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So are you ready for a Boxer Dog?
So are you ready for a Boxer Dog?
If you're thinking about bringing a Boxer Dog into your
family, learn about what to expect from a Boxer.
by Kathy Burns-Millyard
December 17, 2004
The answer is “no” if you are the type who mostly leave your
dog on a chain. Boxers require much of your love, attention
and companionship although they are easy to take care of.
One Boxer-lover even said to never get one as a pet if you
work full time!
Another point to consider is that the costs for food, training,
grooming, medical care, toys and other supplies do add up.
Still, for many years now, the Boxer has ranked in the top
10 of favorite purebreds by the American Kennel Club, numbering
about 35,000 Boxers registered in 2003.
Boxers Crave Attention
Boxers need constant attention and love to be babied. Treat
your Boxer as your best friend and play, play, play with him.
One three-month old Boxer loves her bath more when the owner
sings to her. Be it playing, talking or singing to them or
taking them for a walk, Boxers simply love the attention.
Shower them with love, affection and attention as well as
some treats.
These keep Boxers happy. Left to their own devices, Boxers
can become very destructive when lonely, bored and ignored.
One is known to jump over 6-footer fences if the owner is
gone for too long.
Give extra space when you have to leave Boxers alone over
extended period. They don’t like to be locked in a room. One
owner gives a 4-year old male Boxer the run of the hall stairs,
landing and its own bedroom and the dog is much happier and
not destructive at all.
When you have to leave Boxers alone, you better make sure
they have a toy they really like or they’ll find something
to do that you probably really won’t like.
Destructive Streak in Boxers
Boxers are too smart and strong for their own good, and if
they’re bored and undisciplined they can be a disaster in
the house.
That is why obedience training is important, in order to
prevent the destruction of too many of your belongings. Training
makes a happier dog.
The accepted temperament for Boxers rules out aggression,
hyperactivity and extreme shyness in the breed. You want to
have these under control in your pet.
Experts suggest that, when adopting a Boxer, you should at
least check the parent dogs for these undesirable traits before
even looking at the puppies.
Aggression
One owner said: “I love my Boxer girl, but she can be a terror
sometimes and could get really hyper to where she’d attack
us. I’d hate to think what all she’d get into without any
training at all!”
By the way, there are more accounts, from owners, of aggression
among their female Boxers, especially towards other female.
Hyperactive
Boxers have high play drive and they need their exercise
or they’d get excitable and destructive.
Play, play and play with them. Give them extra space especially
when you have to leave them alone for long period. Tire them
out with long walks and play sessions but within a fenced
area or on a leash.
When going for their walks, opt for body harness if you have
a Boxer that pulls or strays. Harness is the answer to the
Boxer slipping out of the collar. The chain-harness combo
looks good as well as trains the Boxer to walk without pulling
or straying.
Extreme shyness (not to be mistaken with independence)
It’s critical to socialize your Boxers. When they are still
puppies, take them to public places like a pet store so they
won’t be so shy.
Begin training in an area that is familiar to your Boxer,
where there is minimum distraction. Once both of you are skilled
at several obedience commands, take him to practice at different
areas with increasing amount of distractions present.
This may seems like starting all over again, but it’s worth
the effort. One family took theirs to the local mini-mart
and practiced obedience training right outside, where there
were distractions from people.
“Strangers came over and petted him and gave him treats.
He met all kinds of people and learned to follow commands
despite the distractions, and is a better dog today.”
- Kathy Burns-Millyard
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