Meet the newest member of my family

[White92]

He's a 9 month old Boxer. My brother-in-law had him, sent him to obedience school and then decided that his family is just not a dog family. They gave him to me for free if I drove out and picked him up. So I drove to Colorado the next day (10 hours) stayed the night and drove straight home. (This was last week, so I missed the Super Bowl.) He's awesome and very well behaved. I don't know what they were thinking.



There is only one issue though. If anyone can give me some advice I would sure appreciate it. When I come home from work at night, he is so excited to see me that he starts peeing all over. Is this a phase that he's going through? I've had dogs my whole life and have never experienced this. Is there any way to stop this? Any suggestions?

 

[zahntech]

What were they thinking?...hummmm..prolly something like this...

"man this dog is peeing everywhere when we come home, let's find somebody to take him away"

My family bred dogs for years so I have some experience with dogs, your dog is still young....he may grow out of it....if he doesn't your in for some rough times ahead.

 

[steveny]

Some dogs do the pee thing when they are alone for a long time and other dogs don't. All the labs I have had and currently have do this sometimes, not all the time. Other dogs, like my shepard never pee in the house. The shepard is a low key dog that just lays around most of the time, even more now that he is 16 years old. I can leave him home for as much as 18 hours and he WILL NOT pee in the house. I very rarely leave the house for that long but I have had things pop up and have left him holding it for that long. Even if the other dog, lab, does pee on the floor the shepard won't.
Labs can be such a PITA sometimes. Boxers and dalmation are the same PITAS that labs are.

 

[Hrant]

Get that puppy a playmate to keep it company. Boxers like attention and want to play.

I love Boxers and always wanted one ........ but my kids have an affinity towards cats ........ the meow factor :wink:

 

[nsxtasy]

If you're going to introduce a member of your family to us, you really ought to tell us his name!!!

I don't know the answer to the peeing thing. Any chance you can enter the house from your yard/back door and let him outside, so he's outside when he greets you and can run over and pee on something at that time?

 

[jlindy]

Get that puppy a playmate to keep it company. Boxers like attention and want to play.

I love Boxers and always wanted one ........ but my kids have an affinity towards cats ........ the meow factor :wink:

DO NOT get another one unless you want them constantly playing in your house driving you crazy and possibly destroying things. I am guessing that the average NSX owner is for the most part anal about their things just like they are with their cars. I have a boxer and we did the same thing getting a playmate and it was MUCH better without the second dog. They are extremely hyper dogs so as long as they get their exercise you shouldn't have anything to worry about, but a second dog just multiplies that hyperness.

About the peeing, does he run around the house lifting his left on everything when you come home or does he get so worked up that some squirts out? Lifting his leg is him trying to show dominance marking new territory. If some just squirts out from excitement, try crate training him. They won't go in the space where they sleep and if he is in the crate when you come home, then your problem should be solved. Keep the crate by the door in a laundry room or something and give him a minute to calm down before you let him out. After he calms down a bit, then let him out to go to the bathroom. Just make sure you don't get an enormous crate because then he will have enough room to do it on one side of the crate. The peeing could be a phase, but the crate will prevent the problem from becoming a habit and it will prevent other problems like being destructive from being left alone all day. Boxers can do a lot of damage. (just ask my wife and many pairs of her shoes) :wink: Just make sure you get him out for plenty of exercise.

Also, I got great results for training my boxer when using a pinch collar. Don't confuse a pinch collar with a choke collar. Pinch collars look scarier, but they don't do any damage to the vertebrate like the choke collars can do. If you correct your dog, you must do it within two seconds of the act or it is pointless to correct because they don't understand. They really are great dogs, but you just have to know what you are working with. Great with kids by the way as you can see my boxer is a jungle gym to my daughter and nephew.

 

[john@johnhudakracing]

Not too sure about the peeing thing, but I can say that on the open road, they learn how to lean into corners to retain balance when sitting up right in Sparco seats fairly quickly. Dogs dig NSX's, you'll have a life-long friend in no time... :biggrin:

 

[Hrant]

Before my comment gets out of context too far, let me clarify ...... according to all local reputable breeders, I have been told over and over that Boxers are not ideal inhouse pets especially if you have a relatively small house and leave the house most of the day to go to work. They do get hyper and like to play as was noted above.

Here in NorCal, the reputable breeders will not sell you a Boxer if you are going to leave the dog alone in the house by itself while you are at work. They will also not sell you one if you are planning to make it an outside dog by itself without a companion. Trust me I asked, several times ........ But those who have actual experiences can elaborate better with the surrounding parameters and I am sure will offer better advice. As I said, YMMV.

