Thanks Neil. I checked out their site and while I'm not sure what litter your pup came from many of their dogs have some great working lineage including atibox and VDH WM champions. Let us know how he turns out.

Will- Thanks,. will try that, but not sure that is the problem (and I don't think this IS a really big problem at this point). But it can't hurt.

Jessica - Thanks. The breeder's kennels and the condition of the dogs were first rate. Dogs were not crated too long...in fact, just the opposite... they probably had little crate time...they had nice indoor-outdoor runs. Very clean. Periodic free-range "outside time" with family and other dogs. A first-rate facility and dogs that were obviously treated very, very, well.

Bathroom issues will not be a long-term issue with the pup. I'm not worried. Will go on paper. Prefers outside. When outside really only likes to go in one specific section of the yard. TOday, the pup went to the door and looked at it... as a signal that he needed to go. No major issues.. just different than our GSDs.

No issues with our food. 100% grain-free kibble and raw mix.

Luke- Litter- Hongi and Darri. Will see what training questions I have later. Right now, this is a pup with an attitude. High food drive, high play drive, (great fetch and loves a ball on a string)... and likes to play rough. But still stubborn... as I remember my childhood boxer being. An all-around lovable guy. Will keep you posted. Glad to have a boxer person to converse with.

Neil

Just want to do my part to keep a boxer thread active...

Our pup turns 4wks old next week and is doing MUCH better with the house training. Has not poo-ed in his crate at night in a long while. Still as occasional, but increasingly infrequent, pee accidents.

I alternate between thinking this dog is stupid and knowing that he's stubborn and 100% motivated by fun. Unlike my GSDs this pup is prone to "cat" moments, when he will run willy-nilly around trying to get someone, our on e of our other dogs to play.

He's teething so i'm not doing any real bite work with him. I still have a soft furry toy on a string that he loves to chase and bite... will jump to get it..,but that's about it.

He's great when tied out in the yard and left to himself. No undue anxiety.

A good little guy to have around

neil

Hi Neil,

I just joined the forum and was excited to see a Boxer thread. I started working my American-bred Boxer in schutzhund last summer when he was 18 months old. He does not come from working lines but has good prey/food drive. I am new to the sport (we're hoping to try for our BH this coming summer)so I can't claim to be a voice of experience, but I really enjoy the training and bonding with my dog. We are definitely the odd man out amongst all the GSDs and Mals, so it's a learning process for everyone involved. Luckily, our club has open-minded members who recognize differences in how Boxer brains work and are willing to try different training approaches that fit better. One of my clearest observations at this point is that (unlike the other dogs) Rhino doesn't care about 'winning' a toy or the sleeve - rather he just loves the fight for it and that dynamic is what gets him going! Also, his pack drive is lower/less consistent than the shepherds' - he's not as motivated to please me for the sheer sake of it. And yes, he can seem downright stubborn at times!

If you want to get in touch with some experienced working Boxer breeders/trainers, try Cathy & George Markos of von Bachbett Boxers. They are in WI and have been great in communicating and helping me with Rhino.

All the best,

Patty

Patty,
Sorry for not responding sooner. Pls forgive me. My experiences are similar with yours.

At 10mos old now... Mine does not shy away from human contact when fighting over a tug but is less motivated than my previous GSDs in "winning" the tug. He will counter, and when I let go instead of taking the tug and running away with it he pushes into me with it... wanting more. Very physical.

Very happy/playful with children. Getting more and more aloof with adults. Starting to see strong reaction to outside noises events (yard service people next door or across the street for example).

Very quiet when riding in the car...the 100% opposite from my GSDs. Less stressful (for me) with children around. He L O V E S kids. What more can I say?

No more housebreaking issues. He is no problem now.

I hate to admit this, but he is now working his way into our bed and our family room furniture. It is so hard to resist a persistent Boxer dog that only wants human contact before falling into a deep, snoring, twitching, sleep...especially when you have kids siding with the dog.

Regards,

Neil