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Red alert… We have just posted boxer dog pictures pages on our site. Come see our darling Lucy, the angel boxer dog photos, as well as boxer dog pics from other web sources.
You can even add your own boxer dog pictures.
Boxer-Dogs-Secrets.com, an informational site with tons of free content about raising and training boxer dogs, has recently launched a new design with more user-friendly navigation and new content about boxers.
Content is now better organized into categories such as:
I hope you’ll take the time to check it out! It will be well worth your time.
Visiting an animal shelter can be an emotional experience for a boxer dog lover.
When considering the birth rates among animals, it’s not hard to understand why animal shelters are always filled with animals waiting to be adopted. But it IS difficult to see all the animals in their pens and not want to take them all home. Such feelings are understandable and commendable; however, just be sure that prior to adoption you consider all of the ramifications.
Shockingly, it has been calculated that over a seven year period, one female cat and her offspring will produce approximately 420,000 kittens. Likewise, one female dog and her offspring will produce 67,000 puppies during a six year period. Since there are more animals looking for homes than there are people who want to adopt them, some 6.5 million animals are euthanized each year.
Given the statistics cited above, adopting an animal can be a kind and loving thing to do, as long as you weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Many of the boxer dogs you’ll find awaiting adoption in shelters have had very rough beginnings. Some were abused, some abandoned and some were “turned in” because the owners didn’t have time for them.
Many were left alone for long periods and some were never properly potty trained. In short, when adopting a boxer dog from a shelter or rescue organization, you must be prepared to work with them. They may come to you cowed or with feelings of fear and may be overly sensitive to your tone of voice or to any commands you might give them. You will need to be patient and by all means, loving. When they finally realize that they can trust you, they will reward you with more affection and loyalty than you can imagine.
Adopting a bxer dog as a means of entertaining a small child is not recommended. A boxer dog is not a toy and should not be treated as one. Small children should be trained to understand “animal etiquette”.
In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. Kids need to understand that being overly aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted, could cause the dog to react by biting or running away.
If feeding and exercising the boxer dog is to be the responsibility of a child, an adult should follow up to be sure these things are getting done. It isn’t the boxer’s fault if a child fails to meet his or her obligations and the dog shouldn’t have to suffer for the child’s failure.
Many adopted boxer dogs will come to their new homes filled with fears based upon earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules of their previous owners. Some dogs will be reluctant to go from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and hide upon hearing a loud noise.
New owners must be patient with them and speak to them softly and affectionately. Boxer dogs are not stupid and they will gradually come to understand their new environment and show their appreciation for your loving care.
When contemplating adoption of a boxer dog from a shelter or rescue group, prospective new owners should be prepared to deal with the fact that their new adoptee may not be completely housebroken.
Previous owners may have been irresponsible in their approach to this training; furthermore, when the dog was placed in the shelter it continued to do its “business” right in its pen. Housebreaking is not a complex chore and should not deter someone from adopting a pet. Some owners will use a crate to assist in this training, while others will just take the dog out for a walk several times a day. Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses that pay extra dividends on cold or rainy days.
Adopted boxer dogs are subject to all of the behavioral problems commonly associated with dogs in general. These would include digging, jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking and nipping. There are proven solutions to all of these “offenses.”
If your dog is prone to digging, and always digs in one area, there are a number of effective repellent sprays that work well. If he digs under your fence, a little buried chicken wire works wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles filled with water should be kept at hand to break a dog from jumping up and to combat incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face immediately following, or during, the offensive behavior will usually bring about a quick behavior modification.
The bottom line is you should take time before making the decision to adopt your boxer dog from a shelter. Know what you’re getting yourself into, and be prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to make it work well for both you and the dog. Anything less is unfair to both of you.
Thinking about choosing a veterinarian for your new boxerdog? Where do you start? Usually, when picking a veterinarian, we thumb through the phone book until we find one close to home. But just like a doctor, you might not be happy with his “bedside” manner. I’ve heard people complain that their animal’s veterinarian doesn’t handle their animal well or they just didn’t like his manner. Below are some helpful hints in choosing the best veterinarian for your animal.
If you have friends, family or neighbors with animals, ask them for a recommendation. If they do, ask questions about their experiences with the vet. How does the veterinarian handle their animal? Is he gentle? Does he thoroughly explain to the pet owner the health of the animal after being looked over? It’s good to choose a veterinarian that is informative about the animal he is checking. A veterinarian not only has to be good with animals, but he has to be people friendly as well. Don’t forget your instincts. After meeting the vet, if you don’t feel good about him, don’t go back. Even if he has a good reputation, don’t feel pressured to go back. What is good for one person, may not be good for you.