 

[comquat1]

I also suggest crate training. Don't feel bad about leaving him in there all day, many times dogs like to have a "den" to call their own and that's the purpose that the crate serves.

 

[White92]

Thanks for the responses guys! I guess I should clear a few thinks up. He is crate trained. It is pretty interesting. The obedience school that they sent him to is through the prison system in Colorado. A prisoner trained him. He kept a diary of everything they did 3 times a day for the whole time he was there. It's very interesting.

He knows how to sit and lay. When I fill his food and water bowls, he knows to sit until I tell him it's okay to eat. He won't come back inside the house until I tell him it's okay. It's all about him knowing who the Alpha male is so he behaves himself.

Like I said, he is crate trained. He will not relieve himself in there. He's not home all day by himself. My wife and daughter are there with him. When I come home, he gets so excited that he just pees. He doesn't lift his leg on anything, even outside, so I know he's not just trying to show me who's boss. It's more of a large dribble. I think I'm going to take it as him being an excited puppy. I think he might grow out of it.

He is an indoor dog and does great in the house. And we go outside and play and run around several times. There is a large field across the street from my house that he can go crazy in.

Oh! I can't believe I forgot to tell his name. It's Mojo. It's a little embarassing and I hated the name at first. Still do a little. They let their daughter name him. The funny part is that he was neutered about 2 weeks ago, so basically he lost his mojo.:biggrin:

 

[caz-nsx]

We recently got a Bassett Hound puppy. No over excited peeing problem from him. But, when we were in obedience training with him a couple other owners had your same problem. The trainer said not to act excited when YOU enter the house. Your excitment encourages the dogs. Just walk in, take off your coat, do your thing, then slowly acknowledge the dog and pet his head. Say good boy in your normal tone. Then let the dog out to do hi business and then back in for play time.

 

[Da Hapa]

First of all, congratulations. I'm a huge dog fan and I've found that our English Bulldog has added so much joy to our lives, I can't imagine life without him.

Boxers are very, very cool dogs. Great personality, great with kids, and beautiful animals.

I'm at work so I don't have access to all the dog books we bought when we were researching breeds, etc. but I do recall reading about a condition related to excitement that has some dogs involuntarily pee with excitement. There is a ton of great information online for Bulldogs and I have to assume that the same is true with another poplular breed like the Boxer. You might want to either head to Borders and do some old school research or simply spend a bit of time googling.

Good luck and again, congratulations. Give Mojo a nice ear scratch from his buddies at Prime.

 

[PAUL M]

Boxers are great dogs. My cousin has one. He looks mean but he is the biggest pussy ever.

 

[dnicho05]

Re: "Puddles" the boxer

Get used to the peeing. My parents had a boxer and my neighbor has a boxer, and both of them had bladder control problems for the first 4 to 5 years of their lives. Once they started getting older and slowing down the problem stopped.

Boxers rock, but are as dumb as a box of rocks. They like to bark constantly at everything, and are incredible diggers. So don't just toss him out in a fenced-in back yard, or he will be gone by the time you get home (by collection from animal control due to noise complaints, or by digging out).

Good Luck!:biggrin:

 

[clr1024]

Re: "Puddles" the boxer

Boxers rock, but are as dumb as a box of rocks. They like to bark constantly at everything, and are incredible diggers. So don't just toss him out in a fenced-in back yard, or he will be gone by the time you get home

Good Luck!:biggrin:

My girlfriend has a boxer, weimereiner(sp??) and two cats...yeah its a small farm...I am not even a cat person but her cats are pretty damn cool... but in any case the boxer NEVER barks, I have heard her bark maybe once and thats because she got a little jealous that I was petting another female (dog not my girlfriend). She is actually very bright, so is the weimereiner but he is attention needy still a nice dog, but a little high maintenance at times(weimereiner). The boxer short of my beloved late pug is the sweetest dog I have ever met. Also my neighbor has a boxer and she never barks either. She does dig though, well actually its not digging iso much as its just running up and down their yard when another dog comes over, that tears it up. The other dog instigates it though. Still I think boxers are great dogs would like to own one myself one day.

So to me the barking thing seems to be on a case by case basis.

