our first boxer puppy

[foothillr]

Its finally happened, we recieved our first pup yesterday. With a measure of shame I must admit that all the great advice I've read here went right out the window when I looked into the eyes of this little girl. First off, she (her new name is Honey) is a VERY young puppy (5 weeks old) which I thought was strange. We bought her from a backyard breeder whom we know nothing about. I can hear the sighs and tisk tisks from you all already. Of course, she is still to young for her shots so we will bear that expense gladly. What I need here folks is a good deal of advice. I promise to heed all good advice from now on! What would be an ideal diet for her at this moment? The people we got her from suggested Puppy Chow wetted with milk. Would that be regular, condensed, or goat milk or is this totally off base altogether? She so sweet, she's at my feet sucking on my big toe and growling at it ... OW, needle teeth! Also she has fleas. I believe shes too young from flea shampoo but would like to provide her and us some relief. Any suggestions? I re-read all about their traits again this morning to get an inkling of what hers might be. Laying on her back is definite as is snoring and gas...WE'RE A PERFECT MATCH! My wife was adamant last night about no puppies in bed which of course burst my bubble. She said something about our bed is our bed and her bed is her bed....yeah, whatever. I awoke around 3 am to find this little snoring bundle of love on a baby blanket next to my head and awoke early to "puppy breath" kisses at 7. I sleep through anything including puppy whining, heh heh, but my wife doesn't. So anyway, after you're through chastising me for breaking all the rules will you please help Honey and me? Oh yeah, I'll post pics of Honey as soon as I get them back from the developer.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

First boxer puppy

First of all Welcome to Boxer World and Congrats on the new puppy. My puppy was 5 1/2 weeks old also when I got her, and that was before I knew anything about Boxer World, so she is also from a backyard breeder. I would not recommend Purina Puppy Chow it is not a good food, nor is Iams. Read the first ingredient if it is Corn or a grain and not a meat it is not premium food. I have my puppy on Wellness Super 5 Puppy Mix you can go to www.oldmotherhubbard.com to find a location where you live to buy this. I also started my puppy on the puppy milk that you can buy at the pet store since she was under 8 weeks old. Yes you will need to moisten the food because at 5 weeks your puppy will not be able to chew, although mine swallowed her food whole and never tried to chew As far as the biting, boxer puppies bite harder and more then any other puppy IMO, do not hit her in any way and do not grab her nose. Just say NO BITE and end all play, just walk away she will get the idea. Again enjoy your puppy, mine was 5 weeks old Dec. 20 and weighed 4 lbs. she is now almost 8 months and weighs 50 lbs so they grow very fast. Again Congrats sit back and enjoy the ride

 

[hanley]

Congrats!!!!!!!!

Congrats on baby Honey, just be patient with her she is so young, like bringing home a new baby, its a 24 hour job for a while,but she will give you so much love & joy in return. Boxer Pal, Hanley

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Congratulations on Honey! My first boxer was bought from a pet store in 1977 from Athens,Greece. Yes, it was not the wisest of choices and trust me we paid for it through the ying yang with vet bills out the wazoo! But he was the love of my life and our family had no regrets! Hopefully your lesson will be less costly than ours. Can't wait to see pictures!

Dora & the Zoo Crew

 

[Vela]

Well no point in chastising you at all since you realize the mistakes you have made there is no point in saying anything more about that.

I would get her vetted immediately. She needs to be checked. I personally don't know anything about fleas or ages appropriate for things as mine have never had them.

I would definitely not give her puppy chow or Iams. I would find her a good quality food as she really is going to need the extra boost a healhty diet can give her. I would also use the puppy replacement formula to soak her food with at first rather than any other kind of milk. A lot of dogs do not digest diary prodcuts all that well. Try perhaps chicken soup puppy food or canidae or perhaps another food someon suggests that is good quality. I only mention those two as those are the only two I can vouch for beause they are the only two I have used.

Do a search on bite inhibition as your pup is too young to have learned this from her mom and litter mates as she should have. There are qiute a few things you can try that you can find by searching biting or bite inhibition.

Good luck with her. I hope she ends up being healthy. I'm sure you will get many more suggestions. You will find a lot of help here.

 

[foothillr]

thankyou!

WHEW, thanks for not flogging me! Also thankyou everyone for your suggestions and comments. We most definitely will get her to the vet for a check-up. The advice on the puppy chow was great. I had no idea that grain products as a first ingredient instead of meat was so important. I guess "truth in advertising" isn't what its all cracked up to be since the food co. says its ideal for pups. Does Mother Hubbard make the Chicken Soup Puppy Food? Thankyou Shakira's Ma for the discipline suggestions. I have never been a fan of hitting animals as I've seen what it has done (to the detrimate) of other peoples pets. We are planning on taking her to obedience training when she is old enough. Though I certainly not qualified as a vet, she appears healthy other than the fleas. Her appetite is good, she has alot of energy. I've examined her stools for anything foreign and nothing shows though I'm not sure anything would. Her stool is loose but I gather thats from the milk(I assume that means shes' not digesting it well?) I'll keep you all updated on her progress. Hanley,Mama_Zookeeper,Shakir's Ma, and Vela, thanks again for all your helpful advice.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

No Problem

foothillr I don't believe that Old Mother Hubbard makes Chicken Soup for the Puppy's Soul, however that is a good food also. Old Mother Hubbard makes of course Old Mother Hubbard, and then Wellness and Nutro. Old Mother Hubbard and Nutro can be found at almost all Petsmarts and SuperPetz the Wellness is a little harder to find but you can definately find a store near you on that website that I sent you. As far as the fleas, I have not had a problem, like Vela, but I use Advantage on my dogs and that is purchased at the vets. Your puppy might be too young for it you will have to check with your vet. The over the counter flea treatments sold at department stores are not good for your pets, it is always best to get these from the vets. Good Luck with your baby and I hope that you get her all straightened out with the diarrhea and fleas. I would not use regular milk though, only use the milk replacements sold at the petstores and farm stores and that is what you make the kibble moist with just like Vela said. lovicon