Quote: shawn reed

To further explain though, I have been laid off since December and have spent everyday, all day with Gabbie since I got her 11 weeks ago and have trained her well with basic obedience.

It sounds like you are doing a terrific job with this girl on your own. Is there something about her behavior that is making you think she needs more than what you are giving her? I'm of the philosophy "if it ain't broke....don't fix it"

If I recall correctly 19 week old boxers are exceptionally adorable.....so where's her picture?

 Quote: shawn reed

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: shawn reed

... I do want to add that none of the dogs that I personally know have any of the traits that everyone is describing on this thread from going away for dog socialization.

What traits did I describe?

Connie, first off, I wasn't referring to you and I am really not looking to argue with people via internet. I just want to learn more about Schutzhund training so I can have a good productive time with my dog and fullfill her working breed nature for fun.....that's it.

Shawn, you said "everyone," so I was teasing you. That's all.

Most of the handlers I know are very much averse to doggie-daycare-type socializing. You are seeing that here.

No one is against YOU, though. These are just caring opinions from people who are very interested in the dog's well-being.

I can tell from your posts that your concern is strictly for your dog's well-being too, so you can understand the forceful opinions.

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

... If I recall correctly 19 week old boxers are exceptionally adorable.....so where's her picture?

HEY! Good point!

I am a big Boxer fan, too.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

... If I recall correctly 19 week old boxers are exceptionally adorable.....so where's her picture?

HEY! Good point!

I am a big Boxer fan, too.

Yeah, I kinda like 'em too. Would love to see some pics.

Oh! You know the other thing I wanted to say Shawn, that I also agreed with Jessica, is about the spaying. Really think about it. I mean, you can always spay her later, but really think about doing it so young. Before I found Leerburg, I spayed my girl at 6 mos, and that I really, REALLY regret doing that. I wish I would've let her hormones develope more and let her grow up. I think she would've grown up to be a more muscular and just better proportioned dog.

Hey Shawn,
You can contact Mark Chase he's close to your area and has had trained and competed in Schutzhund trials with boxers for a while now and he can help you out his email is: markchase1@mac.com, tell him Millie sent you his way.

Now spaying I won't do it until she's about 2 yrs old. Actually a boxer does not fill in until about 4 yrs, they are slow growers. And if competing in Schutzhund you are going to need strong bones, muscles, nerves and mind to keep it together.

Before you do anything talk to Mark he has extensive knowledge on boxers where mine is just 15 yrs and only 4 in schutzhund, but I can tell you unless something is going to be gained by spaying I would not spay my girls, but that's my opinion.

Why send your dog to be socialized you can socialize yourself. A boxer will bond with you real fast, why would you want your dog to bond to someone else besides you and your family. Let your dog meet other people, but you are their bread and butter not some stranger. The boxer by nature is cautious about strangers, he is foremost the guardian of his pack, and that should be you and your family.

The boxer should be trained, with a gentle hand and voice not force, lots of treats show him what you want do not punish for his ignorance, he will respect and trust you for it, and find you a worthy pack leader. The boxer is a strong and powerful dog that needs to learn how to behave within society or he becomes a derelict.

A little training with a little playing, a little training with a little playing goes a long way with this breed.

If I can help you in any way let me know. Good luck with your boxer, let us know how you are doing, but there is a saying that you can't have just one boxer. I should know I have 4 of them, and they are all different in personalities but precioius in everyway.

Any pics of your girl?
Millie

Here she is when I first got her.

These are more recent.



Gabbie with my friends Lab. They can't get enough of each other.


Thank you for all the great info. and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

 Quote: Alex Corral

Oh! You know the other thing I wanted to say Shawn, that I also agreed with Jessica, is about the spaying. Really think about it. I mean, you can always spay her later, but really think about doing it so young. Before I found Leerburg, I spayed my girl at 6 mos, and that I really, REALLY regret doing that. I wish I would've let her hormones develope more and let her grow up. I think she would've grown up to be a more muscular and just better proportioned dog.

At what age do you recommend?

Millie,

Thank you for the extensive post. I always appreciate different perspectives on things. One thing I have learned from this site and through training is that people want to achieve different things and sometimes have different things they want for their dog. Which is GREAT!!! For me, all of my friends have dogs. So it is important that mine is good with dogs b/c I am an extremely social person and I want my dog to be welcomed where I go(which she already is). I have a couple of friends who have dogs that would def. go after her. Obviously I will never put her in that situation. To me it's not cute when another dog goes after another dog and I won't tolerate it, NEVER. IMO, if your dog goes after other dogs your apparently not the leader.

The reasoning for the socialization isn't about training. I just feel I would learn better from someone that speaks English vs. Arabic(which I don't speak). Gabbie and I have an extremely close relationship considering I got laid off right before I got her. I spend everyday and all day with her. We go on 1-1/12 hour walks through the woods in Valley Forge Park daily. She has been as close as ten feet to whitetail deer(their not afraid of humans b/c their protected in the park). I have trained her to go in water, go on a treadmill, not to eliminate on the lawn but rather in the woods behind my house.

I guess I feel I have done so much that I want her to learn to communicate with her own kind. I trust the guy 100% that runs the place. I have been to his house for a couple of beers while all 17 dogs are in the front yard and staying there(without a fence). That's pretty impressive to me!!

Everyone has their ideas and opinions on things which I respect. I am more of the kind of guy that likes to incorporate a palethra of different ideas. That's me! I also like seeing my dog interact with other dogs in a positive way(that's fun for me). When I call her she comes and when I go inside she's waiting at the door until I come out(while other dogs are there). Me being the center of attention hasn't changed from me bringing her around other dogs.

 Quote:

I trust the guy 100% that runs the place. I have been to his house for a couple of beers while all 17 dogs are in the front yard and staying there(without a fence). That's pretty impressive to me!!

These are other peoples dogs Shawn? Do you think thats being responsible? No fence? I don't find that impressive that they stayed there. It was dumb luck. Pretty unprofessional, not someone I would trust with my dog.