New memeber of our family

[Glenda]

Many of you know I lost my precious "Lady" dog in February. My little Bichon is 15 years old and is fadding fast. I had said I wasn't going to get another dog for a long time. WRONG! ! My grandson left for college and his girlfriend had gave him a boxer for his birthday last year, well he couldn't take it with him so guess who got the dog? I don't know if any of you have been around boxer's or not. I haven't. I got him last Wednesday. This dog is the most skiddish dog I have ever seen in my life. He won't come to you at all. You can't catch him if he ever gets loose and he has several times. I did buy a large used 6x9 chain link dog pen for him. I wanted to pen him up until he got used to staying here on the farm. Within two hours he had got out three times. He acutually dug through the fence. My husband worked about two hours wirring down the fence all the way around. After working for three hours to catch him after I got off work at 11:30 at night I got him back in the fence at 1:00 am. He stayed that night in the garage. Hopefully he couldn't get out of there! The next day he dug a tunnel under the fence. I just happened to catch him before he went through, so nevertheless this tunnel got filled up with large rocks. I bought a lease so I could walk him, well he has broke two leases so far. He pulls on them and they won't retrack. He really is a sweet dog. He loves to be loved and petted. Last Wednesday when I got him I sit in the pen with him all afternoon. I was determined that me and this dog was going to bond!

Today at 7:00 I took him for his walk. If anything it's getting me some much needed exercise. We walk about a mile out in our field. I mowed a walking trail yesterday so I wouldn't have to walk through the fresh cut hay. Today for the first time he walked without pulling me. I've also taught him to sit when I stop. He really is a very smart dog. One time I wasn't paying attention and I happen to drop the lease and off he ran with the lease and handle dragging behind him. I thought "oh great!" But he stopped because the lease flying behind him was scaring him to death. I told him to stay and I walked right up to him. Just maybe he is finally getting used to me. I feel he has been mistreated or kicked at or something to make him so scared of people. I'm going to get him neutered this Thursday so hopefully this will calm him down. Has anyone else here had expereince with Boxer's.? I know nothing about their tempermanent. By the way I have never heard him bark. Sometimes I don't think he can hear very well, or maybe he just hears what he want to here. (kinda like my husband!) He'll whine a little bit after I put him back in his pen but never bark. Isn't that strange?

Well enough of the dog story. I'm sorry it was so long but that's what has been going on in my life this past week.

 

[escargome]

Sorry Glenda I don't know much about Boxer's. However, my son got a Rottweiler from a woman who stated without a doubt that that dog could not be trained and that she barked at everything and hated men with hats. Well to make a long story short Roxie (that's what my son named her) has been with us for about 2 years now. And she is the best behaved dog I have ever had in my home. So while I can't speak for the temperment of your Boxer I can affirm that love and patience will go a long way. I pray that he falls in love with you and becomes your very best friend.

 

[tobagotwo]

Glenda, I grew up with boxers, and have had five during my life. They are indoor dogs, despite their size. They are highly emotionally bonded with their owners, and usually adore children. They're big babies. They can't take cold or heat, so the pen would need to be a sometimes thing. They are diabolically clever, and are escape artists of enormous talent. Until they're two, they'll chew everything you own. Then, when you're ready to shoot them, they suddenly grow up and are entirely trustworthy from that point on.

My "Ruffy," from when I was growing up, chewed through a cage used for transporting circus lions in the airport in Cincinatti, when we were moving. We were called to the desk about her escape, and didn't know where to start, as she had been driven to the baggage area, and couldn't reasonably sniff her way back. We looked down the hallway, and there she was, in the middle of the airport, running toward us, lickety-split.

Best wishes,

 

[kfay]

Glenda, I've never owned a boxer but used to house sit for a family quite frequently who had one. He was the sweetest dog! I agree with Bob about them being inside dogs. That dog would be glued to my side from the minute I arrived at their house until I left. At night, he would come and jump on the bed and want to snuggle.

Give him some time, he'll steal your heart!

Kim

 

[tobagotwo]

Very tough to keep them locked up away from their people, as it's against their very nature. That's why they're great escape artists. Much better to have him by you, and teach him to be responsible for staying with you. Fortunately, they're suckers for treats.

