We're in the same boat...Our solution was Doggie Daycare while he is very young, (daily to now once a week-we tried to cut back more but it was too soon.) If you have a fenced (reliable) yard, and more than one Boxer, then I bet they would be just fine by themselves at home...of course I would still take them to Daycare long enough to learn house manners...One Boxer puppy is a HUGE amount of work, and two puppies is double that...and without manners they would be impossible to live with. Someone once mentioned to me that Boxer rescue is the biggest dog rescue organization because Boxers can be so much more work than people expect so they just give them up. I don't know if this is true, but if it is, I can understand the breeders' concern. CJ was a little hellion the first month and still gets into trouble sometimes, but I can't imagine ever abandoning him...but some do unfortunately...
Only Unemployed Dog Lovers Need Apply...
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Aimee
Boxer Insane
I have said numerous times before that if all working folks couldn't own a dog that there would be alot more waiting on death row. I do rescue work for a few different organizations and unfortunantly we do come across these issues. It angers me to no end when we get perfectly good applicants in but because they are out of their house 10 hours a day they are denied. But it's okay that the dog is being fostered with a working family who is also gone during the day :mad: I would persue another rescue in your area and also your local shelters. Good luck and keep us posted.
My hubby and I are gone all day. Our solution was as follows: 1. Get two dogs (or 1 dog and 1 cat). They are pack animals and are not designed to be totally alone. Another animal will reduce the likelihood of destructive behavior resulting from the dog being bored. We learned that one the hard way. 2. Fence in the back yard. You won't have to go home and let them out if they have a doggie door. Or, they can remain outside, with adequate shelter, obviously, during the day until they are totally trustworthy in the house. Naturally, you would want to get your puppies during a mild season so they can stay outside during the day until they are a little older. You could even attach a doggie door to the garage if you didn't want them to have unlimited access to the house. Clearly, this only works if you live in a location where it would be safe to leave them fenced in - privacy fence is best - plenty of toys, no dangerous cables, etc.
If you are in an apartment, a boxer may not be the dog for you. They do require lots of room to run - I know there are people who are able to pull it off, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but my girls need more than just a daily walk or two - the literally run in the yard all day and until bedtime. Boxers are full of energy and can easily become destructive and otherwise ill-mannered when bored and restless from lack of space, fresh air, and exercise - especially when they are young.
Hope you find the right solution for you! Boxers are worth the trouble you're having to find one!! (or two!!)
If you are in an apartment, a boxer may not be the dog for you. They do require lots of room to run - I know there are people who are able to pull it off, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but my girls need more than just a daily walk or two - the literally run in the yard all day and until bedtime. Boxers are full of energy and can easily become destructive and otherwise ill-mannered when bored and restless from lack of space, fresh air, and exercise - especially when they are young.
Hope you find the right solution for you! Boxers are worth the trouble you're having to find one!! (or two!!)
McGehee1
Super Boxer
I work full time and my husband has his own business. He is sometimes home all day, sometimes in and out and sometimes out all day. He finds that, even when he is home, the dogs are sacked out all day. He leaves their crate doors open, and often they still basically snooze all day. They gets lots of attention and yard time in the am and as much as possible in the pm, depending on the length of day. When he's out all day, they are crated from 7:30am-6pm and no worse for wear.
gidget1
Completely Boxer Crazy
Don't give up. You're not the only one who works full time and has an animal. I do agree with the others on a Boxer and maybe another dog or cat or even 2 Boxers:D We have Gidget and a Rat Terrier, they love each other and keep each other company. Keep the faith and keep looking, I also agree that petfinder is a great place to look.
PawPrintBoxers
Banned
Not true at all
Now, when I was looking for my first Boxer, I also got turned down because both my husband and I work. We kept at it and found a quality breeder willing to trust us. TRUST is the key word here. We proved we could give tons of quality time to our Boxer and have since added two others to our household.
I stress again, TRUST is the key word here and trust must be earned. I do sympathize with the original person who is looking for a Boxer pup and I ask you continue to speak with quality breeders. Remember, you are just one of hundreds of people calling them, so try to show your are very willing to make this important committment
I am sorry but this as is far from the truth as you could get. The fact a breeder is interested in the home a Boxer pup is going to speaks highly of that breeder. Work in Boxer Rescue and wait until you hear the excuses people have for returning their Boxers. "We don't have time for them" is the #1 reason. No quality breeder wants to put their pup into a situation they are uncomfortable with.
