New Puppy. A couple questions.

[smoothmann]

Thanks KonaKoffe!

I've already made a schedule with the vet for vaccines and wormer. I also forgot to say that the Hospital did a fecal test for parasites, and NONE FOUND. Among all the other problems, I was excited about that.

Thats what I thought too. The other problems arent very big. Earmites are a fixable problem. Like I said, I was born with a severe heart murmur that kept me in the hospital for almost a year after I was born, and here I am today, healthy as ever with no problems. I know humans and puppies are different, but...I just look at it like, if I lived even when the doctors said I wouldnt, Im sure my baby Jax will pull through.

As you said. I cant change what happened now. Its not like I can take Jax 6 hours away and put him back with his siblings. I just have to help him adjust. I truly believe that he is in better hands with me than them anyways.

Thanks

 

[KonaKoffe]

Thanks KonaKoffe!

I've already made a schedule with the vet for vaccines and wormer. I also forgot to say that the Hospital did a fecal test for parasites, and NONE FOUND. Among all the other problems, I was excited about that.

Just something to aske the vet. I am not sure if the worms would show up at 6 weeks already. It takes some time. They possibly get them passed from the mother -she can be a carrier but not show symptoms - I believe. Our vet went by the Center for Disease control (CDC) recommendations and dewormed Kona every two weeks regardless ( everytime we brought her in for a vac.) until she got the rabies vac.

And, for what it is worth, many of us have brought our babies home before 8 weeks because many of us have also bought from irresponsible breeders
Kona was 7 weeks 3 days when we got her (she's 10 months now). The breeder said she would keep her for the full 8 weeks ( when I questioned her) but she said everyone else in the litter was going sooner so it would really do her no good for the breeder to keep her without her litter mates anyways. Given the choice, I would rather she bond with us than the breeder and her small kids anyways. Some states (countries ???) require the owners to keep the pups until 8 weeks - some don't. I talked to my vet and he said they can physically leave the mother at 6 weeks. From my research it seems that they get the benefit of additional mental development when they stay longer with their littermates.

 

[ging04]

Smoothmann-

I'm new to this site too and i wanted to tell you that the people that are regularly on here and give the best advice can come off a bit harsh. I just wanted to let you know. They do give GREAT advice but are not concerned about your feelings when they do (which in most cases shouldn't anyway) I just wanted to let you know b/c you said somthing about letting people down but don't worry there are a lot of people on here (myself included) that don't know the most basic things...like getting your puppy at 6 weeks is such a horrible time. I got Oscar a week ago yesterday and he was exactly 6 weeks. He is doing a lot better than I could ever expect. I was really scared b/c after talking to the folks on here I thought I had made the biggest mistake of his life. I've only had him a week but he is doing just great. I really just wanted to let you know that no one sugar coats anything on here. Everyone is die hard boxer and you'll find it takes some getting used to but is better in the long run. You get some really good information.

I read a post from a woman who thought she was being attacked by everyone and while reading I thought she was too but after a while you will learn that everyone on here just wants the best for you and especially your boxer....anyway just wanted to let you know.

 

[smoothmann]

Good info Ging and KonaKoffe.

Ging, I'm sure youre right. I'll just have to get used to it, and mark it off as compassionate constructive criticism. Thanks guys.

 

[jenjones28]

Smoothman, I would just take things as they come up. Hopefully your little one will outgrow his heart murmur. Bindi had one when she was little and outgrew it just fine. From what I understand, the undescended testicle probably won't really be a problem unless you weren't planning on having him neutered anyway (and for health reasons you really should have him neutered). The sleeping all the time is very normal. My advice? Enjoy it now because it won't last!!!

One of the things I would try to look into is some kind of puppy kindergarten if you can find something like that near you. It would be awesome for your puppy! Congratulations on your puppy, and welcome to BW!!

 

[Maxwell's Ma]

Smoothman,
Congratulations on your new guy!! Oh the smell of puppy breath. Everyone here wants you and your baby to have the best life ever. I got Maxwell at 7 1/2 weeks and he still had problems with biting. They learn bite inhabition from their litter mates and parents. Anyway, it has taken us lots of time, patience and persistance to get Maxwell over the biting. He still reverts to it on occassion when he gets excited while playing.