Here's a trick that worked for me, although it sounds completely stupid. They love to run off for a jaunt and take their sweet time coming back when they're young. Obviously, that's something you don't want. Although I couldn't get one of my dogs to come when she got on the loose (and there is no way you can ever catch them - they're like deer), she would invariably respond to the "sit" command. Then I could walk up to her and take her home by the collar without anyone being mad: no losers.

My dogs have always slept on my bed, if they wanted to.

Best wishes,

 

[Bina]

Glenda, congrats on the new dog.
There is some very accurate info here:
http://www.pets.ca/breedprofiles/a/boxer/b18.htm

 

[lb151]

Glenda, I grew up with boxers, and have had five during my life. They are indoor dogs, despite their size. They are highly emotionally bonded with their owners, and usually adore children. They're big babies. They can't take cold or heat, so the pen would need to be a sometimes thing. They are diabolically clever, and are escape artists of enormous talent. Until they're two, they'll chew everything you own. Then, when you're ready to shoot them, they suddenly grow up and are entirely trustworthy from that point on.

My "Ruffy," from when I was growing up, chewed through a cage used for transporting circus lions in the airport in Cincinatti, when we were moving. We were called to the desk about her escape, and didn't know where to start, as she had been driven to the baggage area, and couldn't reasonably sniff her way back. We looked down the hallway, and there she was, in the middle of the airport, running toward us, lickety-split.

Best wishes,

All this is so very true. I grew up with them and so did my sons. They are indoor dogs and oh so loyal!! There is no better pet,,in my opinion,,,lol

They are known as tumor dogs,so always be on the look out for bumps or knots on his body
ENJOY!!!!!

 

[Freddie]

Glenda, I don't want to sound mean and rude, but go buy yourself an 1 1/2" or 2" leather lead (leash) that is 6 feet long with a braided end at the buckle and at the wrist hole. Throw away those Flex/retractable Leads, I find those most useful when training a dog for trials and retrieving. Your new family member won't be able to break a leather.
JMHO

 

[hensylee]

we have a big hound mix and she was mistreated before we got her and she's the most docile dog you will ever see. She chases other dogs and the deer off the property and barks when a stranger passes by out drive way out yonder. o/w she never barks or growls, is so gentle with everyone. We also got a shih-tzu-poo in Feb. She never barks either, unless she is arguing with my daughter or me and then she barks like crazy. when we walk her out in the property she is scared of everything and if something suddenly scares her, she ALMOST barks but hasn't made it yet. She is 8 months old now and guess she will never get the hang of it. Maybe your doggie will be the same.

Enjoy. 'they' say when you lose one, get another one. My daughter in law and son didn't get one; they got TWO. They have no children so these are their stand ins.

 

[njean]

I'm glad to hear that you decided to get yourself another doggie.

I know it's so hard to convince yourself that it's time to move on & fall in love all over again with another pup after being so heartbroken from the loss of one.

Your lady will always be in your heart & she wouldn't want you to be lonely when your little Bishon decides it's time to join her.

Have fun with you new doggie & I hope you two bond real tight soon!

 

[Glenda]

Oh, I've already fell in love with this dog. He is so sweet and such a good dog.I think he's really a smart dog. It's 12:20 pm and we just got back from our late night walk out in field around the barn. There's light all out there so I can see realy well. He always is so full and has to potty really bad by the time I get home from work. He won't potty in his pen at all. In fact he won't potty in the yard, he always wants to go in the hay field so that's where we go. We walk down by the pond, which he usually jumps in and takes a swim.

My husband absolutley doesn't want him in the house. We'll see! ! Our big garage is really warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's well insulated and Lady's big bed is out there and he likes to sleep in it. I'll turn him lose when I can trust him to come to me, but before then he'll stay in the pen and will walk with me with me on the lease. I'm getting him neutered on Thursday so hopefully that will calm him down quite a bit.

Well better sign out. I'm about to fall off my seat I'm so tired tongiht. We were really busy at the hospital. Several surgeries didn't get done until late.

Thank you all for your suggestions with "Kuno." I'm sure it will help.