Now, when I was looking for my first Boxer, I also got turned down because both my husband and I work. We kept at it and found a quality breeder willing to trust us. TRUST is the key word here. We proved we could give tons of quality time to our Boxer and have since added two others to our household.
I stress again, TRUST is the key word here and trust must be earned. I do sympathize with the original person who is looking for a Boxer pup and I ask you continue to speak with quality breeders. Remember, you are just one of hundreds of people calling them, so try to show your are very willing to make this important committment
I have 2 dogs (one boxer x male and one terrier x male) and I think that they are 1.5x the trouble, not double the trouble of one dog. They entertain eachother, wrestle, tug-of-war, chase and snooze together.
We have a garage with a doggy door out into a secure kennel run for our guys when we are away for long periods. If we are away for shorter periods we still crate them.
I understand your frustration though. My two dogs are both rescues, and the people I got them from could care less about who I was or how I was going to treat the dogs. This past year I have been seeking a boxer bitch from a reputable breeder and they ask for A LOT of info. I jokingly asked one breeder if she wanted a criminal records check. She said, "Yes, sometimes we do ask for that."
I am a full time student, but I am home most afternoons and some mornings. This is appealing to the breeder, but if I am going to be able to afford a purebred dog, much less feed 3 dogs and 2 cats and MYSELF I do have to work. ARGH! I just can't win! I finally found a very understanding, trusting breeder who is willing to co-own a little show bitch with me. I think she understands that I truely love and care for my dogs and I have to work to provide them with the best possible care.
I understand that breeders want what is best for their dogs and want to see them go to good forever homes. If you are ABSOLUTELY sure that you want a boxer, and you are 100% aware of what you are getting into why don't you get together a list of impeccable references to hand out to breeders. Also, why not ask them a whole long list of questions as well. Not only would this prove that you are serious about this and well informed, but it will give you some insight into how reputable the breeder really is.
Oh ya, and also, when I am home 90% of the time my guys are either sleeping or playing together anyway.
Best of luck,
Tamara
We have a garage with a doggy door out into a secure kennel run for our guys when we are away for long periods. If we are away for shorter periods we still crate them.
I understand your frustration though. My two dogs are both rescues, and the people I got them from could care less about who I was or how I was going to treat the dogs. This past year I have been seeking a boxer bitch from a reputable breeder and they ask for A LOT of info. I jokingly asked one breeder if she wanted a criminal records check. She said, "Yes, sometimes we do ask for that."
I am a full time student, but I am home most afternoons and some mornings. This is appealing to the breeder, but if I am going to be able to afford a purebred dog, much less feed 3 dogs and 2 cats and MYSELF I do have to work. ARGH! I just can't win! I finally found a very understanding, trusting breeder who is willing to co-own a little show bitch with me. I think she understands that I truely love and care for my dogs and I have to work to provide them with the best possible care.
I understand that breeders want what is best for their dogs and want to see them go to good forever homes. If you are ABSOLUTELY sure that you want a boxer, and you are 100% aware of what you are getting into why don't you get together a list of impeccable references to hand out to breeders. Also, why not ask them a whole long list of questions as well. Not only would this prove that you are serious about this and well informed, but it will give you some insight into how reputable the breeder really is.
Oh ya, and also, when I am home 90% of the time my guys are either sleeping or playing together anyway.
Best of luck,
Tamara
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nicmicwil
Boxer Booster
I live in NJ and got my boxer puppy from National Breeders on Route 35 in Middletown. They didn't have a problem with my husband and I working 10 hours a day. We crate our dog and he hasn't had any problems. He is 6 months old and hasn't had an accident in the house for months. He knows he has to potty outside and during the day if he has to pee he goes in the crate. Oh well - I have to clean it when I come home. So what - he is so worth coming home to.
Also, my husband and I are going to send Willie to daycare for puppies twice a week. They open at 7am and close at 7pm. They are only crated when they are either eating or sleeping. Most of the time they are playing! It is a little expensive at $18 a day but well worth the piece of mind.
Good luck in your search - I am sure you will make wonderful parents!!
Also, my husband and I are going to send Willie to daycare for puppies twice a week. They open at 7am and close at 7pm. They are only crated when they are either eating or sleeping. Most of the time they are playing! It is a little expensive at $18 a day but well worth the piece of mind.
Good luck in your search - I am sure you will make wonderful parents!!
monty'smum
Completely Boxer Crazy
I look back with dismay over the first couple of years of my Owains life.
