Should I get another boxer????

[dubbb]

Me and my wife have a 2 year old female we love tremendously. Well we just added another addition to the family about 9 months ago. A baby! Well since then we haven't been able to give our boxer girl the attention that we used to and that she needs. It all goes towards baby Aubrie. I was thinking today maybe we should get another boxer to give her a companion. Well I looked online and found a rescue male that I really want to get but don't know if it's a good idea. Has anyone had any experience like this or have any info or suggestions. Please feel free and thanks in advance

 

[Cami]

Well since then we haven't been able to give our boxer girl the attention that we used to and that she needs.

Seems as if adding a 2nd dog to the family would result in not one but now two dogs not being able to have as much attention as they would need??

Boxers are people dogs. Sure another Boxer would result in a bit more activity for the current one (new one as well) however the new addition will require a lot of time with training to acclimate to your home and family. In all honesty it doesn't seem like another dog will correct what you can't do with one. More along the lines of doubling your load which you admit isn't getting done now. You will have two dogs that need you and two vying for your attention. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Caney Creek]

I agree with the above 110%. Getting a second dog because you can't devote enough time to the first is always a bad idea. I have two boxers, who both still need PLENTY of attention from their humans on a daily basis. If we slack on their daily walks I have not one depressed dog but TWO depressed dogs. Yes there is the benefit of them having a buddy all day every day but that's pretty much all there is to that, they still both whine at me to go places and drop toys in my lap while I'm relaxing on the couch.

 

[dubbb]

Yea I was afraid of that. I kinda knew that I was going to have to give them both attention but I was more concerned with her now not getting to play as much and if she had a friend or bro. I'd give them attention but wouldn't have to give the exercise attention if you know what I mean. she would get a little more exercise than she's getting now from playing with him. I planned on getting a male who was already house and crate trained so there wouldn't be much training I'd have to do. Hopefully Hurley would do some of the training and he would learn off what she did. I don't know. Maybe I'm just having an illusion. Thanks for your opinions and if you have more feel free to express them.

 

[Furface]

no offense intented, but you are definitely having an illusion

just because they play together doesn't mean they don't need excersise and the mental stimulation of a walk/run....and it is a lot harder with two, they are doubly demanding, to be honest the extra effort it genuinly would take you in having another, you would be better off and have more time finding ways of giving your current baby that little bit more.

 

[Cami]

The adopted Boxer might be house and potty trained but he isn't house and potty trained at your house. He also doesn't know your rules which he would have to learn and you would have to teach him.
What if they don't get along? What if that aspect alone increases the time that is needed by the humans in the home to make sure they don't hurt each other?
We aren't trying to be hurtful or to deflate your idea but it is never a good idea to add a 2nd dog to the home when time restraints and other obligations keep you from fulfilling the needs of the first.

 

[Caney Creek]

I'd give them attention but wouldn't have to give the exercise attention if you know what I mean.

You would DEFINITELY still have to give them "exercise attention". Once the "newness" of always having a boxer buddy to play with wears off, your girl and her new brother will no longer be playing with each other non-stop until they drop. That phase really won't last long at all... a few days, maybe a week if you're lucky. They will still need walks and mental stimulation to curb boredom after that.

And, dogs don't train dogs, HUMANS train dogs Even if your girl is the most well-behaved soul on Earth, that does not mean that whatever new dog you bring in will automatically follow suit. What if the new dog likes to destroy things, counter-surfs, etc.? No other dog is going to stop him from doing that. And, without regular exercise, mischief like that is more likely to happen.

 

[Gatorblu]

I have an alternate idea. Instead of spending money for more food and vet costs, find a doggy day care in your area. That way your girl will get her much needed exercise and socialization. She will be so worn out from a day at daycare you and your wife can have a small break too. She wouldn't have to go everyday, just 2-3 times a week. I think it will be much easier on everyone!

 

[dubbb]

The whole doggy day care is a great idea except for the closet one being an hour away from where I live. We were taking her over to my in-laws house a couple days a week but we had to stop that because they're 3 year old lab had a seizure while they were playing hard one day. I think it was probably her fault since you all know boxers don't stop playing for nothing, and the heat didn't help either.

 

[johann]

I have an alternate idea. Instead of spending money for more food and vet costs, find a doggy day care in your area. That way your girl will get her much needed exercise and socialization. She will be so worn out from a day at daycare you and your wife can have a small break too. She wouldn't have to go everyday, just 2-3 times a week. I think it will be much easier on everyone!

Excellent idea!