What to do...

[evanb]

Well I am leaning more towards keeping him now. He is becoming more manageable now. He can still be a pain, but seems to be a little better now that I have had him for almost 2 weeks. I guess my question now is what to expect from the 3 Month on age. He is walking on a leash much better, crying less in his crate (still wont walk in by himself). Sleeping later, no having as many accidents in the house. Its more biting at everything now and the occasional sit on his butt during a walk and not want to move.

 

[BeckyNC]

Owning a dog is a lot of work, just like having a child. I understand your concerns. I felt the same way after adopting Tae 14 mos ago. I was totally overwhelmed (and she was 13 mos old). I still have days when I feel less mobile (must go home after work to take her for a walk), but she's so sweet and keeps me laughing.

If a times and you feel you must relinquish the dog, please, please call a Boxer rescue group. They do a wonderful job of placing Boxers with good families.

By the way, your little guy is a real cutie!

 

[LuvDaBabies]

Boy I have been where you are (and recently too). When I came to BoxerWorld I was at my wits end with Justice (now 11 months old) and we got her at 8 weeks. I had done my research on boxers and was totally ready even though everyone said I was crazy - we have a 5 year old son, 5 year old cocker spaniel, our 2nd son was born 6 days before we got Justice, and 3 rats (which demand time too if you want them to be friendly) - I have my hands full! Justice was taking a back seat to everything else on my plate and we ALL suffered for it.

I got a lot of great advice here and really sat down to decide if she was worth it for me and my family. I sat down, decided I wanted her and that she was special enough to receive the love she deserves. I set aside an hour each night for time with just me and her. We work on training and bonding and play together. Just that amount of time each day (and even if I'm tired-she gets her hour no matter how late I have to stay up with her) has really shown an improvement in her behavior.

It's a tough choice to make but if you really sit down and work it out, you'll make the right decision for you and the puppy. If you kept the little darling BoxerWorld is FULL of great information and is a wonderful support system! Just remember to post new questions and concerns in a new thread and in the right area (there's forums for behavior and training) just find the right one and post away!

 

[Tucker's Mom]

Wishing you the best

I completely understand where you're coming from. When I first got my babies, my b/f was gone during the week with his trucking business, and I wanted something to keep me company. As you can see in my gallery, I ended up with two babies, both the same age (we bought Tucker from a breeder, and Rosie was a free pup that would have gone to the pound if we hadn't taken her). They drove me nuts! I know I called my b/f in tears at least a dozen times in the first few months. As soon as I would clean up one mess, they were making another one. And I don't think I got more than 3 hours of sleep until they were around 3 months old. It's hard work to train pups, and it really doesn't leave much time for anything else. But, I wouldn't trade them for the world now. My b/f and I joke about what we'll do with the pups if we split up. Tucker was my Christmas present, and Rosie is technically his, but they are inseparatable (spelling?). I can't imagine one without the other, and we would never dream of splitting them. And I would never imagine giving them up, either (they are 6 1/2 months old now). But, there was a time when I wished that I hadn't taken them.

It was at the three month spot that I really became attached to my babies. They started to chew on everything (Tucker actually started eating, and yes, I do mean eating, my underwear whenever he could find them, and Rosie took a liking to socks and shoes). But, they were learning to obey simple commands and were sleeping through the night. And, as they get older, it gets easier and easier. I wish you luck with your baby. I know it can be hard, but all of that Boxer joy will be more than worth it in the end. When you get a Boxer, you don't just get a dog - you get millions of smiles, a lot of laughter, and a whole lot of love. (And who says money can't buy love???)

 

[Boxer_21]

I guess my question now is what to expect from the 3 Month on age.

You might be interested in this page:
http://www.boxerworld.com/puppy/education/

- Mandy

 

[LoganLVR]

Also wishing you the best...

I just wanted to say I really understand where you are at and it will definately get better and be worth it if you decide this is something you want to pursue further. I always call the first month "H*LL" month! Just be patient with the puppy and yourself, and you will be fine. Wishing you the best...

 

[rsjenni]

"everything now and the occasional sit on his butt during a walk and not want to move"

This may be because you are walking him too long? (if that is the case) litte young pups can tire easily when walking too long outside on the leash. Don't expect him/her to be great at it for a long time, Austin as 6 months and rips my arm off on the leash. Of course this can be cured with patients and training for both of you.
It is very tough raising a puppy, I too wondered why in there world I could have waited another year or so. but then when they are sleeping you sit there and play with their little jowels, or when you get home and they are sooo excited to see you, ...its getting me teary just thinking about not having him. It will all be worth it! Don't be afraid to ask any questions here, lord knows I asked some dumb ones but if you are a first time puppy owner, You wouldn't know if you didn't ask. So ask away! If you keep him/her, enjoy because they are little angels (most of the time *wink wink)

 

[evanb]

Well I took him to the Vet this weekend and the Doc said he is super healthy. He is now 11 weeks old and is 19lbs. It seems now he is sleeping better in his crate although every once in awhile he starts crying when I put him in their during the daytime. His potty habits which seemed good at first seem to have gotten worse. yesterday He was playing all day, let outside many times and for no reason after being let back in he decides to go #1 and #2 on his bed which sits in the living room. This was for no reason at all, he was let out many times, he was being supervised so he had someone with him, it does not make sense. Then later in the day I let him out, he pees outside and then comes back inside after his walk and turns around and pees on the floor inside. I think he knows that it is bad since he cowers after he does it, I am at the point know that when I think of how much I enjoy having him, the time I am pissed off and annoyed is greater.

I was set on keeping him last week, its seems to be a day to day thing. If I do decide to get rid of him, is it wrong to ask for $$ or is it best to just give him away with everythign I bought for him? I am not sure what I will do, but was curious if its wrong to ask for $$

 

[KazzMan]

You can't possibly think he would be potty trained after just a couple of weeks. You must praise or reward him when he goes potty outside. It took a couple of months before Jackson didn't have any accidents. Puppies do require a lot of attention and maybe it isn't for you. If you do want to give him up you should return it to the breeder you got him from, and I think it would be wrong if you asked for your money back. You made the mistake, not the breeder, plus they will have to find another home for the puppy and possibly retrain.

 

[Lolita]

I have a 4.5 month old who I went through this with. You just have to be consistant. She is now 100% potty trained and is at the point where I can ask her... "do you have to go pee?" and she says yes by barking. If she does not bark - she does not have to go. Same with poop. However, the only way she got this was by me going out with her over and over and over and saying good pee, good poop. When she made a mistake inside I would say bad pee or poop in a stern voice and put her outside while I cleaned up her mess. I never hit her or yelled. Any dog will cower if they see you get upset.

About giving up your dog... if you cannot keep him I would recommend you locate your local boxer rescue and ask if they can take him. They will place him in a good home that they personally evaluated. They will also make sure he gets neutered. I think a puppy that young would be easy to place. I do not think you should charge for your puppy because that is not what is important. What is important is that he go to a good home with people that are going to take care of him and are committed to keeping him. Not just to someone with the money to buy him. It would be horrible if they ended up having to rehome him too. At least with rescue, the organization takes them back if it does not work out in the new home he is adopted into.