My first boxer

[MishMe]

Hello
We are soon to be first time boxer owners!! His name is Truman and is now 6 weeks old. We have two more weeks to prepare and are very excited!! I have so many questions but I will try to be brief.
What size crate should I get? Should I expect to use the crate just while he is a pup or should I make sure I get a very big one to use for many years? And should I crate him in the bedroom with us? I read that since dogs are pack animals, they do best when sleeping with their pack(us). Is this true or will this make it harder for him to get used to his crate?
Also, I am concerned about which food to feed, I have narrowed it down to IAMS or EKANUBA(sp?). Does anyone have any recommendations? I am kind of leaning toward the EKANUBA because they offer a special large breed food.
Geez, I feel sort of silly asking all of these questions but neither of has owned a dog as an adult, only had family dogs as children. And honestly I have put a lot of thought and consideration into the breed and owning a dog. I want to everything right! I'm already enrolled in puppy kidergarten. Is 9-10 weeks to early to start training? The trainer said no but she wanted to make a sale also.
One last question, I have 2 cats. Puppy, cats and us all MUST get along. Any animal I bring into my home is here for life, things just "wont work out" and someone is disposed of, like too many unresponsible pet owner do. Also, my one cat is very sensitive and will spray if she is feeling neglected, is it ok to have her be the ALPHA pet in the house? To be the first fed and greeted? Or is that too hard for a dog to accept?
This is a great site and has been very informative!!
Thanks!!

 

[Nifftea]

Hi and welcome to the Boxerboard. I love this site. Don't know all the answers to your questions, but trust me, there are those here that do! It is a great sounding board when you are uncertain about something to do with your dog/dogs. I have a large crate but have two puppies in mine. I bought the large because my puppies are large at 3 months. I am hoping by the time they get too big for both of them to sleep in the crate they will be completely housebroken. Fingers crossed anyway. Food is a matter of preference, my puppies were on Iam's when I bought them and I switched them to NutroMax. Ask your breeder, you won't want to switch him over all at one time, it has to be done slowly or his tummy will get upset and you will be cleaning up lots of messes! Where you put the crate is up to you. Mine didn't go through the whining because they had each other for comfort. Can't help you on the cat problem, don't have any.
Good luck with Truman!

 

[Linda]

Welcome to the board!

Welcome and congratulations on the upcoming arrival of Truman!!

I'll throw in my opinion...
My first 2 boxers were never crated. I didn't get a crate for Bailey until she was about 3 months old. I got the size that is recommended for boxers. However, my older, bigger, male, Remy won't fit in it. :p
We have the plastic airline-type crate. I like it. However, I seem to be in the minority. This question was asked before and most people prefer the metal cage-like crate.

The crate should be big enough for the pup/dog to go in, and turn around. Any bigger, and puppy will use one end for a potty and one end to sleep in. Lots of people recommend the big crate and then section it off for puppy until he grows. Others start with a small crate and move up. It really probably depends on your budget.

As far as food, you should keep Truman on whatever the breeder is currently feeding him. I'd probably keep him on it for a couple months, then if you want to switch, do it very gradually. Feed the same amount, but start adding a little of the new food to the old, increasing the amount of new food each day until he's eating 100% of the new kind. Lots of pet food companies say to do it in 3 days, but I think that's way too quick. I'd say more like 10-14 days.

I am so happy to hear someone so dedicated and determined to make things work with your pets!! :D I think with Truman being a puppy, he will learn how (and how not) to interact with the cats. Be sure that the cats have a place to retreat where Truman is not allowed. Most likely he will want to play with them more than they want to play with him.

I don't know about 9-10 weeks for puppy kindergarten. A training book I'm reading says that's great to start early and Puppy K is more for socialization. However, I've heard more often that a puppy should not be around other dogs until he's received his full round of immunizations (usually not until like 5 mos. old). Remember that EVERY single interaction you have with your puppy is teaching and training him.

Good luck. And remember to have fun! Puppyhood only comes once. Enjoy it!