What to do...

[kit02]

You are describing a typical puppy. You are expecting way too much out of an 11 week old baby. It took many months before Owen was fully house broken. From the way you are talking you are not totally into having the puppy and that isn’t fair to him, he deserves a home with someone who is willing to commit to him 100%, train him and love him and you don’t seem to want to do that. You are just focusing on all the ‘negative’ things which aren’t even negative IMO. I would try and talk to the breeder you got him from or Boxer rescue and not worry about the money.

 

[Elyse]

It seems that you have not been ejnoying all the wonderful things about puppyhood and instead focusing on the work. It is work but the reward is far greater than any amount of work. A puppy is a full time job and it is abuse to not provide your baby with the propper time and love and care. If you feel you can not provide for him the way he deserves to be cared for, I think you owe it to find him a home where his he will get this. And yes, I think it is very wrong to ask for $$. I am sure his breeder will be willing to take him back and that is the best place for him to ensure a loving home. He should in no way go to the highest bidder.

 

[kragbax]

I spent years waitingto get a boxer puppy. I always had dogs growing up, and I really wanted to give my own kids the same opprotunity(and a small bit of responsibility) with having a dog. Because we were living in a house that was too small for the four of us (my wife and I and two children - plus the cat and hamster, lizards, etc.) I held off from obtaining a puppy. About 18 months ago we moved into our new house, complete with lots of land (and privacy!). I started looking for a boxer pup again.

Anyhow - all the reading, all the waiting, all the wanting, not to mention having had two children (in which I was the one waking up to feed/change EVERY night, allowing my wife to sleep!), still did not prepare me adequately for having my little Champ!

I obtained him almost 3 weeks ago at 12 weeks old. He was crate trained (in so much that he was comfortable in his crate), but not in the least housebroken. Within a week I was (not literally) pounding my head wondering why in the heck did I actually want to put myself through this?! It's very, very tough to raise a puppy well. Lots of training, persistance, love and affection. Now, in about the third week of ownership, I've finally come to grips with it all. His accidents in the house? My fault. Reading aside, I simply had to understand that this puppy is, in fact - a puppy! A baby! Of course he's going to have accidents - what baby doesn't?! If he has an accident, it's because I didn't take him out when he needed to go out. I've learned to take him out for a quick 'bathroom break' often, even at night. I'll wake up two or three times during the night, slip on my coat and some boots, and take him out (me half asleep!). He does his business - and all is well!

Does he still have some accidents? Sure - but not nearly as many. And it's my 'neglect' in not paying close enough attention to his 'signs' of having to 'go' that's to blame.

The kids love him, even my wife - who honestly wasn't gung ho about getting the dog - loves him. He took fine to the cat - who incidently doesn't love him - but definitely tolerates him!

My advise for potential new owners (based on a whopping few weeks of boxer puppy ownership - so take it for what it's worth!)? Read everything you can on dogs, boxers, and puppies before you take the leap. Plan on lots of bathroom walks (meaning some lost/broken sleep for many weeks). If you take the plunge, reward consistantly for good behavior.
A human child takes roughly 3 years to fully potty train. Taking 6 months or so with a puppy by comparison should be easy
We really shouldn't expect miracles - just love!

-Krag

 

[Elyse]

Krag,
Wow, that was well put!!!!

 

[Lolita]

Return to breeder

I would only recommend returning him to the breeder if he came from a responsible breeder to begin with. I do not recall reading anything about where he came from but could you give us some info about that? If it was a BYB or a puppy mill, they probably will not take him back and rescue would be a better option. If he came from a responsible breeder then Elyse is correct in saying that he should go back there and hopefully he can be rehomed to a person who is committed to taking care of him forever.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

I must say that I am completely impressed with kragbax's remarks. I must admit that my opinion of men went up from reading his post. Women are usually the maternal type to nourish babies and puppies and now I am hearing evanb not having the patience and then you have this man that clearly has his head completely on straight. The way he explained it is exactly the way it is. Six months to housebreak a puppy is by far shorter then three years for a human child and when you take in a puppy you are basically taking on the responsibility of raising another child. Puppies deserve the love and attention and patience that it takes to raise them, they don't know what they have done wrong until you train them and you do that with love and positive reinforcement, by having a puppy cower when it has wet on the floor tells me that the patience and positive reinforcement is lacking. Please do yourself and the poor pup a favor and either return to the breeder or your local rescue. A puppie's life is only as good as the owner decides to make it, think about that.

