treats and time he has really came around greatly.
I feed him Nutro for large breed puppy's and yogurt and so forth added.Just came from the vet,She said he looks very very good.
Enough bragging I guess,I am just so pleased with this dog,Just can not say enough about him.
Ears are not trimmed-do not plan to cut them,But Vet recommended neutering for prostate cancer and colon cancer prevention,Would like some opinions on that please.
Trying to read up on this breed to see what to look for as far as hereditary issues to look for.
And any ideas on how to keep him out of our flower pots.
And any basic behavior traits I will have to deal with with this breed of dog.
Wish I had a ditigital camera to show him off,He is a very sharp Fawn boxer with nice makerings.
I am new to this forum so I hope I am not posting some things in the wrong section,So bare with me please
Thanks everyone for your time and hope for some good suggestions,

 

[SammynDqtz]

Hi and welcome... It was really great that you were able to give that boxer a new, loving home. Sounds like one great boxer boy.
He sounds like a good weight to me. I would probably go with what your vet said and have him neutered. To keep him out of flower pots, you could try putting rocks or pine cones around the plant. Hope that helps... good luck!

 

[lgam70]

Congratulations

Sounds like you have a WONDERFUL new family member. I have a male and female Jeff is almost 2 and Reba almost 1.
Boxers are the most wonderful breed of dog to own, well to me, but I have had Boxers all my life. Best childrens dog around. We got both of ours when they were 8 weeks old. The only thing I can tell you about the pots is patience. I planted my gardens in the back yard and bushes. We have a fenced yard and they have a dog door. Needless to say Jeff decided his back yard needed no bushes or plants. He just pulled them up. As far as behavior he learned the sit, stay, lay, talk, watch, roll over, play dead, growl, we worked with him nightly and he was 10 weeks with this on his list. They learn extremely fast and will do anything for you to return your love. The only way I kept him out of my flowers and bushes was to put some black pepper around them. I felt awful but after he sneezed he didn't go back to them. Until after he was one he was really into taking shoes out, not chewing them, just seemed to be telling me I needed to walk outside to get them. Reba is doing exactly the same things Jeff did at her age. I have a few pictures posted on here they are under Duke. I have not been able to post Reba because it is not letting me upload them. Officially Duke Jefferson Davis but Jeff has stuck. There have been no major problems except Jeff has allergies and we have to give him benedryl and put cream in his eyes. Vet says it's because he has white around one of his eyes it makes him more prone to allergies. Their is a book called Boxers for Dummies and it has lots of good stuff in their about the breed. It says in the beginning WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BEING OWNED BY A BOXER! Which is pretty much true because they are clowns. I hope this has helped some and hopefully will have more pics soon on here. Oh by the way my favorite thing is to watch them play. They jump from standstill and run like the tails are on fire and just stop and look at you like they have done the greatest thing in the world..it is so funny.

 

[lgam70]

Just wanted to reply after reading about the pine cones. I tried that and rocks and putting my rose bush next to the bushes (which he pulled the rose bush too!) My vet said it would not hurt him just make him stay out of it. It worked but it sounds so cruel.

 

[NitroBox]

Just wanted to so thanks for the warm welcome to the forum from everybody,And the great sggestions.I had to put pepper in the front yard once just because moma wanted the doggs to po out back,I felt horrable about it but it worked,I don't know if my wife will let me do that but I will try it.
Well I have to go Nitro it coming in hear barking and tugging on me and then running on the bed and barking I think he is ready for bed.
Thanks for all the help,Will be on here daily to talk about the greatest dog I have incountered in my life.
Thanks everyone and good night.
Dwayne

 

[maynegirl4]

Hi & welcome to you and Nitro. Congrats on your puppy. Sounds like he's very smart, and sounds like he's one lucky boy that you took him under your wing.

Mary & Maggie

 

[Gus’s Mom]

Hello and welcome to BW!

Linda & Murray

 

[Draymia]

Hi and welcome to BW,

You will find this site full of fun and valuable information.

Neutering him is the right thing to do. It will make him a nicer and healthier dog to live with. I recomend my puppy buyers wait to have the boys neutered at around 12 months.

 

[bustermom]

Wow! You are one awesome guy for taking in Nitro! appicon

He sounds like a classic boxer - full of energy, mischief and love. Luckily for him he found someone that realizes just how smart these furry guys really are - most boxers will do anything for a treat!

I think you've experienced almost all the basic behavior traits already - just expect more of the same! When he hits adolosence (9 months - 1 year), he may start pushing his limits a bit, but that's just like any teenager. Sounds like you're doing a great job - just keep doing what you've been doing.

Neutering is definitely the way to go. It's healthier for the dog in so many ways - less cancer risk, no wandering off to track down females in heat, less prone to fight with other dogs, etc.

If you were going to crop his ears, 14 weeks old is the absolute latest you could have done it. After that, the cartilage is already hardened and formed and there would be little chance of them standing properly, or at all.

Good luck with Nitro!

 

[abbeyrd4u]

Welcome...I bet your friend wishes he had him back now.
Sounds like you and Nitro are having a blast...glad that Nitro found such a great dad.
Abbey's mom