Look up the Veterinary Medical Board and see if he has been any complaints again him. This way, you can eliminate without having to go any further. You can also check with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). These are vet hospitals that have achieved high animal care standards. These vet hospitals fill out a detailed explanation of its equipment and services they offer. Afterwards, a consultant inspects the facility to ensure it meets AAHA’s standards. The following areas are checked: medical records, dentistry, anesthesia, dentistry and surgery. Knowing this, may give some dog owners peace of mind before taking their animal for and of the above reasons. There are only around 17 percent of vet hospitals around the US and Canada that are affiliated with the AAHA. You can find them by going through the Healthypet’s Hospital Locator.
Make an appointment to meet the veterinarian as well as the staff. How do they interact with customers as well as each other? While you’re there, ask for a tour of the facility. It would be a good idea to not ask for the tour in advance. This way you can see how the facility is kept without being warned of a visitor. Look for cleanliness especially in the kennel area. If you see unclean kennels or droppings on the floor, it might mean they do not have enough staff to care for the animals. Sanitation is important due to the spread of diseases among animals. Also, ask the vet if it would be ok to sit in during a treatment of an animal. This way you can see how he handles the animal as well as the pet owner. You can also see if he has a genuine care for animals or does he just see it as a job?
Any veterinarian practicing in the United States has to of graduated from an accredited school. Just like any doctor, he must have a license that should be on display. If you don’t see one displayed, ask him about it. Check to make sure it is a current license.
Ask about emergency care? Is it even offered? Accidents can happen to your pet, and they don’t always happen during the 8-5 Monday thru Friday schedule. Is there 24/7 emergency pet care? Find out if your dog does have to stay overnight, will there be a member of staff staying with him?
If possible, get a good veterinarian that is close to home. You don’t want to drive an hour away if you have a restless or hurting dog in the back seat.
If you have pet insurance, find out if they accept it? If not, what about credit cards or payment plans? Vet bills, especially emergency bills, can be costly.
Do your homework if you want to get a respected veterinarian that you feel safe going to. Visit several veterinarians before making a decision, and then compare notes. Finally, go with your instinct.
Getting a new boxer dog is one of the greatest joys in the world. Make this great time even better by knowing exactly what kind of dog will complement your family’s lifestyle.
Before you get a boxer dog, you will want to make sure to discuss with your family who will have the primary responsibility of taking care of and training the dog. You will want to find a good veterinarian close by, and you will want to consider the cost of keeping a boxer dog. (They’re not small dogs, and they eat a lot, for example!) You will also want to make sure to have supplies such as bowls, a bed, a crate, leash , collar, and toys prior to your new dog coming home.
Also before you get your new boxer dog, you may want to consider whether other breeds might be more compatible to your lifestyle. Large dogs are generally not for apartment dwellers or the elderly. Small dogs may not always be for people who want to be active with their dogs, although I think that really depends on the dog.
If you like boxer dogs’ looks, but you don’t want such a big dog, you might consider Boston terriers. They look a lot like a boxer, but they’re much smaller (around 15 to 25 pounds, on average, as opposed to 50 to 65 pounds). I currently own a Boston terrier, and they’re a great breed too. Read about my experiences here: www.boston-terrier-chronicles.com/blog
Temperament is another important thing to consider. You will also want to decide if you want a puppy or an older dog. Certain breeds have inherent health problems like eye problems or hip dysplasia, so you will want to take all of that into consideration before choosing a breed. Boxers are prone to cancer, sorry to say, so you’ll want to think about that, and expect a shorter life span.
If you decide to get a purebred boxer puppy, there are resources to help you find a reputable boxer dog breeder. Your local kennel club has access to area breeders that specialize in boxer dogs. If you are looking for an older boxer, this can also be a good resource as many breeders may have adult dogs available as well. Your veterinarian can be a great resource as well, as oftentimes they have assisted area breeders.
You may be interested in considering a mixed breed boxer. These dogs can be wonderful family companions, as much so as purebred dogs. The rescue organizations seem to have a lot of boxer mixes available.
Due to the large population of dogs, many people are interested in adopting a dog. Talk to your local humane society or boxer dog rescue organization for assistance with adoption.
The most important thing to do when choosing a boxer dog is to take your time and get to know different dogs. Talk to pet store personnel, groomers, breeders, and your veterinary staff for assistance. Make sure to consider all aspects of boxer dog care and you can ensure a happy time for your new dog and family.
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