He was 8 months old when we adopted him and not potty trained. I took a week off work to settle him in but he had been with his brothers, sisters, cousins etc for all his life and suddenly was left with just us.
My husband and I worked different schedules so it was better than us both being out the same hours. Even so he was left longer than I felt necessary. I would take him out for a walk at about 6am and then leave for work at 7am. My husband would take him out again about 10am before leaving for work at 11am. Neighbours would let him out briefly at about 2pm and I would get home about 6pm.
Now no matter how tired or a horrible day I'd had I still had to take Owain out for exercise before even thinking about making our evening meal. Quite honestly sometimes this was an absolute chore especially during the winter months with dark mornings and evenings.
Our social life also suffered. Neither one of us wanted to leave our dog on an evening or weekend as he had been left during the day. Thankfully we had good friends, we took him to London for a weekend and every time we visited local friends for a meal, I insisted he came too.
When my daughter was born and I only worked part time, I finally gave Owain what I felt was the best years of his life.
When he died at the age of 14 I was inconsolable, for a time my grief made it impossible even to think about getting another dog. Then I started to actually enjoy being dog free. I no longer had to consider him and I guess I became lazy. Not for long though, my parents fifth boxer died and 6 months later they bought my sister and I siblings. So now I have Monty and again I'm in a dilema about how and when I leave him.
All I can say is take a good look at your life style and see if a dog fits in with it. A puppy needs more care and for my two cents worth cannot be left up to 9 hours a day.
Best of luck, I hope everything finally works out for you.
He was 8 months old when we adopted him and not potty trained. I took a week off work to settle him in but he had been with his brothers, sisters, cousins etc for all his life and suddenly was left with just us.
My husband and I worked different schedules so it was better than us both being out the same hours. Even so he was left longer than I felt necessary. I would take him out for a walk at about 6am and then leave for work at 7am. My husband would take him out again about 10am before leaving for work at 11am. Neighbours would let him out briefly at about 2pm and I would get home about 6pm.
Now no matter how tired or a horrible day I'd had I still had to take Owain out for exercise before even thinking about making our evening meal. Quite honestly sometimes this was an absolute chore especially during the winter months with dark mornings and evenings.
Our social life also suffered. Neither one of us wanted to leave our dog on an evening or weekend as he had been left during the day. Thankfully we had good friends, we took him to London for a weekend and every time we visited local friends for a meal, I insisted he came too.
When my daughter was born and I only worked part time, I finally gave Owain what I felt was the best years of his life.
When he died at the age of 14 I was inconsolable, for a time my grief made it impossible even to think about getting another dog. Then I started to actually enjoy being dog free. I no longer had to consider him and I guess I became lazy. Not for long though, my parents fifth boxer died and 6 months later they bought my sister and I siblings. So now I have Monty and again I'm in a dilema about how and when I leave him.
All I can say is take a good look at your life style and see if a dog fits in with it. A puppy needs more care and for my two cents worth cannot be left up to 9 hours a day.
Best of luck, I hope everything finally works out for you.
Boo
Completely Boxer Crazy
Hmmmm I wasn't going to add to this thread considering that I am a stay at home mum, BUT....
TRUST: A couple of people mentioned the trust issue with breeders. I'd be willing to bet money that these breeders who won't let their pups to go a home like yours is because that trust has been violated in the past. Same goes with the rescue groups. That's not fair to you, but it is an indicator of how a couple of losers can ruin things for those who WILL follow through with their promises.
They aren't going to make that leap of faith again, unless someone can give them the kind of assurances they are happy with (perhaps, daycare, dog walkers etc).
I am sure there are bybs and not so fussy shelters that will sell you a dog in your circumstances. But if you are fussy about where you get your dog, it makes sense to me that they should be fussy about where they go.
Adele
TRUST: A couple of people mentioned the trust issue with breeders. I'd be willing to bet money that these breeders who won't let their pups to go a home like yours is because that trust has been violated in the past. Same goes with the rescue groups. That's not fair to you, but it is an indicator of how a couple of losers can ruin things for those who WILL follow through with their promises.
They aren't going to make that leap of faith again, unless someone can give them the kind of assurances they are happy with (perhaps, daycare, dog walkers etc).
I am sure there are bybs and not so fussy shelters that will sell you a dog in your circumstances. But if you are fussy about where you get your dog, it makes sense to me that they should be fussy about where they go.
Adele
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