Additional Information
Bringing Puppy Home...We want your experience with your puppy to be the best possible. Here are some things that are important to do in preparation for bringing your new family member home.
Select A Veterinarian You may want to get recommendations from pet owning friends and/or choose a vet who is close to your home. Your puppy needs to be examined immediately so it is a good idea to make the initial appointment prior to picking up your puppy. We will provide you with a record of worming and immunizations that you can take to your veterinarian on the first visit. Puppy Proofing Your Home Before bringing your new puppy home be sure to make the area safe by puppy proofing. Remember your puppy will want to chew on everything within its reach. It's up to you to keep your puppy safe and healthy by removing hazards. The following are some hazards you need to check: Plants - Keep all house plants out of your puppy's reach. Even if they aren't poisonous to the puppy he will be inclined to tear them up and dig in the dirt. Be sure all the outside plants the puppy comes in contact with are not poisonous. There are lists of plants that are harmful to dogs are available on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website. Keep the toilet lid down! Household Chemicals - Keep all items on high shelves or behind secured doors. Medications - Be sure to keep all medications out of your puppy's reach. If you drop a pill prevent your puppy from entering the area until you have found the pill. Other considerations - Look at the world through your puppy's eyes - Get down to your puppy's level, look for items that could be dangerous and remove the danger. Keep an eye out for dangling electric cords, window blind cords, nails, plastic caps, raveled rugs, and any other items that your puppy may be tempted to chew on or ingest. Once your puppy is home stay on the alert for items within the puppy's reach, that could cause him harm, and pick them up immediately. Do not allow your puppy to have play with:
Collar - A lightweight adjustable size collar is best. Be sure to purchase an ID tag with your name, address, and phone number. A collar that fits properly is loose enough to allow two fingers to fit comfortably between the collar and your puppy's neck. Be sure to check and adjust the length of the collar as your puppy grows. Leash - A 6 ft. leash is the ideal length for training. Keep your puppy on a leash when not in confined areas. Grooming Supplies - Your Boxer puppy will learn to enjoy being groomed with a soft bristled brush. Food and Water Bowls - Look for broad based bowls. They are less subject to being tipped over. Start with smaller bowls and purchase larger ones as your puppy grows. Separate food and water bowls so contents of one won't spill into the other. Puppy Food - Feed your puppy a high quality diet formulated specifically for large breed puppies. Stain and odor remover - Purchase products formulated for removing pet odors. These products contain enzymes that break down the odors so that the puppy cannot detect an area he has used before. Be sure to clean up soiled areas quickly and thoroughly following product directions closely. Crate and/or Bed - Your puppy will benefit from a designated sleeping area. Since dogs are dinning animals your puppy will quickly learn to enjoy a crate. In addition, teaching your puppy to tolerate spending time in the crate will keep it out of trouble when you can't keep an eye on him. You can choose from plastic or wire crates. The crate should be only large enough for the puppy to stand up, lie down, and turn around. Beds should be sized according to your puppy's size. A small bed, about the puppy's size helps your puppy feel safe and secure. Doghouse - If your puppy will be spending time outdoors he will need shelter. Be sure the house you choose is well insulated and large enough to comfortably accommodate your puppy's mature size. Locate the house on a well drained site that is shaded during the summer. Remember that Boxers should be left outside only in comfortable weather. They are very sensitive to extreme heat and cold so need to be in the house during those times. Toys - Choose toys made specifically for that can't be easily torn apart or swallowed. Large stuffed toys, rope toys, large hard rubber balls, etc. are good choices. If the toy fits comfortably in a puppy's mouth, it's probably too small. Nylon chews provide exercise and help your puppy with teething but always supervise your dog with chews as they can pose a choking hazard. Rawhide chews are not recommended. Rawhide chews may not have been properly processed. They can also lodge in your dog's throat or cause an intestinal impaction. Other Tips Plan to bring your puppy home when someone for a few days to help him settle in. If you work plan on bringing your puppy home at the beginning of the weekend. Avoid