I got a new puppy. He is an adorable pup and I've never owned (what will be) a big dog before! This is very exciting but also nerve-wrecking because I don't know if I'm doing everything right.
But the great part is the exercise I'll be getting in. I haven't been exercising much at all, so this will be a great change of pace. It doesn't even feel like exercise.
Does anyone else have dogs that they walk or run with?
I think i'll be walking again..
I think i'll be walking again..
Last edited by Sinnie on Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Francois Tremblay
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Hey Cynthia,
I love boxers, especially their coats, they're like silk, and they're a very handsome striking-looking breed, very noble in appearance. I have 2 Jack Russell Terriers (or Jack Russell Terrorists as they're sometimes referred to!). They're a mother/daughter team. The mother, Zoe, is now 5 years old, her daughter Lulu, is just over 1 year old. Last summer was amazing because we bred Zoe and got a litter of 7 adorable Jack Russell pups. They all went to good homes, and Lulu stayed with us. Since my husband and I have separated I walk the dogs on average 2 times per week. But when I lived in the same house, it was anywhere from 7 to 12 times per week. A high energy dog usually needs 2 walks per day, morning and late afternoon/evening. There's also a good-sized yard at the house, so the dogs also run around a lot too. They're both in fantastic shape, and are fed once per day plus 1-2 treats in the morning. Depending on your dog's age and breed, feeding frequencies vary.
How old is your boxer? It's usually advised that you wait until the dog is at least 12 weeks old before you venture out in public, especially an off-leash park. I suggest you keep your pup on the leash until you're confident he will come when you call him. I strongly recommend obedience training for your pet, although I found I was the one who needed the training! Again, if you're planning outings to an off-leash park, your dog must be well trained and well behaved.
And last but not least, what's his name? What's he like, his personality and looks? This is a big step to take, getting a dog. But if your guy is like my two girls, soon he'll become an indispensable member of your family. Congratulations Cynthia!
I love boxers, especially their coats, they're like silk, and they're a very handsome striking-looking breed, very noble in appearance. I have 2 Jack Russell Terriers (or Jack Russell Terrorists as they're sometimes referred to!). They're a mother/daughter team. The mother, Zoe, is now 5 years old, her daughter Lulu, is just over 1 year old. Last summer was amazing because we bred Zoe and got a litter of 7 adorable Jack Russell pups. They all went to good homes, and Lulu stayed with us. Since my husband and I have separated I walk the dogs on average 2 times per week. But when I lived in the same house, it was anywhere from 7 to 12 times per week. A high energy dog usually needs 2 walks per day, morning and late afternoon/evening. There's also a good-sized yard at the house, so the dogs also run around a lot too. They're both in fantastic shape, and are fed once per day plus 1-2 treats in the morning. Depending on your dog's age and breed, feeding frequencies vary.
How old is your boxer? It's usually advised that you wait until the dog is at least 12 weeks old before you venture out in public, especially an off-leash park. I suggest you keep your pup on the leash until you're confident he will come when you call him. I strongly recommend obedience training for your pet, although I found I was the one who needed the training! Again, if you're planning outings to an off-leash park, your dog must be well trained and well behaved.
And last but not least, what's his name? What's he like, his personality and looks? This is a big step to take, getting a dog. But if your guy is like my two girls, soon he'll become an indispensable member of your family. Congratulations Cynthia!
It's time to make it beautiful.
Dog walking
A dog could perhaps be the greatest Urban Rangering tool of all. I have a Scottish terrier, they are not the fastest or most long distance dog in the world but he makes me walk every night. It's only 15 or 20 minutes but it doesn't matter if it is 40C or 4C or raining we have to go or he will annoy the hell out of me. A boxer would be even more insistent so expect to get a lot fitter having a new dog. Dogs are good for making you walk consistently, even when you don't want to.
There is something very natural about walking a dog as well, it doesn't feel like exercise and you get to chat to people (if there are any around because you are the only clown outside at 9pm in the rain in the middle of winter because your dog won't leave you alone).
Phil.
There is something very natural about walking a dog as well, it doesn't feel like exercise and you get to chat to people (if there are any around because you are the only clown outside at 9pm in the rain in the middle of winter because your dog won't leave you alone).
Phil.
I've got a Great Dane - she was 1 year old last week. Its great having a dog because you have to walk them whether you feel like it or not, and it gives a purpose to your walk, so you don't feel like you are aimlessly wandering around. Also dogs are great icebreakers, I have made loads of friends over the years from having dogs. I used to have two labradors, but sadly they had to be put to sleep last year (both 13 years old and just suffering from the effects of old age - they decided they didn't want to walk anymore). It was very sad and I really miss them but Sasha my Great Dane has helped keep me busy. Although I must say Great Danes are an awful lot easier to look after than Labs - much lazier and she likes to keep clean (labradors can smell mud and water from a mile away).
I take her for a walk every morning for about an hour and a half, she goes off the lead and has a good run, then in the afternoon we go for another half an hour walk.
Cynthia, if they do puppy socialisation classes where you are, these are a good idea, just gets the pup used to other people and more importantly other dogs. When you take the pup for its first walk, give yourself plenty of time, everything is new to them, so they like to stop and watch things, I used to have to stand for ages while Sasha watched traffic go by, she was a little fearful of it at first but completely fascinated at the same time.
