To Late to Crate?

[CainsMom]

Hi everyone. I have been thinking latley, that I would like to crate train Cain. I would rather him be inside comfortable, the outside in the Oklahoma heat.

Cain is just over 7 months old. He lived with the breader until he was 5 months old, when my friend Jake bought him. Jake had him only a short time, he was about to move when the rental failed on him. The only other place he could find did not allow pets. So Jake asked my mom to babysit him while he tried to look for a new place that allowed pets. My mom had 2 small dogs and Cain just had a blast playing with them. But, he needed a place where he felt it was his home. I got in touch with Jake, and talked to him a little bit, and he agreed I was a great person to take care of his "Knuckles" as he had named him. We agreed on Cain together, and I told him he could come over anytime. He signed over his AKC papers and now he is all mine I got Cain when he was a little over 6 months, so I have had him about a month now.

Anyway, Cain is good when he is in the house. He has never pottied on the floor. My husband works nights, and sleeps days, and I work days.

I need help on whether or not to try and keep Cain inside, in a big crate, and he can be out in the house, or outside when people are awake and home.

We have a nasty pit bull next door, and only a chain link fence. The have an electriccal fence line, but its never on. My dog and him run up and down the fence line trying to play. They throw toys over the fence. It is kinda funny. But, when Cain gets tired and just wants to sit, the PB will bite at him through the fence. I know he is only playing, but the tog has no tags. How do I know he has a clean bill of health?

I have bought an electrial fence for our yard, in hopes of keeping him away from the fence line. But, not yet installed. Still, its really hot here, and I would like him to be inside.

Sorry so long. Any tips and advice are appreciated.

Chrystal

 

[michelle8702]

From what I have read

I read A LOT about the breed before I purchased my dog and From what I have read! Boxer's do not do well outside in extreme enviornment's their coat's don't hold up well to inclement weather and their short snout make's it hard for them to breath in extreme heat! You should definitly in my opinion Crate train your pup and keep him inside for the most part!

Since he is older he may be easier or harder to train depending on personality! I had a 2 year old dog who I only had to say "Cage" to and he would go lay down and not come out until I asked him to... I didn't even have to close the door!

My new puppy on the other hand is proving to be more of a challenge!

 

[adeinert]

There is no such thing as a dog being too old to train. A good trainer can train a dog at various ages. I foster for a rescue and I crate train most of the boxers through here from ages 7 weeks (BYB's often give up pups too early) through about 5 years. If crate training is done correctly, the trained boxer will enjoy the crate.

I read too many posts about people putting their dog in a crate, shutting the door, and wondering why they cry or when they'll stop. That's plain mean. If you do a search on crate training, follow the suggestions, you can work up to longer amounts of time and it will be non-stressful.

The rescue I volunteer for will not adopt boxers to homes where they will be left outside at all. Our breed just can't handle the Florida heat. Besides, my boxers want to be inside on the couch or a soft bed where a beloved family member belongs. Here's a general gist of why outdoors in an environment like Florida just isn't safe.

Boxers are indoor housepets and do not fare well when left alone outdoors unsupervised for an extended period of time. Because of their short-haired coats, musculature and short muzzles, Boxers have a virtual inability to regulate their bodies in extreme hot (or cold) temperatures and tend to overheat easily. Additionally, there are many natural dangers that one subjects their family pet to, when he is kept outdoors, such as: *Encounters with poisonous plants and flowers, mushrooms, cocoa mulch, Bufo Toads, snake bites, wasps, hornet or bee stings, all which can kill your dog if not treated immediately. * Great chance of being stolen from your yard by professional "batcher's" who make their living stealing pets to resell for profit, to medical research labs and universities or as "bait" for Pit Bull fighting rings. * Dog can become bored and dig out of your yard, or escape to reach a neighbor's dog who is in heat, or can escape your yard and be hit by a car. * Neighborhood pranksters taunting your dog through the fence with sticks, etc..., causing your dog to adopt aggressive and territorial behaviors. * Contact with toxins such as antifreeze is likely, or any other dangerous chemical found in your garage, porch or yard areas. * Heat stroke and dehaydration are very common in Florida. * Increased chance of both internal and external parasite infestations, even if the dog is given preventatives.

Happy crate training!
Work up slowly and you'll have better success.

Ashlie

 

[kelcal]

I must say that I agree.Crate train him for his own safety.