What do I need to know?

[larrygs]

First, congratulations! There is nothing like boxers and the way they will get into your heart and soul.

As said, they are intelligent. Learning and training starts very early, actually in the litter before you get them. So from day one, don't underestimate how much they are learning and being imprinted. Don't miss the opportunity for to shape good behaviors early on.

For example, allowing the neighborhood boy let Layla jump on him, and fake falling down, and mawl him in squeals of fun was cute when she was 9 lbs, not so cute as she grew up. Took a long time to get her not to jump up and give kisses. Jack was not encouraged to do so as a pup and he doesn't tend jump up on people.

Even simple training within the limits of a short attention span, such as learning sitting for things is good, can start really soon.

Along this line of thought, read about socializing. We did some, but certainly should have done more. In hindsight we were too protective about them catching something.

Have fun, they are only a puppy once, enjoy it!

Oh, be sure to take many photos and videos.

 

[BoozerBaby]

lots of love,tolerance,and patience,lots of walks,and no yelling they don't like it and did I say lots of love

 

[ebradford]

Thanks so much, everyone! I am 99% excited and 1% terrified out of my wits! LOL I can't wait to get him, and I know I will be full of questions.

 

[RufeliRu]

our boy is 5 months now and since we got him at 7 weeks it has been an emotional rollercoaster! I grew up with boxers so I knew their traits, high energy etc, but I underestimated the amount of TIME it takes to raise a well-rounded puppy. Its like when people have a baby and say 'oh we wont let it change our lives'... yeah right! We have totally changed our lives for this dog. He is our number one priority. He goes with us most places, we barely go out anymore (we used to be out partying at weekends but we cant bear to leave him for long now!) and my favourite part of the day is walking him. But I wouldnt change a THING. He is the most amazing addition to our family, our children adore him, and we cant imagine our lives without him now. You will have those moments where you think 'what have i done...', mine tended to be at 3am whilst standing in the garden in the rain/snow with a torch waiting for him to poo while he tried to hide in between my legs... but of course it was worth all that hard work as he was housetrained very quickly.

We had times of stress when Rufus went through a stage of nipping and jumping at the children, it was exhausting as it felt like he was never going to stop... but with time, training, patience, he gradually stopped, and is amazing with the children now. You will find you have more patience than you ever thought you had: I have learned a lot about myself from this puppy. You will love him more than you ever thought possible. And you will wonder what you ever did with your time

I think one of the hardest things for us was everyones advice. EVERYONE has an opinion on what you should/shouldnt be doing with your puppy. We read all the books, watched all the TV programmes, and ended up.... mostly confused. Do not underestimate the power of boxer world! To know that other people are experiencing the same thing as you with their boxers is great, and there is some invaluable advice on these forums. Trust your instincts. You will know your puppy better than anyone else, and once I let go of 'what I should be doing' and started trusting him, and my instincts, we made leaps and bounds in progress.

There are no other dogs as loving and hilarious as boxers. Be prepared for tripping over him 100 times a day, my pup does a fantastic shadow impression and follows me everywhere I go. Even the toilet.

Lastly, take as many photographs and videos as you can. They change every day and grow so quickly, and we find it hilarious looking at photos from just a month ago, and cant quite get over how long his legs are now in comparison.

Enjoy him x

 

[Ileana]

Congrats on your new baby!

Gracie was not our first boxer puppy... yet she managed to surprise us and challenge us as if she were.

First main challenge: attitude. "You want me to do... what? You have got to be kidding me!" and she turns and walks away instead of obeying. That tooks us months to get under control. We used clicker training and positive reinforcement only. Boxers are the clowns of this world and they appear strong and rugged, but inside they are very sensitive animals and non-positive reinforcement literally breaks their hearts. Please keep that in mind in your moments of frustration, which will come, that's for sure!

