New Baby Boxer Mom X 11 Days

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spcanturn

Boxer Pal
Our family has a new addition. Her name is Ollie. She is a tan with a black muzzle and 3 white paws. She has the cute wrinkles on her face.
In the past we had toy dogs. This time we wanted a mid to large pet. After reserching we decided on a boxer. She is 2 days away from 9 weeks old.
Becase of a boxer's documented reputaion for chewing, we have decided to crate traine her. She is never left in a room by herself. Two rooms in the house are off limits to her. There is no need for her to go into the living room, ever. The family room is full of leather furniture and for now it's off limits to her.
Ollie came home on Sept.5th and we are making great progress. She alrady knows her potty area in the yard. She has learned to come and sit to the sound of a bell and her name. (with the help of a liver treat).
We have been working hard on the nipping when she plays. She tends to puppy play bite with my 10 year old (who is the youngest) more so then anyone else.
I have writen out some rules that are to be followed by everyone in the house. My son thinks it's too much and i'm over doing it.
I would like to list my rules. If the more expirenced boxer owner can tell me what they think, I would appriciate it.

1. No one is EVER to feed her humen food. She is only to eat a dog treat or food in her dog bowl.
2. I do not want anyone playing tug of war or making her growl.
3. Once she is put in her crate and if she criess to get out, no one is to take her out.
4. She is to chew on toys that belong to her. She is NEVER to chew on any thing else, even if it's an old shoe that needs to go in the trash.
5. She is never to sleep in the beds. (I broke this rule the first night and it has now been removed from the list).

Ollie is awsome. She is smart and full of energy. I want her to be well behaved and healthy.
We are going to start puppy classes soon.
Thank you for reading about Ollie. I can talk about her for hours. She is so cool. Please tell me what you think
Sylvia
 

spcanturn

Boxer Pal
Thank You

Thank you Cathy, for the welcome. I have been reading the postings on this site for few weeks. Its nice to know that new puppy moms are having some of the same issues I am.
 
I have to say the "Tug of War" rule is one that I do not use. It's one of our favorite games. I did wait until both Charlie and Emma were older before I began playing tug of war with them. They both know its a GAME. They never get TOO aggressive and when I say "Drop it" they know the game is over.

The one thing I always do is WIN THE GAME. I want to make sure they know I'm the dominant one. ;)

I do allow the dogs on the bed to lay with me, but at lights out they go to their own beds for the night. There's nothing like having a 70lb. fur-kid as a snuggle buddy, especially on a cold, winter night. :)
 

spcanturn

Boxer Pal
Winning tug of war.

Winning the tug of war game sounds like a good idea. When she is older Ill let the kids play tug of war and ill keep that in mind. I think she needs to get older first and learn who is boss.

Dont you think a puppy needs to learn that growling, nipping and keeping something from you is wrong?

How old are your boxers?
 
I think you're right about the growling and ripping, that's why I waited until Charlie & Emma were older before we started playing the rough games.

Charlie's about 2 yrs & 9 months old
Emma's about 9 months old

Just remember that the "Drop it" command is very important. It lets the dogs know to stop playing and release the rope, ball, or whatever they happen to have in their mouth. One other thing, you have to set limits. When you're playing rough someone is bound to get hurt eventually. Charlie & Emma have unintentionally nipped me sometimes when we're playing rough. At those times I say, "OWWW! NO BITE!" They soon learn how to play without getting TOO rough and we all have lots of fun. :)
 
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Welcome to BW :)

Well....personally, Toffee is allowed on the bed. And I've played tug-of-war with her since she was little and it has never caused any problems. Sometimes she wins, sometimes I do. But she learned the "drop" command right away. Tof and I also wrestle (and she growls), but she knows when I say "enough" that is it and she stops and gives me kisses. But when I started doing that with her, I always "won" the game and finished with her pinned. Some people might disagree..... no problems with her though and she knows I am the boss. People food.... she gets ice cream from the Dairy Queen. And I know some people on the board give their dogs veggies as treats.

Oh, and as far your leather furniture.... I've had leather furniture since I brought Tof home, and it is in beautiful condition. Her access to it was not limited, though she isn't actually allowed up on it--she is certainly in the room that it is in. In fact, my brother's leather furniture has been destroyed by his cats, and mine is in great condition!

Sounds like you've been doing a lot of reading, though, and you'll find a ton of info here at BW too. Welcome!

BTW, Toffee is 4 now.
 
Welcome to the boards and congradulations on the new baby. :)

It sounds like you are getting off to a good start with Ollie. One thing I will ad is that some boxers a VERY VOCAL when playing and it is part of the way the comunicate and enjoy themselves. I personaly would not discourage vocal play or even a playfull growl, but make sure that you know the differance and correct anything that sems to aggressive.

Here are a few rules most of us Boxer owners go by:
Dog Rules

1. Dogs are never permitted in the house. The dog stays outside in a specially built wooden compartment named, for very good reason, the dog house.

2. Okay, the dog can enter the house, but only for short visits or if his own house is under renovation.

3. Okay, the dog can stay in the house on a permanent basis, provided his dog house can be sold in a yard sale to a rookie dog owner.

4. Inside the house, the dog is not allowed to run free and is confined to a comfortable but secure metal cage.

5. Okay, the cage becomes part of a two-for-one deal along with the dog house in the yard sale, and the dog can go wherever the hell he pleases.

6. The dog is never allowed on the furniture.

7. Okay, the dog can get on the old furniture but not the new furniture.

8. Okay, the dog can get up on the new furniture until it looks like the old furniture and then we'll sell the whole damn works and buy new furniture...upon which the dog will most definitely not be allowed.

9. The dog never sleeps on the bed. Period.

10. Okay, the dog can sleep at the foot of the bed.

11. Okay, the dog can sleep alongside you, but he's not allowed under the covers.

12. Okay, the dog can sleep under the covers but not with his head on the pillow.

13. Okay, the dog can sleep alongside you under the covers with his head on the pillow, but if he snores he's got to leave the room.

14. Okay, the dog can sleep and snore and have nightmares in bed, but he's not to come in and sleep on the couch in the TV room, where I'm now sleeping. That's just not fair.

15. The dog never gets listed on the census questionnaire as "primary resident," even if it's true.


Enjoy your new baby! :LOL:
 

spcanturn

Boxer Pal
thank you everyone

Thanks for all of your input

Can I ask what is your opinion on clipping the ears on a boxer. My son thinks I they need to be clipped. I like them long, silky and floppy.
The breeder said that Ollie would be fine if her ears were left the way the are.
 
If your not planning on showing your dog there is no need to crop the ears. but if you like the look there is also no reason it can't be done (I am pro-choice ;) ). But in saying that there can be up too a year of after care and no guarentee that they will stand. Also you must be carefull when choosing a vet to do a crop, as some will do a short fighting crop because that is all the know how to do rather then then longer more tapered crop such as my Cookie has. One other thing is to make sure that when ever your baby needs to be sedated for surgery they must NEVER NEVER EVER use ACE ! Please read the link and you can also do a search here at BW for further information.

PS goinginsane,
I copied and pasted that from an old BW thread

Jennifer & Cookie Monster
 
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