 

[fordraceing_]

well

my pup is 10 weeks old tomarrow, and i don't think, well i know i havn't had a good night sleep yet, she hasn't went in the house in 4 days, i work full time i go home during the week and let her out of her crate every 3hrs, (some times she poops and pees in her crate) but when im not and shes out i don't have any problems. i take her out every 2hrs, after every meal/drink every nap and every play session. but she hasn't told me she had to i just take her out on a lesh and we stay out until she goes.
im at work now and can't hardley stay awake, but at the same time i can't wait to get out of work to take her for a walk.
my opion is that its LOTS of work, but if your allready thinking about giving up on her then take her to a boxer rescue because i don't think your being fair, and if you didn't expect this is how a pup would act then i don't think your ready for a dog period. im sorry if i sound rude but i just don't think your being fair to the pup.

joe

 

[kragbax]

Thanks!

I must say that I am completely impressed with kragbax's remarks. I must admit that my opinion of men went up from reading his post.

Thank you for the kind words! Perhaps I can relate a bit more to puppy's, because I know full well that men are also dogs j/k

Just another potential piece(s) of advice regarding potty training that I've found useful.
If you dog messes the same spot more than once (crate possibly as well if he chooses to enter it before messing - it's probably because the scent of a previous mess is still there. A dogs sence of smell is many times greater then ours (especially mine, what with year round allergies - sniffle, blow, sniffle some more!). He can smell so many things you or I can't begin to. Dogs also can tend to re-use the same bathroom spot repeatedly (as we do!) - which on the one hand can make "yard training" easier - just take him to the same spot every single time to go! - but can make house training harder! Be sure to clean and disenfect any accidents VERY thoroughly (and don't use ammonia!)!

Also, my pup often wants to run back inside immediately after going potty outside. I've learned to attempt to keep him out (with encouragement) a bit longer. A surprising number of times within just a few minutes of his wanting to return into the house, he'll stop walking/playing and make a bee-line over to 'use the rest room' once again. Then I know he's golden for a few hours

Finally, re-read some posts/info on using his crate to your advantage in housetraining. Typically a pup/dog won't mess his crate (provided it's been 'deoderized') and can typically "hold it in" for something like up to 2 hours + 1 hour for each month of age. So a typical 3 month old should be able to sucessfully stay mess free in her crate for up to 5 hours (so I've read). If the dog is having problems by continually/repeatedly urinating, possibly consider either the quantity of water she's drinking; or perhaps there's a medical reason.

Best of luck to you!

-Krag

 

[Ciscobxr]

Thank you for the kind words! Perhaps I can relate a bit more to puppy's, because I know full well that men are also dogs j/k

I have to agree, after reading your post my opinion of men went up, but down about my husband, what a lazy butt he is!
Anyway, I would also recomend boxer rescue. The poor pup has probly had it rough if you have "enjoyed him but the time you are pi$$ed off and annoyed is greater." He needs someone looking out for HIS best interests, not money.

 

[RVsBoxer]

Its more biting at everything now and the occasional sit on his butt during a walk and not want to move.

I just had to laugh when I read this - Wilson did the same things! Drove me nuts with the biting .

I too was quite overwhelmed at first and wondered if I was ready afterall. It really changed my life getting Wilson but in a good way. I sort of became more disciplined, and I learned about a thing called patience. I have a great time with Wilson and he cracks me up atleast 10 times a day - he's awesome and really is worth it.

Wait it out a little longer before deciding to give him away, it will get MUCH better once he is housebroken, gets over his biting and has more manners.

Of course he will NOT automatically get better - you must start training him immediately. Enroll him in a puppy class, that will help you a lot.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.