Are You Really Ready For a Boxer Dog?

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 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."

You can find boxer dog pictures and more interesting articles about boxer dogs at dog-owner.net

---

Tired of Vet Bills?

Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's... Read More

Buying a Custom Bird Cage

Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More

Caring for an Older Cat - Cat Health and Cat Care

Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More

How Are You Treating Your Pet?

Can you comprehend a time when dog food, cat food,... Read More

How To Determine The Sex of Discus Fish

One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder... Read More

Which Parrot is Right For Me?

Which parrot is right for me? This is a question... Read More

Teaching Your Dog to Heel

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More

Living With a Pet Serval

Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval... Read More

4 Things Frustrated Dog Owners Should Know

You've probably had a day or two when you felt... Read More

The Cure To Stop A Horse From Kicking

I get a lot of horse training questions about stopping... Read More

Bird Cage Stands

Like us, birds need variety in life. To be happy... Read More

How To Stop Your Cat Spraying

The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail... Read More

West Highland White Terrier - Westie Grooming

Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More

Lemon Tetra - A Perfect Addition for Your Community Aquarium

Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear... Read More

Owning a Wild or Exotic Cat; Information, Laws, and Advice

Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or... Read More

Adopting A Dog

You know what it's like. You see a cute curly... Read More

Materials for Snake and other Reptile Cages

What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More

Tips & Guide To Looking For A Good Dog Trainer

Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier... Read More

7 Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe On Halloween

... Read More

The Optimum Cichlid Aquarium Set Up

The groups of fishes commonly referred to as Cichlids, comprise... Read More

Dog House Training: Straightforward Advice

Making sure that accidents don't happen in the first place... Read More

Pet Tracking Devices

It was the Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and... Read More

How to Protect Your Dog and Family from Roundworms

Nearly every puppy in the world is born with roundworms.... Read More

Orthopedic Dog Beds

Many people consider their dog to be part of their... Read More

Why Exotic Pets Should Not Be Banned

We all know how special interest groups can blow things... Read More

Five Cat Food Factors That Discourage Feline UTD

One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract... Read More

Does Your Dog Have Fleas?

Itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Does that sound familiar? Hopefully... Read More

Dogs - Mans Best Friend

Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades.... Read More

Float a Horses Teeth -- What Does that Mean and Why is it Necessary?

So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth?... Read More

Responsible Dog Ownership

With all the companionship and love that our dogs give... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Vaccinating Your Dog

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More

Tips For Keeping Your Pug Happy And Healthy

Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More

A Short Introduction To Flowerhorn Cichlids

Flowerhorn Cichlids Flowerhorn cichlids is a hybrid cichlid that was... Read More