Nned a home for my baby

[zoeys]

We have a 10 month old female boxer. She is a good dog, but we just dont have enough time to spend with her. She gets bored and gets into things, and I just cant keep her in our house. When we first got her, we lived in New Orleans in a house with a big back yard, and a room that she could stay in during the day. She was only 8-9 weeks old when the hurricane came through and we had to leave. So, now our situation is different, we have relocated to Phoenix, and I just dont have what she needs. If anyone is here in Phoenix, or knows of a good rescue here, please let me know. I was hoping it wouldnt come to this. The main thing she does when she is bored is dig up my bulbs and take anything she can off the coffee table (tv remote, telephone, books etc) If there are any suggestions to this, please share them.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Roxy Lucille]

Hi Zoey

Hey there. Sorry to hear about your situation. It's always sad when you have to make a lifestyle change and it doesn't turn out the best situation for your furbaby. I hope that you find a rescue near you or someone to help you out w/your lil girl. Keep us posted.

Also... you need to post an intro in the Introduction forum... Part of the rules.

 

[KonaKoffe]

Here's a link to the boxer rescue in your area

http://arizonaboxerrescue.org/water/default.asp?x=1&DID=1320

 

[Jill's boxer]

Honestly, this does not sound like a "problem dog" in any way...the only problem I see is that she needs more attention and exercise. I don't mean to sound harsh--but did you not expect to have to exercise or work with her when you got her? It sounds as if she is just plain bored and needs more exercise! Boxers do have alot of energy and will start to find ways to entertain themselves if you do not provide distractions and exercise for them. I would start adding more walks and playtime to her daily routine--a good brisk walk in the morning before you leave for work would help greatly, at a bare minimum and then be sure to take her out for some playtime when you return. It may mean setting that alarm clock about 30-45 minutes earlier but thats a small price to pay for a well-behaved, happy dog. A tired boxer is a good boxer! as the saying goes. Provide some stimulation for her when she is outside as well to curb her digging. I got a kiddie pool for Gracie and made a tether ball for her to play with and also a digging pit--give her things that are okay to play hard with to burn off the energy and she will be less likely to go after "bad things".

Another option is to find a doggie daycare in your area where perhaps she could spend a few afternoons to help relieve her boredom and burn energy.

 

[Net45582]

This may sound harsh,but what's more important? ..your flower bulbs or providing a loving home to a living creature you adopted? All homes need to be "puppy proofed" when it comes to putting things out of reach. It sounds to me more like you don't want to take the time to train your puppy to grow into a loving member of the family. Please reconsider your priorities...if you honestly feel you don't love this pup enough to give it time,love and training it requires and deserves then find a rescue who can find a proper forever home.

 

[courtney323]

zoeys -

You need to post your Introduction. This is required of all new members, and should have actually been your very first post

www.boxerworld.com/rules

 

[rog1006]

The main thing she does when she is bored is dig up my bulbs and take anything she can off the coffee table (tv remote, telephone, books etc) If there are any suggestions to this, please share them.

Thanks so much!!!

WOW! Sounds pretty much like a normal, young boxer. If you're serious about working with her a few very minor adjustments to your home should fix these "problems". If you don't want to work with her, we have many families that would like a "problem dog" like her...go to our web site, fill out the surrender and fax it in. We're the Boxer Rescue here in Phoenix and we can place her. BTW- it's hitting over 100 degrees here...I hope you don't have her outside....very dangerous for Boxers to be in this heat. :(

 

[Sara&Travis]

My bathroom looks like noone even lives there. I deal with the realization that the TP is in the closet out of reach after I sit down to "potty." My kitchen counters are pretty much bare. I don't have anything on my living room table or my dining room table. Trust, me... we all know how you feel from time to time! But isn't it all worth it?? Think about that little butt wiggling! If she could talk, I think she'd ask that you please not give up on her. She's still a BABY! She does sound very, very normal to me. Just sounds like she does need more exercise. Think about how healthy it is for you, too!

 

[MeAndMaggieM]

Crate Training!!

I agree with everyone, but also consider crate training and puppy kindergarten! Some people think that crating a dog is cruel but they are den animals and with positive reinforcement and lots of praise you'll have a happy, well adjusted puppy! I trained Maggie in three days and, though she'd rather be sleeping on the couch, she is very good about her crate and NEVER messes in it or barks. She's a chewer and a fence jumper (that's why she was abandoned in the first place) so she can't be left out all day. I get to keep my baby and she gets to have a happy, loving home rather then being dumped at the rescue again. Also, as rog1006 mentioned, Boxers are NOT outdoor dogs and the heat will kill her (literally).

Training is also an essential part of a young pup's life and if you don't start now you'll have more problems in the future. It will also socialize her and give her some playtime to poop her out! Take her to a dog park or arrange playdates for the weekend (see Boxer Bash forum) for more exercise.

If you can't be troubled to give her the kind of home she needs and deserves then by all means find someone who will. I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to take the time and make the sacrifice to do what's best for the baby.

 

[rmcbrair]

Yup - totally normal stuff for a young Boxer. Mine is 1-1/2 now, and I was just this week told that I needed to increase her exercise although I already do a lot with her. A treadmill was one of the suggestions, although that wouldn't work in my budget or tiny house. At that age, they will occasionally get into stuff even when they are well exercised. It's just part of their intelligent curious natures to check out new stuff, so puppy-proofing is important. I used to say to my son, "If you want to keep it, you'd better put it up." One trainer told me to get lots of toys - and they don't all need to be the really expensive ones - but not to put them all out and rotate them once every several days to avoid toy boredom. But, yes, that's only a small part of the whole picture. Exercise, of course, is key. I wouldn't consider not crating my dogs for their own safety. And I also wouldn't consider leaving the best-behaved dog outside unattended in the best of weather, for more reasons than one. What it really comes down to is how committed you are to her. It would be hard on both of you if you adopt her, but if you don't have a whole-hearted commitment, it will be harder on everybody in the long run. Best of luck with your decision.