So many questions-new baby girl

[nanabear]

Gosh, I hate to rain on your parade. But please don't bring that baby home until at least 8 weeks - they learn so much from their littermates after weaning and just being together. But everyone else has already said this.
I would go so far as to say, if that breeder is going to let all the puppies go that soon, even if she agrees to keep yours another 3 weeks...........don't take that baby. The problems that you could have are magnified by more than 3 weeks. If you could be a "stay-at-home mom", I might say it would work. But you are going to have problems if you do this.
Sorry to be so glum, but a neurotic Boxer is no fun.

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

I agree with everyone on waiting. While it is true that most dogs are weaned at 5-6 weeks they need to stay with mom to socialize and learn "dog" things. Dogs that young are not real fun anyways. I have found that my dogs didnt develop personalities and fun quirks until at least 12 weeks. You'll be glad you waited the extra few days. I think the blanket idea is great! My mom brought a blanket home with her puppy and I think it really helped.

Cropping- Both of my dogs are not cropped. It seemed like a waste of time and $ to crop them if they are not show dogs. I also think the floopy look makes them less intimidating looking.

Glad to hear your planning on odbedience school. School is the best thing we have done for our dogs. We are planning on getting brutus into agility soon and possibly competing. Amaya started puppy school at 11 weeks and I think it was great---I wish we had taken Brutus to puppy classes.

Good luck and welcome to the board!!!



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Brutus & Amayas Mom
Brutus 9/23/99 Flashy Fawn
Amaya 3/22/00 Flashy Brindle

 

[LUV MY BXR]

Don't bring your pup home any earlier than -8 weeks; they need that time to feed with mom and to socialize with siblings. I also recommend crate training when you get your pup home - everything needs to be purchased and ready to go when the pup comes home - they need their own special place - this a very big step for a new pup.

Congratulations and good luck!! Welcome to the board - I'm glad to have more people from LA.

 

[Jennifer -Pharaoh's Mom]

Congradulations on your puppy!!! She'll fill your life with laughter, tears, and heartpounding action. First off....don't crop if you're not gonna show. I had my first Boxer cropped (at 11½ weeks), and he died the day after of heart failure. Too big a risk for a "cosmetic" surgery. My fawn boy, Pharaoh, is natural and a reall cutie. Besides, one of my fiance's favorite passtimes is flipping Pharaoh's ears back to annoy me. Ha! :D
Secondly...no matter HOW ready you are to get that beautiful baby girl at 5 weeks of age....WAIT! That's WAYYYY to young. She should be no younger than 8 weeks old before leaving mom. The blanket idea is a great one...kudo's to you. A ticking clock or soft music from a radio (Classical) also helps to soothe the baby. Get a crate....NOW. Make it her special place, and NEVER use it for punishment. You'll come to treasure this crate as GOLD when she hits her teething stage. It's eather the crate or yelling and screaming...believe me, the crate is so much better for the both of you. Ha.
Next, consider a good vet. Have you checked around. Take a clinic tour, if they say they can not give one...find another clinic. Then, purchase a few boxer books...I've got like 7 of them...they offer great tips on puppyhood, feeding, grooming, etc. Then select a good puppy food. PHaraoh grew up on Eukaneuba large breed puppy, then ate Science Diet Adult, and now is on Nutro Max Lamb and Rice for Adults. Nutro also makes a puppy food ...I've heard it's excellent...I know the adult formula is. Make sure you get papers. Before any major surgery, do bloodpanel bloodwork to check for heat problems, liver problems,etc. OH, get her checked out first thing by your vet to ensure health. if she's got a heart murmur, bad skin, goopy eyes, your vet will tell you. Most people will tell you not to let your pup sleep on the bed with you. That's very true, I ...on the other hand....was not that strong. Pharaoh used to sleep on the bed with me most nights until I met my fiance'. he he he
Now he hops on the bed with us...we fall asleep...and he hops off and goes in his own bed next to ours. ONe of those fleece beds. (A word of caution. She'll demolish that thing if left unnatended when she's young..ha!) Make sure you get first shot, get her dewormed, have her examined, and get her on some heartworm preventative. Think about enrolling in a puppy school. It's a great way to meet other people and make new friends...plus it gives her a chance to socialize with other dogs and people. Teach your children how to be GENTLE with her. IN return you two must also be GENTLE with her!!! NO roughhousing. YOu want a calm angel, not a jumping, clawing, beast. With a lot of patience and guidance, she'll be a great dog. REmember, she's just a pup until she's almost 2. This breed is FOREVER young, and doesn't fully mature till 2 years of age. She can not be expected to have good sense until she's an adult. They have a tendency to jump (or bounce straight into the air...I call it ...boinging), and they LOVE to lick. She will absolutely LOVE your children...she'll most likely seek their rooms out to sleep in....but until she knows better you should supervise play sessions. These dogs are big goofballs and love to wrestle. They soon grow to be much larger than the kids and don't understand why they can no longer wrestle with the children. Teach her to "drop" food , toys etc. You, your husband, and your children should be able to take items DIRECTLY out of her mouth and away from her. Give her a treat, then take it from her. PRAISE her lavishly if she relinquishes it after you say, DROP. Then give it back to her...and over and over again. Let the kids help with feeding, grooming, etc. This will enforce their alpha positions over her....and yours. Then...don't forget to HAVE FUN!!!! I know I've given you too much info , but I didn't want to forget anything. Please let us know if you have any questions. Oh, keep a sharp eye for mange. IT's pretty common in boxers. Even Pharaoh got it when he was7 months old. EMail me with any questions.
Good luck!!!!
Jennifer

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Pharaoh/Fawn/Black Mask
Born 9-8-96

www.geocities.com/jemjen24

For the "BOXERWORLD REG'S" PAGE ...CLICK THIS LINK...

www.geocities.com/jemjen24/boxerworldregs.html

Here you can see the Boxerwold REG's with their families and dogs

 

[DeeDee & Clay Sewell]

Last time for today - I met "Dad" and I just have to say, "WOW!" He is so handsome - a huge Reverse Brindle named Hercules. These folks have quite a few Boxers - all very friendly and they were hilarious to watch. Hercules plays like a little puppy - The owner's son was playing in a little wading pool and he would hide below the rim. Hercules would get down on his stomach and creep up to the pool, the little boy would jump up and roar like a giant -"Arrrrrrhhh!" and Hercules would leap up into the air throwing himself backwards, pretending to be scared. It was too funny. That face! Over and over, they did this. I have learned much after talking to his owner, Belle's owner and all of you. I believe we all agree that Little Ms Gorgeous (until we decide on an official name) will stay with mom until she is 8 weeks old. Thank you all so much -

 

[DeeDee & Clay Sewell]

Thanks for all that great advice - I know where to come now when I have questions - I really appreciate every word. They should have invented this years ago. Ha-ha.

 

[chickenz]

The only thing that I wanted to add, is make sure the crate you get is big enough. The crate should be big enough for her to turn around in when she is full grown. We have a 4 month old baby girl. Please don't crop unless you plan to show her. It is quite painful on both your parts. GOOD LUCK!!

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Maggie - flashy fawn, born 4/2000, natural ears, part human.