Second main challenge: boisterous and stubborn behavior (just another name for attitude LOL)
So I came home one day from work, when Gracie was about 4.5 months old, and found my husband, who works from home, sitting all upset on the couch, and the boxer curled on the floor, upset and playing the victim - tearful eyes, the works. Oh yes, I swear they get tears in their eyes when they're upset! I started a tentative conversation, hoping for the return of household bliss:

"What's going on with you two?"
"This dog doesn't respect me," said hubby in an angry voice, "nothing, but NOTHING I asked her to do today she wouldn't do. She won't come, she won't sit, she won't do anything. She just tilts her head and disobeys on purpose. I chased her in the back yard for 45 minutes to get her back in, and I missed my conference call!"
"Ok," said I, in a pacifying tone of voice, "it's just a puppy, don't expect respect from her... Really? Come on...!"
"Oh, so you think she's just a puppy? Then you make her sit and come!"
At that point I didn't think of hubby (got to admit), I only thought of Gracie and why she's not obeying any more (we had been so proud of her early training results!). So I took my clicker and my cheese treats, Gracie saw that and jumped on her feet, came in front of me and executed a perfect sit. I click. I treat. I say "stand", she stands, I click, I treat. Hubby groans in despair. I say "down," she downs, I click and treat, hubby mutters under his voice. I then realize this is going nowhere good - frustrating hubby even more. Out of options, I started giving Gracie the commands "down" and "stand", in a rapid sequence, clicking after each one, which she executed perfectly. I did that for a full minute or so, until we both burst out laughing, because the rapid sequence of downs and stands made her look like a little soldier doing pushups on the floor. Hubby's laughing out loud, storm's gone. I probe....
"See? She does obey... what did you do differently?"
"Well...I didn't have the cheese in my hand, I didn't give her treats. I hate having greasy stuff on my hands..."
"Well... Miss Attitude here won't work for free "

I hope you get to enjoy your new baby at least as much as we are enjoying every minute with ours... best of luck!

 

[PNWboxer]

My little guy is almost 15 weeks.. So I'm still a new boxer mommy.. But I'm working on some things that I realllly should've started from the beginning. Like No sleeping in the bed. It was cute at first.. But hes getting bigger and is starting to hog the bed. It also caused a wedge between my boyfriend and I (the boyfriend is coming around) But the first month or so of having Murphy i know my boyfriend was feeling neglected because my world revolved around Murphy.. Things have gotten better since i started making Murphy sleep on his bed. I now understand the importance of OUR space and having OUR time..

I also started crating him when I leave. It took about a month for me to start doing this.. But after i bought a carpet cleaner and spent a good 10-15 minutes every single time I came home cleaning up messes I decided No amount of barking was worth having a stinky house.. He hasnt had a single accident and potty training has taken off wonderfully since i started this. He's never in the crate for more than 3-4hrs at a time so that helps to.

LOTS of patience.. I agree with the puppy regret.. I took the first week off of work when i got him and after spending a week straight doing nothing but feed, cuddle, and taking the little guy outside.. with only getting pee'd on carpets, bites all over my hands and chewed up feet in return I was feeling very guilty and on the verge of going crazy..

 

[EllieKem]

LOTS of patience.. I agree with the puppy regret.. I took the first week off of work when i got him and after spending a week straight doing nothing but feed, cuddle, and taking the little guy outside.. with only getting pee'd on carpets, bites all over my hands and chewed up feet in return I was feeling very guilty and on the verge of going crazy..

Oh my, this made me laugh so hard! I felt the same way for a bit except add to that the fact that Emma would look directly at me and bark as if cussing me out at 8 weeks old. I knew I had to look for a puppy class quick. If you find a good one they can start to learn socialization and obediance while in the company of other puppies that the trainer makes sure are up to date on all vacinations.

Get used to your friends rolling their eyes at you when you continually gush on and on about your "baby." You're non-parent friends will look at you like you're crazy for turning into "that kind" of "parent." Your friends with kids will scoff at the fact that you talk about your DOG like they are children. You'll quickly realize that there is nothing like a boxer or a boxer crazy owner. You'll stalk people you see with a boxer and have people come up to you when you're out with him/her. Just remember that you have an instant communtiy that understands at BoxerWorld appicon

 

[Imamom]

Congrats on your new baby, pictures as soon as possible please!
I was in no way prepared for a puppy, much less a boxer puppy. I think I was too old Lol. Here's a few things I have learned and loved about mine...
1. They have way more energy that you would even think they could have.
2. They are at times mouthy, jumpy, chewing little terrors that make you question your sanity.
3. They play really hard but sleep even harder
4. They will make you laugh more than you thought possible.
5. They will really test your patience some days
6. They have those adorable faces for a reason
7. They will steal your heart quickly and you will love them more than anything!!!
Best of luck to you!!