The first time I walked her was when I was taking my daughter to school and we were running out of time, so I had to pick her up and carry her, which was no mean feat, even at 12 weeks she probably weighed 25lb and as I am only little (5'2") it must have looked a very funny sight.
Have fun with your puppy, they are hard work to start with, but once house trained etc they are (most of the time) a complete joy.
Good luck and best wishes Daisy
I take her for a walk every morning for about an hour and a half, she goes off the lead and has a good run, then in the afternoon we go for another half an hour walk.
Cynthia, if they do puppy socialisation classes where you are, these are a good idea, just gets the pup used to other people and more importantly other dogs. When you take the pup for its first walk, give yourself plenty of time, everything is new to them, so they like to stop and watch things, I used to have to stand for ages while Sasha watched traffic go by, she was a little fearful of it at first but completely fascinated at the same time.
The first time I walked her was when I was taking my daughter to school and we were running out of time, so I had to pick her up and carry her, which was no mean feat, even at 12 weeks she probably weighed 25lb and as I am only little (5'2") it must have looked a very funny sight.
Have fun with your puppy, they are hard work to start with, but once house trained etc they are (most of the time) a complete joy.
Good luck and best wishes Daisy
Hey! Wow, thanks so much for the helpful suggestions and hints!
I'm having an interesting time with my puppy. I don't have kids but I think this is the closest I've come so far. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I did underestimate!
His name is Tyson and he is a fawn coloured boxer. He is only turning 8 weeks on Sunday so I am trying to keep that in mind when he forgets the house is not is bathroom. So far, my family has totally waivered with the crate training and we've let him out every time because he cries bloody murder. But the problem is he will learn very quickly how to get what he wants and we will have an 80 lb boxer sleeping in our beds. This has been the most trying experience of my life. He needs constant attention. I have enrolled him in Puppy Kindergarten and the first class was amazing.
Daisy I completely know what you mean about puppy's watching everything when you take them for a walk. I had to carry him half way to the park and people just kinda stared at me LOL. I am also about 5'2" and he is already 11.5 lbs. He's gonna be a big boy. But I was able to get him to run a bit and ran more at the park - that was the most fun exercise I've done in a long time.
Operababe, you are right about him being too young to be at an off-leash park. I talked to a lady at one yesterday that I tried to bring him to and it looks like I won't be going back until he is 4 months old.
I will definitely be keeping up with lots of obedience training because I really want a well-behaved dog that will be listen to me and so on. The main problem I'm dealing with is the crate training. I'm afraid we'll never get it right because it's so hard to hear him cry non-stop for hours. It seems there is so much to know and it can be overwhelming. I just want to do a good job with him but so far he is king of the house.
Anyways, great to know there are other dog lovers on the board.
I'm having an interesting time with my puppy. I don't have kids but I think this is the closest I've come so far. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I did underestimate!
His name is Tyson and he is a fawn coloured boxer. He is only turning 8 weeks on Sunday so I am trying to keep that in mind when he forgets the house is not is bathroom. So far, my family has totally waivered with the crate training and we've let him out every time because he cries bloody murder. But the problem is he will learn very quickly how to get what he wants and we will have an 80 lb boxer sleeping in our beds. This has been the most trying experience of my life. He needs constant attention. I have enrolled him in Puppy Kindergarten and the first class was amazing.
Daisy I completely know what you mean about puppy's watching everything when you take them for a walk. I had to carry him half way to the park and people just kinda stared at me LOL. I am also about 5'2" and he is already 11.5 lbs. He's gonna be a big boy. But I was able to get him to run a bit and ran more at the park - that was the most fun exercise I've done in a long time.
Operababe, you are right about him being too young to be at an off-leash park. I talked to a lady at one yesterday that I tried to bring him to and it looks like I won't be going back until he is 4 months old.
I will definitely be keeping up with lots of obedience training because I really want a well-behaved dog that will be listen to me and so on. The main problem I'm dealing with is the crate training. I'm afraid we'll never get it right because it's so hard to hear him cry non-stop for hours. It seems there is so much to know and it can be overwhelming. I just want to do a good job with him but so far he is king of the house.
Anyways, great to know there are other dog lovers on the board.
LOL I know what you mean about what hard work they are. When I got pregnant everyone was telling what hard work a baby was - well let me tell you something, a baby is easy compared to a puppy. Babies dont run about, babies wear diapers, babies don't have teeth and don't chew the furniture and babies definately don't dig big holes in the garden. But this hard bit doesn't last long and then puppies get easier (whereas children get more difficult!!!!) so try not to let it get you down (I could sometimes have cried with frustation with the pups) ibut t really doesn't take long before they start to learn what is and isn't acceptable doggy behaviour.
Kindest regards - Daisy
Kindest regards - Daisy
Thanks for the kind words Daisy. So I'm not the only one who thinks puppies are comparable to children! haha. I was up three or four times last night to let him out and he woke me up at seven. I'm lucky with 4 hours of sleep. Today he is 8 weeks old and despite the trouble I love him to death 
I can't wait until he is big enough for long walks.
I can't wait until he is big enough for long walks.