Carl

 

[dnicho05]

Re: "Puddles" the boxer

...and she never barks...
Carl

The key word in your cases is SHE. You are correct, the females are less noisey and are easier to house train. White92 said "He's a 9 month old Boxer" indicating a male, and that is what I as characterizing - male boxers. The males are noiser, more hyper, and tend to have bladder control problems similar to Dachshunds.

http://www.boxerdognow.com/boxer-dog-training/housebreaking_your_boxer_dog/

 

[Da Hapa]

Re: "Puddles" the boxer

Get used to the peeing. My parents had a boxer and my neighbor has a boxer, and both of them had bladder control problems for the first 4 to 5 years of their lives. Once they started getting older and slowing down the problem stopped.

Boxers rock, but are as dumb as a box of rocks. They like to bark constantly at everything, and are incredible diggers. So don't just toss him out in a fenced-in back yard, or he will be gone by the time you get home (by collection from animal control due to noise complaints, or by digging out).

Good Luck!:biggrin:

I've never met a Boxer that barks a lot. That's odd.

But I have met quite a few that aren't unlike my beloved English Bulldog and aren't exactly the "sharpest tools in the shed".

 

[CDub]

I used to have a cocker that does exactly that. When I came home, he'll be so excited and rolled over and skirted all over himself.

Although I felt happy to see him, I had to restrain myself and just ignored him and do my things for the first 5 minutes. Once he cooled down, then I can play with him. At first I felt bad for not reciprocating the excitement, but I knew that it was the right thing to do. I can always make it up 5 minutes later.

 

[White92]

Yeas, that's odd. I've never once heard of a Boxer that barked alot, male or female. In fact, that's one of the positives that the breed is known for. Boxers are very sure of themselves. They don't yap and bark at every little thing. That's one of the reasons that kids can wrestle around with them and not be aggressive towards them. In fact, I never even knew what Mojo's bark sounded like until 2 days ago. He barked at the vacuum one time. I told him to stop and he did. He doesn't even bark at other dogs or even cats. He's never attempted to dig either. Everybody else I've talked to and everything I've read say the same thing. Perhaps the Boxers you knew were bored? They do like alot of attention.

 

[jlindy]

Re: "Puddles" the boxer

Get used to the peeing. My parents had a boxer and my neighbor has a boxer, and both of them had bladder control problems for the first 4 to 5 years of their lives. Once they started getting older and slowing down the problem stopped.

Boxers rock, but are as dumb as a box of rocks. They like to bark constantly at everything, and are incredible diggers. So don't just toss him out in a fenced-in back yard, or he will be gone by the time you get home (by collection from animal control due to noise complaints, or by digging out).

Good Luck!:biggrin:

Doesn't sound like you know a lot about the breed or the ones you have seen have been an exception because they are very intelligent by nature and don't usually have peeing problems. Here is some info on the breed:

Energetic, Playful, Loyal, Family Oriented. If owners of this fun loving breed were asked to describe a Boxer these are just a few examples that would be used. The Boxer was originally bred for work but also makes an excellent choice when looking for a family pet. Although no two Boxer dogs are alike, there are common characteristics that a Boxer should display.

What Makes A Boxer
If a poll conducted amongst all Boxer owners for choosing one word to describe this breed the overwhelming choice would be Playful. The Boxer is an amazing breed in its youthful exuberance is shown from the puppy stage to the senior years. A Boxer that is not playful, is just not a Boxer. With their uncanny knack for always-making owners smile, a Boxer household is one that is constantly filled with joy and laughter.

Profession
If a single profession could be chosen for the Boxer most owners today would say a clown would be the most fitting. Whether wiggling or wagging, the Boxer is constantly entertaining and one can not help but smile even when in the worse of moods. The Boxer has a variety of tricks to make us laugh. One of the most common is “kidney beaning”. This is a dance a Boxer does when it is excited. It involves the dog turning itself into a semi-circle (similar to the shape of a “kidney bean”, hence the name) and turning in a circle. This is one of the best benefits of the Boxer because who would not love to see this each day when coming home from a tiring day of work.

Another trick of the trade for the Boxer is the elusive “woo-woo”. This is the sound they make when they want something or are excited. It is not exactly a bark, but similar. If you have heard a Boxer “woo-woo” you would know as it is such a unique sound and it sounds as if they are saying “woo-woo” look at me!

The general movements of the Boxer at times while running can be a very enjoyable experience to walk. A healthy, happy Boxer is a treat to see run free as they have a glow and you can feel the happiness they are experiencing. When the Boxer runs also are on the lookout as many will also jump, twist and even summersault end over end for your viewing pleasure.

