So, are 2 better than 1???

[lillysdad]

If you've read my other posts you know I am expecting a pup in about 4 weeks. She will be the lone animal in the house. I raised Lilly as the lone animal in the house and it went very well. My partner is telling me that we should probably go ahead and get two so she has a brother to play and grow with. The unfortunate part is that my partner is a self proclaimed non-animal person, and therefore loves Boxers, but does not expect them to be treated as family members. Lilly was a family member to me and therefore was treated like a princess. So, if we were to have two Boxers, the feeding schedules, training and overall extra love would come from me. Don't get me wrong, he loved Lilly and gave her lots of attention and care, but it was not the extreme degree that I did. So my question is, if we did get two Boxers, and I was the person that kept up with the feeding schedule, training, walks, etc... would it be difficult? Is there anyone out there that has multiple Boxers and raises them pretty much solo? Part of me would like to have a 2nd Boxer in the house, but I fear that the first 4 years would be really hard when they are at their most active.
Your experiences and thoughts? I see based on your signatures that many of you have 2, 3 and even more in your household!

[winnie]

Hi Keith,

My first boxer, Mo, was our only dog for 12 years. He was king of the castle if you will. After he passed, we got Winnie, a senior rescue, who we just lost on December 6. We actually got Winnie a little brother last October. Although I am married, I do 90% of the feeding, walking, bathing, vets office...etc. My husband likes to play with them. It WAS lot of work with two, but mine were at totally different activity levels. I think if you get them TOGETHER it will be much easier. Porter is HORRIBLE on a leash, so I would have to walk one, come home and take the other. I think if they learn together it might be much easier. That being said....I am trying to find a brother for Porter. Porter is 17 mos old now and so EXTREMELY active. I think a young pup will make things easier for me cause they can tire each other out. It is twice the vet bills, twice the food bills, twice the accidents in the house. I don't know if that helps but many here have multiples and I think I'm getting a little whitle lady if I can find one.

[WholeLottaBoxers]

The good thing about two is that there are times when they play and entertain (and wear out) each other! Puppies are a lot of work, but I think one is a little harder because they get bored and want attention most of the time. I didn't get much else accomplished when Lillie was a puppy because if I wasn't playing with her or working on training, she was trying to get my attention and then getting into things when I wasn't right there keeping her occupied. Once we got Jake, they would wrestle and play and that freed me up to tend to things around the house. Between Jake and the family, she was thoroughly worn out by the end of the day and she'd sleep.

We have a whole herd now. The ones that are young and active play together and the old ones just curl up somewhere and sleep. There's definitely more sleeping than playing going on at our house these days. LOL Our two high-energy dogs are Tucker and Piper, but Bono and Max occasionally jump in for a tumble or a round of boxer burns through the yard. Everyone else is fairly low key.

[crazyboxerlove]

Hello there - congratulations on your new pup! As a mom to 2 Boxers - 2 are not always better than one! My 2 are littermates and we unfortunately bought them from a BYB. Any reputable breeder will not let you take home 2 from the same litter. We are lucky that Daisy and Duke are very socialized and they are submissive to my hubby and I being their "pack leaders". Keep in mind that they are small right now but they will grow - 2 puppies means double the expenses in vet bills, food, grooming etc. Not to mention double the time trying to potty train! It was so hard getting them both on the same schedule!!!! It felt like I was up every 30 minutes taking them out in the middle of the night to potty. And they copy each other...in all things and get into double the mischief! What I found with Daisy and Duke if one catches something, the other one will eventually get it. The advantages are they do keep each other company and they are very bonded! The do everything together . We try to do individual things with them (i.e. walk them one at a time) You have to be ok treating each dog as an individual or they will be more bonded to each other than to you and your hubby. If the only reason is to keep the each other company...I would suggest getting an older Boxer like adopting from the shelter, because the older Boxer can teach the younger and you get to give them company. That is, if you really want two dogs. If I could do it over again, this is what I would have done. Adopted an older Boxer first (1 - 2 years old) get them acclimated to my home then adopted a puppy.

Now, don't get me wrong...they are double the fun! They are like my comedic duo. LOL and would not trade them for the world, but the first year was a very hard year raising 2 littermates. It can be done, but it takes double the commitment. I am not trying to talk you out of it, but I wanted to make sure that your eyes are open getting into it! It is definitely getting better, but they HAVE to be on a schedule or I would go bonkers! The schedule is my saving grace!

Good luck!

[crazyboxerlove]

Oh yes, I wanted to add that I do 95% of the work with my furbabies. Walk, vet, feeding, potty schedule, training...etc. My hubby pretty much just plays with them....LOL!

[2 wiggle butts]

I am going threw divorce an I have both of my boxers with me my roommate dosnt like them so its just me an I haven't had any issues do far its not that hard

[Mom2Titan]

we have two boys, littermates and they will be two in March. It was my hubby's idea on getting the second one cause I only 'signed up' for one. like the above posts there are the pros and the cons to having two puppies at the same time. We have worked very hard - VERY HARD! We have done obedience school to the third level - treat training. we are now doing more training with a different trainer using another approach - soft touch, body language and are now enjoying the benefits ; whew! The training never stops, we need to reinforce everything we have all learned but the benefits are two wonderul dogs who I love dearly and I look forward to the end of my day and spending time with my boys. My Husband does do alot for the boys, feeding, walking, going to training school but I find I do almost all of the 'chores' as hubby works longer hours and some weekends. I would research and keep asking questions cause if you don't have someone on board to help it can get overwhelming. I still take them out for separate walks as I feel they need to have their indiviual times with me and I also have them in daycare - 1 day each on separate days

[heaterfj]

I have three boxers, they do fine, you just need to have a consistent schedule. This is important! I work, they know my schedule, and they are keeping me to it even though I'm off with a broken foot, lol.

[2manydogs]

You also need to look at finances. Double the food, double the vet bills. I would start with one and then maybe add another one at a later point.

[BayernBoxer]

I loved having two.

However I always treated the older one (who happend to be more of a leader) as the primary one. Wait, that sounds terrible. I treated the first one as the leader. She got fed first, was let out first, she was put on a lead first, she always got a treat first, got into the car first...

Some people think it is better to treat them equally. I had to do what worked for our home. Treating the female as the leader and the younger male as 2nd on the totem pole meant we never had fights. They never fought. They would play and play. Wrestle and chase each other for hours. I love watching boxers wrestle with each other and collaps in tall green grass for a nap. Sweet memories. They were best friends. And he adored her. She was a wonderful leader and he a great follower. Wven when they would have chew toys she got her first. And sometimes she would chew hers for a little bit and then walk over and take his. He would cry a bit but let her and then take the one she abandoned. I never interfered. I let them work it out. She led and he followed. I was truly lucky to have this work out so nicely.

I will definitely get two again. Not at the same time. For me that would be a disaster as I need to focus on one at a time in puppyhood for training. Or if I adopt an adult I need to arrive the first and work with the first to train and later arrive a 2nd into our home. I know some households that wait to see which of the two or more end up being the leader of the pack. I think whatever works as long as they know you are the one who is truly leading the family.

Is two better than one? Most Definitely!!!!!