Hello From AZ

[Azchief]

Hello everyone,

I will be bringing home my new boxer puppy Rosco on Feb 1st. So I have been browsing over all the information I could find and came across this great forum. I hope to learn alot and hopefully share. I have always wanted a boxer but never had the opportunity and after losing my dog Sasha a rescue I had for 16 years I was unsure I would ever get another dog. But I have decided now that I want to get the dog I always wanted a boxer. I am excited and nervous as it has been a long time since I have had a puppy. So I'm looking forward to some good times and trying to get ready to have the patience to start again with my baby boxer.

Thanks,

Todd

[Mgibs]

Welcome! Where in AZ are you located? We are central Phoenix and have an 8 mo old Male flashy fawn boxer. My advice to you about boxers and puppies in general is to read ready read. This forum is the perfect place to come and learn! And you have til Feb to get ready so that helps a lot. But not to deter you, are you sure a boxer is the right dog for you? My parents are vets, I've had many diff breeds of dogs, helped in the show ring, and to train. Studied and read up a lot on this breed, and nothing really prepared me for what I was getting into. Lol. They need A LOT of exercise! Prepare to go on many many walks. We go for two 1.5 mi walks a day, and he still plays ball and runs like crazy for 2 hrs at night. I wish we lived in the country, because they are NOT city dogs. We make it work, and a lot do, but it's not ideal. And in the summer when it's 116 here, he can't exercise much because its just too hot for them. They are also the most stubborn dog you will EVER encounter. Be firm, and be consistent, and affirm that you are boss from day one. They do talk back, they do look at you when u punish them and go back to doing what they were punished for. they are extremely independent and try see what they can get away with ALL time. They slobber, will eat furniture, pretty much anything in sight - and not just as a puppy. lol they are very bright dogs and need to not only be with their humans constantly, but they also need to be given jobs to do or they get bored. And a bored boxer is a vert bad boxer. They do boxer burns, or as we call them, sprints and figure 8s in our house, hitting everything in their way. As far as training, make sure you crate train right away, from the very beginning, that helps tremendously with potty training and over all training. Be consistent and firm and reward them with positive reinforcement - these dogs will NOT respond without it- they just rebel more. And as far as food goes, make sure u feed a high quality, grain free diet if you choose kibble. Quality recommended foods include Orijen, Acana, Blue Buffalo- Freedom or Wilderness line, taste of the wild, or wellness core.


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[Mgibs]

As far as everything goes, just be patient. That is the key. It is so much better now, but when we started out, I had many nights where I cried myself to sleep. I love this guy more than anything now, but this breed is a challenge and not for everyone. Just be patient. And be patient with their food. The food you think you have spent hours upon hrs and days upon days researching may not sit well with your puppy. It took us about 6 mo and 4 diff foods before we found something that worked for our guy. They have extremely sensitive stomachs and are prone to be gassy as well, so it just takes patience to find what works for them. They are also very very prone to allergies and cancers, so that is why I say grain free foods.


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[Azchief]

Thank you for the information. I'm in Mesa myself. I am ready and prepared for the effort it will take to train my new puppy to be the active well adjusted adult I want him to be.We have a good sized yard and as I walk daily already I will enjoy having a companion once again to join in. I also have a wife and four kids who will enjoy exercising with the dog. I am researching everything I can find and am already discussing with the family how and what we will do to be consistent in our training family wide. It will be hard work and I look forward to the gratification of having a well trained and adjusted dog. I have been to the pet club right down the road to look at the selection of quality foods and am prepared for the expense of providing what my dog requires to be healthy.

What I have had some trouble on finding and if you or anyone else can answer or point me in the direction of good information is I'm interested in knowing at what time frame is best to neuter as I have found conflicting information all over the Internet and also when the dog can start going on my extended walks with me. Of course these are questions I will ask my vet when we go to his first appointments when I get him as well.

Thank you for your response and warm welcome!

[Katielovesleo]

Welcome! I have a Rosco too! congrats on your new baby


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[af_wx_wife]

Hi & Welcome from TX. Congrats on your upcoming fur baby.

[Kamo]

Welcome from me and my girls in Canada!!

[Gypsiemouse]

Welcome from NJ

[Mgibs]

Awwww that's good. I'm glad ur pup will have a nice big back yard and kids to play with. We don't have any kids yet. As far as the neutering goes, you will find a lot of conflicting opinions and facts, even on here. Esp on here actually. Some Vets recommend doing it between 5-6 mo of age. My mom will not neuter, however until at least 8-9 mo of age due to the fact she does want them to be sexually mature beforehand. She feels as though they maintain certain puppy characteristics their whole lives, and don't fully mature if they are neutered too early, but I'm not sure what truth is in that honestly. Many people on this forum caution neutering before 12-18 mo of age due to conflicting reports of being more prone to cancer if neutered earlier than one year of age. On the other hand, once they do reach sexual maturity, they may start to mark or become temperamental. So it's really a coin flip- I think as far as those behaviors are concerned, it's more of a training issue. My guy learned from week one that he was not allowed to hump, and has not since. And I know a lot of people who do have intact males who don't mark. I think it has a lot to do with being vigilant and making sure the boundaries are made as far as marking and behavior, etc. Personally, I am kind of torn on this issue. My guy just turned 8 mo and will be neutered, by my mom, back home in Iowa, sometime between Christmas & New Years. It's free to us and I know it's the best care he could ever possible get by being in her hands, but part of my is getting cold feet and wondering if we should wait til he's @ a year. He is not marking or lifting his leg yet, and I just want him to develop properly. I've heard, but not personally seen, that dogs neutered early will be lankier and not as stocky or as filled out as ones neutered later. But I probably shouldn't worry, because at 8 mo he is already 64 lbs. lol his daddy was 90 so I probably shouldn't worry about him filling out or getting bigger. Lol
Whatever you choose is absolutely your choice. As with everything else, there are pros and cons with everything. I would say speak w ur vet, do ur research and don't let anyone try to convince you into what you should do, that is your decision. As far as the cancer thing- I have not read the material that have been pointed out in previous old postings on here, but my feeling is, so many things cause cancer, and the very point of genetics is in my opinion the biggest culprit with backyard breeders and not testing etc. This breed is so prone to cancer and cancer at very young ages that I believe genetics overrides everything.


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[Mgibs]

I also think how can you really know what causes cancer? The air we breath down here is absolutely toxic. We live in a big city full of people - lots of people in combined spaces, full of pollution and crap. Full of dust. What is in our water? What about the soil? Many people get lung cancer every year that don't smoke. What about breast cancer. You can take every precaution there is and somethng can still happen. My personal opinion is how can you tell that neutering at a certain age specifically without any other factors controlled causes cancer? Some people absolutely believe and will post evidence that it does. Others will post evidence that it doesn't. It's a very controversial topic. Just do what you feel is right


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