I Need Help!!!

[ebrill]

Hi Everyone...

I'm pretty new to the boards here, and i've been having a good time looking around. I have had several boxers in my life, but it was when i was a bit younger.

My wife and i have been looking to adopt a boxer in Oregon, and we may have found one. We're going to meet Cloe tomorrow night, and i'm in a bit of a panic. We don't have anything ready. Cloe just appeared at a local rescue.

We live in a townhouse without a yard. I am going to take the dog into my work whenever i can during the day, but it's safe to say that she will be at home most of the time when we're at work. We have a 2 car garage that she will be staying in and will be the only pet. We are in the Portland, Oregon area, so it doesnt usually get too cold here during the day, but i want to make sure she is comfortable. Any recommendations on how to keep her happy in the garage?

We literally have nothing for a dog, as we haven't been looking for too long. Any other advice would be fantastic!!!

Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

[TarinLynn]

I think a bed and some blankets are a must. Some indestrutable toys like a kong. Are you expecting the pup to use the bathroom in the garage? maybe some newspaper for the to use the bathroom on. And some water. I'm no expert but thats what I would do!

 

[FletchersMom]

Can I ask why you are going to put Chloe in the garage? that isn't a great idea. Even if it seems warm enough to you, boxers have very little fur to cover their skin and the floor of a garage isn't the warmest thing around. What about crating? until we got to a point where Fletcher could be trusted in the house we crated him in the living room when we were gone. We gave him a kong stuffed with a treat and left the TV on for him and he was fine. Please rethink the garage thing

 

[DantesDad]

the garage idea worries me a little, I would invest in a crate. Get a good bed, stainless steel dishes, some good toys, treats and food. Dont forget some shampoo, leash, collar and nametag. Let us know how it goes!!

 

[tab_b]

I have to agree with everyone else - I'm not sure the garage is the best place for Cloe. Try to find a good crate for her, where she'll be able to see her house and be comfortable all day.

As far as everything else, you'll need a leash, new collar (she's starting over, after all! ), a good shampoo - this is just me, but I'd give her a bath - some toys (everyone here seems to love the Kongs), and a special blanket that will be hers.

Good luck! I can't wait to see pictures of her!

 

[LilygirlCO]

I also agree the garage thing isn't a good idea at all. As well as the reasons mentioned above, boxers get really bored and love to find things that will make great toys and a garage is full of dangerous items. Not to mention boxers are smart and once they figure out how the garage door opens (by the touch of a button) its all over from there.

I live in an apartment with two boxers and they get along just fine being left alone. They are either crated or locked in the kitchen when left home alone with toys that I rotate out everyday and if they are left for over 5hrs, then I leave them each with a large raw bone. This system has worked out great for us. Oh, and those walks are key everyday! We live in Colorado and didn't get them walked for a few days because of the blizzards and large amounts of snow we're having and they got major cabin fever and start getting destructive.

 

[ebrill]

Thanks for the replies everyone!!! Obviously, we need to rethink the crating thing. I've never had to crate a dog, and i just feel bad about doing that. Obviously, that's just inexperience talking.

So, should we just get the biggest crate they have? In the crate, i'm assuming they have water, toys and blankets/bed. Anything else? Do you give them their food in the crate?

I have to admit, something wasn't feeling right about the garage to me, so i'm glad that everyone got on me quickly for it!!!

We'll definitely be walking her a lot. Like i said, i'm going to bring her to work with me as much as i can, but she'll be at home for 8 hours when i can't bring her with me.

Thanks so much for the advice - i'll keep you all posted.

 

[ebrill]

By the way, i misspelled her name in my original post, it's Cleo, not Cloe. Sorry about that.

Here is a link to her profile - SO CUTE!!!
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7737869

 

[FletchersMom]

First off - kudos to you for rescuing an older dog!!! she is adorable!!! Secondly, it seems that she does well in a crate so give her some bedding, definitely invest in a kong. Fletcher likes his stuffed best with either peanut butter or frozen yogurt. I also bought these things at petsmart called Crate Crocks. They are stainless steel dishes that attach to the crate for drinking water or food. As far as the size of crate, you don't want one that is too big. The general rule is big enough to stand up turn around and lie down. I would also suggest renting out some books on dogs from your local library if it's been awhle for you Thank you so much for rethinking the garage thing, that wouldn't have been right.

 

[boxercisco]

Garage NOT a good idea!

When I first got Cisco, I also made the garage his little home while I was at work. I did not know best, he was my first dog ever! Anyway, he became very destructive in there and later grew to be very aggressive. I had to send him to a professional trainer to help me with his aggression. He told me his living enviroment (the garage) was a big part of his aggressive behavior.

With much training to rehabilitate him back to a normal dog, I bought him a crate. It worked wonders!! I would leave him in the crate, inside the house, with a few toys and a tv on. He was comfortable knowing that he was inside the house where we humans live and I think he felt that he was now a part of the family.

Cisco now runs loose in the house all day and does not destroy anything or do his business until I get home. He is a great dog.

Now I have Leila, who just turned 10 months. She is crated all day until I get home. She listens to the tv and sees Cisco loose in the house. She really enjoys being in there until I get home. She is going towards the right direction!!