We had to ignore him and not play with him when he would bite. Also, we screeched Och very loud and pretended to be hurt. Another thing we did was redirect him. Whenever he would bite we would say no bite and give him a toy.

All in all you can overcome some of the problems you have talked about. Again, I love those puppies laying on me and sleeping. Nothing like puppie kisses.

 

[BeckyNC]

Smoothman--Congrats on your new pup! Sounds like the little guy does come with a little baggage, but it's nothing to panic about and appears you aren't panicing anyhow! You seem to be approaching parenthood with a wonderful attitude. I bet this little guy's a lucky fellow.

There are a couple reasons it's ideal to get a pup from a reputable breeder. Among those, a reputable breeder health tests so the chances your pup will have health problems are much lower. Additionally, reputable breeders usually show their dogs and therefore breed in order to better the Boxer breed. That said, I think 95% of people (my guess) looking to buy a dog know nothing about "reputable" vs. "back yard" breeders. I sure as heck didn't and I know many others who don't. All of this said, I adopted Tae through rescue, which is essentially taking pot luck! I later found out she was the product of a BYB and she went "home" at 6 weeks. Thankfully, she has great bite inhibition (something pups usually learn from their littermates between 6-8 weeks).

We all look forward to stories about little Jaxon as he begins to explore his new home.

 

[smoothmann]

You seem to be approaching parenthood with a wonderful attitude. I bet this little guy's a lucky fellow

That was really nice of you to say. Thanks! But yes....No matter the problems..I waited years since my first boxer died. I've been so anxious since August to get him. I'm completely optimistic about everything, and I know things will work out ok.


The rest of the story..........

I decided in August I was going to find me a boxer puppy. I found a pretty reputable breeder about 6 hours away from my home. I paid the money up front, about 2 months before the litter in the white mommy were due. Mind you, this white boxer mommy was directly owned by the breeder I paid money too.

The time comes for her to have the litter...and shes still barely showing pregnancy. This breeder gives me the option to get the first pick out of another litter. In this second litter....her fawn male boxer bred with a fawn female boxer from another family. Now...when she had the babies...they were at the second house.

The breeder I went through tells me she will never do business with this other family anymore. Since this time was so awful. They were never home so my breeder could collect pictures to send me.

The breeder and her husband that I had the initial contact with, were good boxer loving people. They even have a fully customized van they transport them in, when they make sales, with boxer pictures on the van and everything. Very sweet couple, and til this day, they still do everything to try to help me and my baby. The problem was with this second family that had the pregnant female fawnie.

I guess it couldve been my fault. Because I paid for Jax 2 months in advance, and when she told me the white mommy was having birth problems, I got even more anxious, and took the first chance I was given. I'm still glad I did, because Jax is amazing!

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[leeshie45]

I decided in August I was going to find me a boxer puppy. I found a pretty reputable breeder about 6 hours away from my home. I paid the money up front, about 2 months before the litter in the white mommy were due. Mind you, this white boxer mommy was directly owned by the breeder I paid money too.

Not sure if I did that quote right, but I'm completely confused... :confused:

you were going to or did buy the puppy from a white boxer?

I could be dopey right now, sorry if I'm not understanding...

 

[StormKatz]

Since I can only assume it is my post being referenced I just wanted to say to all of those that found my post harsh (& to Smoothman) if I hurt anyones feelings.... I apoligize, as that was not my intention.

However I will not apoligize for having my opinion. Yes, many of us (myself included) have purchased puppies from irresposible breeders, however is doesn't change that fact that it is a mistake & can be a recipe for disaster.
It is only supporting those (as we have discussed a million times here) that are destroying our amazing breed.

In my opinion education is the key to stopping BYB's, Puppymills, & Iresposible breeding, which was partly the point of my post. I'm sorry but I personally find the issues this poor puppy has (possibly has) to be a major concern, & I refuse to sugar coat the facts as that does nothing to educate.

To Smoothman, again I am very sorry if I offended you, being from Kentucky myself, I totally understand how difficult it is to find reputable Boxer breeders. I genuinly wish you the absolute best of luck with your new baby, & please know that my boys & myself are sending him the warmest vibes, & tons of Boxer slobbers.