Not for Everyone
The Boxers personality is a unique and very enjoyable for most owners but new owners should be weary that the Boxer is not for everyone. They are high-energy dogs and require lots of attention. This is not a breed that is going to lay at the foot of the bed and sleep most of a day away. If the Boxer is not properly exercised and challenged, they can become destructive, as they will find ways to entertain themselves (read chewing your shoes!). The Boxer should be walked or jogged at least two times a day and also provided with mental stimulation. An excellent source of mental stimulation is obedience training. Obedience training is a must for any Boxer owner due to their strength and size. If not properly trained the Boxer can be a handful to take on a walk as they will pull every which direction if not given proper direction. Obedience training is a win-win situation for the Boxer and owner. The Boxer gets to be mentally stimulated, which they desire and it allows the owner to set boundaries for the dog. Placed in the proper home where they can be exercised and mentally challenged, the Boxer makes most owners an excellent pet.

Aggression
The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed. Many uneducated about the breed assume because of the tough look and sturdy structure of the breed that they are aggressive animals. The Boxer naturally prefers to play and work. They do make excellent watchdogs in that they will bark at strangers and protect their family if need be. In fact, the most difficult of Schutzhund training for the breed is passing the required attack sequence of the training where the Boxer must attack a trainer poised as an attacker.


A Stubborn Streak
The Boxer is a very intelligent breed, which has many benefits when training but also drawbacks. The benefits are obvious in that they learn quickly and are eager to further their training education. The downside to working with such an intelligent breed is that they also can and do think on their own. Potential owners should be prepared for many occasions in which the Boxer will plain out not listen to commands. The owner and dog both know exactly what is being commanded and what is suspected. It is just a characteristic of the Boxer to be stubborn from time to time. This can be frustrating but remember to always be patient and the Boxer and trainer will both benefit.

A common example of the Boxer’s stubborn streak is easily observable many times when travelling and it comes time to load up into the car to leave. The Boxer can not be more excited and has been jumping around all morning looking forward to a ride. When it comes time to physically get into the car, the Boxer will act as if it all of the sudden has lead in it’s feet and not being able to jump into the car. The dog and owner bot know the Boxer can get into the car and the Boxer has displayed this ability on many occasions. On this particular day, the dog has decided he wants pampered and needs the owner lift it up into the car. This is just a small example to detail how the stubborn streak can come out and to forewarn anyone considering the breed.


Boxer and Children
With its youthful exuberance and affection the Boxer makes an excellent pet for families with children. From personal experience, the breed seems to have a sense of gauging the size of a child and toning down its level appropriately. Although in most cases the Boxer makes an excellent pet for children, a potential owner should always research the breed before deciding on the proper breed for their family. For instance the Boxer is a large dog and could cause problems for infants and young children by knocking them over by accident.


Living Conditions
The Boxer is not an outside dog and does not adapt well to extreme heat or cold. The Boxer is not suited for cold conditions because of its short coat does not provide much barrier from cold winds. On the other extreme the Boxer has a short nasal cavity which can make breathing very hard in extremely hot conditions. For these reasons, potential owners should be prepared to make adjustments and space in their house for a Boxer if they choose the breed. Most owners say the Boxer prefers mild 70 to 72 degrees controlled living environment, much as we would all prefer!

If you do not like a “lap dog” and think by getting a larger breed you will avoid a dog wanting up in your lap the Boxer is definitely not right for you. The Boxer is a “lap dog” and feels the need to be with its owners. Although it is sometimes hard to imagine a 75-pound dog as being cuddly, the Boxer fits this description. Potential owners should be prepared to give their Boxer lots of time with them and know that the Boxer will follow their owner throughout the house.

Summary
Although not right for everyone, the Boxer can make most a loving addition to their family and provide years of joy. The key is to properly socialize and train the Boxer at an early age and set limits for your Boxer baby. If these simple guidelines are followed, you can look forward to one of the funniest, loyal family member you could imagine.

Addiotional Resources
Discuss Boxer Standards at Boxer-Dog.org.

Boxer profile as outlined by the AKC





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posted at 17:14:00 on 05/24/03 by love boxers - Category: Boxer Standards







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[nchopp]

Re: "Puddles" the boxer

Obedience training would definitely be something to look into. Not to long ago my parents got a new dog, a Border Collie\Huskie mix. HOLY CRAP talk about an energetic dog. WAY too much dog for them at first, they had their work cut out for them. He's doing a lot better now, after some classes and a lot of hard work.