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The Info You Need About Boxers as Pets Today...
"Hands down... boxers make the BEST pets
money can buy!"
Although low-maintenance, if you want to have boxer dogs as pets, they require your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction, consistent obedience training and lots of love. You cannot leave them to their own design for too long or they get lonely, bored and into trouble.
Being a big and strong dog as well as a highly intelligent one, boxers need both physical and mental stimulations to keep them even-tempered and dignified while still keeping their impish spirit and fearless courage intact.
How to Keep Boxers Out of Trouble
Their high prey drive (some owners called it play drive) needs proper outlets or they could get destructive as house pets, and tend to fight among themselves especially if the other family boxers are of the same sex. The female, it seems, is more aggressive than the male.
Keeping boxers busy is the best way to keep them out of trouble! Tire them out with long walks, 3 times a day. Give them plenty of exercise, play with them, especially the inquisitive puppies, or they will tear up your home out of boredom, pent up energy and frustration.
For all your love and caring, be prepared for wet slobbery drool and kisses and love in return.
What Proud Owners Say About Their Boxer Dogs Pets:
"Having a boxer dog as a pet is like having another human in a dog body with you. You can talk to boxers and they would understand. They demonstrate feelings just like human does. If they are loved, they will love and protect you."
"Boxers are the most loyal companions. My boxers bring me up when I am down. They are the canine clowns of the dog world. They are the only dogs for me."
"They are a gift! The two I have are always smiling and they cheer me up when I'm not too happy. They can be your friends for life!"
"My boxer can take up my moods or lay quietly by my feet for hours."
"Boxer dogs are so intuitive, so easily bored and heartbroken. They are the definition of devotion and courage."
"Boxers can be very manipulative. They are a lot smarter than they look! Don't get taken in by their innocent-looking face or let them walk all over you no matter how much their eyes make them look like they are truly sorry."
"Give up being house-proud and enjoy your "devil dog." Don't have potted plants because you'll end up with empty pots. Don't run to answer the phone because you'll be rugby-tackled and end up flat on your face."
"Bringing a puppy or even an older dog into your home and your life is a major decision. It brings with it responsibility and commitment, but it also renders supreme joy, laughter, and sadly, but inevitably, tears. Not one of us who has ever shared his life with a boxer would have it any other way."
"Boxer dogs think they are human. Treat them like one - love them, talk to them, cuddle them and value them and you will get your love back unconditionally 10,000 times."
So Are You Ready for a Boxer Dog Pet?
The answer is "no" if you intend to 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! (I have to say I disagree with that one though. My boxer was well trained, and was perfectly fine being left for 6 to 8 hours at a time, as long as she had toys to play with and bones to chew.)
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
Boxer dogs as pets 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.
My pet boxer dog, Lucy, believed she was a lap dog, even when her weight climbed to 65 pounds! When my daughters or I sat on the floor, Lucy would back into our laps and sit down. Made it kind of hard to see the TV!
Shower them with love, affection and attention as well as some treats, and you'll always keep your boxer happy. Left to their own devices, boxers can become very destructive when lonely, bored and ignored. One is known to jump over 6-foot fences if the owner is gone for too long.
Give extra space when you have to leave a boxer alone over an 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 had better make sure they have a toy they really like or they'll find something to do that you probably really won't like.
Some Boxers Can Be Destructive
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 also makes for 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 another female. My boxer, Lucy, was never aggressive towards other dogs or most people. But she didn't like little boys. Whenever she saw one, her hackles would rise and she'd start growling. We never could figure out why it was just little boys, not little girls, not older children at all. And never adults or other dogs. Very strange.
Read about how to prevent dog bites with aggressive dogs...
Hyperactivity
Boxers have a high play drive and they need their exercise or they'll get excitable and destructive.
Play, play and play with them. 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 a body harness if you have a boxer that pulls or strays. A harness is the answer to the boxer slipping out of the collar. The chain-harness combo trains the boxer to walk without pulling or straying.
Shop for Pet Supply Bargains on Leashes & Harnesses at Just4Pooches
Extreme shyness
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. Here's a story from my own experience…
We enrolled Lucy in a puppy obedience class at PetSmart when she was about 11 months old. She became an obedience school drop out because there was just too much distraction in the store. People walking by constantly prevented Lucy from being able to focus on the commands I was giving. We tried again when she was older in a less distracting environment, and she did much better.
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."
Learn how to communicate better with your boxer, using our fun audiovisual program!
Or... if you'd like to get all of this information in an easy-to-read, instantly downloadable and printable eBook, plus some valuable FREE bonuses, check out Boxer Dog Secrets: The Manual!