bringing your puppy home during times when their may be turmoil at your house like holidays, or when you have visitors. Make an appointment to pick up your puppy. If we know when you are coming we can have your puppy ready to to to its new home. Be sensitive to your puppy's needs. Remember it is leaving the environment, it has known for its short life, and coming into a new environment among strangers. Comfort your puppy as it goes through the transition of life in a new home. If you have children encourage them to remain calm around the puppy. Teach your children how to pet the newcomer and the proper way to pick up the puppy. Your children can be a great comfort to the newcomer. Housebreaking is more easily accomplished if you remain alert and establish a routine. Take your puppy outside immediately after naps, after eating, and any other time you see him nosing around. Choose a name for your new puppy. When you call him use only that name. Your puppy will learn to respond quickly. In all training remember that consistency pays off. Puppies respond best to a set schedule. |
Boxer Health IssuesHere you can find the most important issues
concerning Boxer Dog health and condition. For detailed info about particular health problems check related webs below. Boxers are prone to develop cancers, heart conditions such as Aortic Stenosis and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (the so-called "Boxer Cardiomyopathy"), hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation and torsion (bloat), intestinal problems, and allergies (although these may be more related to diet than breed). Entropion is occasionally seen, a malformation of the eyelid requiring surgical correction, and some lines have a tendency to develop spondylosis deformans, a fusing of the spine. Responsible breeders use available tests to screen their breeding stock before breeding, and in some cases throughout the life of the dog, in an attempt to minimize the occurrence of these diseases in future generations. HIP DYSPLASIA One of the biggest health concerns for all Boxer owners is Hip Dysplasia. This is the number one cause of lameness is the hindquarters in Boxers and should be something all Boxer owners should be aware of. Hip Dysplasia is an arthritic condition originating from looseness in the hip itself. Hip Dysplasia occurs in the ball and socket joint where the thighbone (femur) joins the pelvis. In dogs looseness in the joint can be caused by the tissue, which hold the joint in place. Over time the looseness in the joint will lead to abnormalities of the bone in the ball and socket. Hip Dysplasia is typically seen in elder dogs as opposed to young pups. Research has not shown that the looseness of the tissues does not change over time from when the dog is young. The problems in the elder years are caused by the looseness in the joint over a prolonged period of time causing arthritic problems with the dog. The main resource for information and research on Hip Dysplasia is conducted by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA believes little change occurs in testing for Hip Dysplasia after a dog reaches 4 months of age. As a precaution, they do require testing of dogs up to 2 years and older for certification purposes. It is better to err on the side of caution when dealing with a dogs health and this is the reasoning behind the adulthood testing. The best prevention for a potential owner is to choose a breeder who have their Boxers tested for Hip Dysplasia and other common health concerns for the Boxer breed. When the parents of the pup have been certified to be free of any genetic hip issues it increases the chance of a health Boxer baby. Often buying from a breeder with certified Boxers the cost for a pet is much higher. In the long run it is well worth it, as you will have a healthier, happier new addition to the family. Boxers are an athletic breed, and proper exercise and conditioning is important for their continued health and longevity. Care must be taken not to over-exercise young dogs, as this may damage growing bones; however once mature Boxers can be excellent jogging or running companions. Because of their brachycephalic head, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions. Essential health isuues info: American Boxer Club Many articles concerning Boxer�s health Karolinska Institutet Hundrets of Animal Diseases Links. CHECK THIS SITE ! Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists What is Hip Dysplasia Working Dogs Magazine Health Articles, Dysplasia resources Case Studies In Small Animal Cardiovascular Medicine Very interesting page AVMA Cancer in animals ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Toxic plants Go Pets America All Dog Diseases Orthopedic Foundation For Animals BAER Testing Protocol Canine Eye Registration Foundation Veterinary Medical DataBase OFFA General Cardiac Information |