re: Help in preparing to bring a boxer home

[KathrynH]

Hi! I was just wondering if any of you had any advice on the best products or must have items I should get before bringing a boxer home. I haven't even found a breeder yet, but I like to be ready. I have a pug, so I know how to do a small dog, but I bet there are some differences.

I appriciate any advice you can give.
KathrynH

 

[Elyse]

You must have a Kong. Boxers play a lot and play hard. We have found that the "rough & rugged" brand is great. The are all hard rubber toys. For a puppy, any plush toys are usually fine. You will notice when it is time for tougher toys. Most important of all is taking the time to play with your pup. IMO, the need a lot of human stimulation (I am no expert though).

I can tell you this, boxers are amazing and the most loving creatures. Be prepared to share you heart and BED!!! ha

This is a great place with tons of info and tons of member who are so knowledgable. It has been a great resource for me.

Good luck and Welcome

 

[Anna Begins]

Get lots of rest now

You will need lots and lots of paper towels and some Nature's Miracle. You can't have too many chew toys. Luka and I couldn't have lived without these:
http://www.petco.com/product_info.asp?sku=1821481384&dept_id=-2
or these (sold at Petco also, but more expensive)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=342&N=2001+62743
(start with the regular or wolf size)
Good luck!

 

[abradbury.5]

TOYS, TOYS, TOYS!!

Toffee loves her toys! She loves the ones that make weird noises (grunts, quacks, rings). Her all-time favorite toys are balls--she has a little squeaky soccer ball she plays with in the house and a big soccer ball she plays with outside.

She was never destructive (even as a puppy) and I think it's because she always had a selection of toys. I would rotate them around so she saw different toys ever couple of weeks.

 

[KathrynH]

We ARE opposite! I have it in my head that a big dog is going to be SO HARD!!! My Pug was a breeze. I crate trained. If you want specifics on how I gradually gave him the run of the house with no accidents, PM me(can we do that on this site?), and I'll talk about that more. I basically got lots of tips on crate training off the internet and followed it to the LETTER...
I am thinking the same thing as you - I hope my Pug wasn't just beginners luck. Give me any tips you have... Do you work? What did you do with him while at work?
What kind of little dog are you getting?
KathrynH

My family and BF teased me on all the toys I had on hand. I got the last laugh because we made it through with no distruction. Only a few toys are history. I am getting ready to bring home puppy #2. I hope Asia was not beginners luck.

I am in the oppisite boat as you. I did the large dog and this time I am bring home a small dog. How did you housebreak your Pug?
I have it in my head the little ones are more difficult.

 

[Jaime&Louie]

When I brought Louie home, I had already made him a toy box. I put all of his toys in there, and if he got a hold of something that didn't belong to him, I'd redirect him to his toy box. It worked great for me. He learned quickly what was, and wasn't his. That, plus crate training for housebreaking. It just about drove me to the brink of insanity, but it sure was nice when he didn't "go pee pee in the house" anymore. That's what I used to say to him. YOU GO PEE PEE OUTSIDE!!! PEE PEE OUTSIDE!!! My friend thought it was funny... she said "Jaime, when he's a big ol' boxer and you're still saying "pee pee and poo poo" you're gonna look funny"... she uses "take a break" and it works well for her dogs... but I'll stick to my pee pee phrase it works for me.

Good luck in finding your baby...

 

[Anna Begins]

My friend thought it was funny... she said "Jaime, when he's a big ol' boxer and you're still saying "pee pee and poo poo" you're gonna look funny"... she uses "take a break" and it works well for her dogs... but I'll stick to my pee pee phrase it works for me.
QUOTE]
LOL
I use "bathroom"..a friend of mine asked if I really wanted people hearing me say "Bathroom" as we walked around. I said it was better than "pee pee" and it's not like people don't know what we're doing out there anyway!

 

[Boxer_21]

I did a forum search and fold this this old thread which covers the same topic. There are more threads which can be found by doing a search for 'puppy list' or 'puppy shopping list' etc.

- Mandy

 

[tyson&ali]

Tip proof bowls and a mat to go underneth the water bowl! I used to get so frustrated with Tyson because if he didn't like what was in the bowl or if he got mad he would tip them over and I swear ALL boxers have a hole in their bottom lip! ALSO you may want to invest in a baby gate?!? We use ours when mommy and daddy need a little space! (However Ali can scale the big one if she really wants to!)