You may find when your new addition arrives that they are very needy, clingy and loving. Although we want you to show them all the love and attention that you can possibly give them, sometimes you need to use a bit of tough love in the beginning. Many boxers coming out of rescue will show some signs of stress when their new owner tries to leave them. This is understandable, they have already lost a family member, then their foster home or shelter volunteers, they don't want to lose you too! This anxiety can not show itself at all or can last for days, weeks or even longer. In the beginning if you allow yourself to go to mush and give in to your new addition you could help to only worsen their anxiety about you leaving them and causing separation anxiety. We strongly recommend crate training your new addition. Whether coming from the shelter or from a foster home your boxer has been crated or has been working on crate training. Their crate is their safe place, it is where their world never changes, it's their 4 walls (a lot like the safety of your bedroom). They're blanket is in their, their toys and it's a place that they receive a special treat (Kong with peanut butter, Nylabone etc). Once they are comfortable in their crate they won't stress when you leave them alone, whether for 30 minutes or while you are away at work. The crate will help save your floor while you are house training, your blinds while your boxer pines at the window for your return and many other things. Please ask about crate training your new addition.
You've survived the first couple of days with your new addition and everything is going smoothly but you wake up to find your boxer coughing, what is it? Some of the dogs that come through rescue have contracted kennel cough. You may check your boxer's papers and see that they have been vaccinated against bordatella so why are they coughing. The bordatella vaccine only covers a small amount of the kennel cough strains that are out there. The cold like condition can be contracted but it can take anywhere from 3-10 days before it will show itself. Don't panic, kennel cough is very common and very treatable (although it is contagious so this is not the time to be bringing friends animals over etc). How do you know it's kennel cough? Kennel cough usually starts with a dry hacking cough that can lead into a chesty cough and a runny nose, for dogs with other medical issues such as compromised immune systems it can lead into a more serious condition. A quick trip to the vet and some antibiotics is all most dogs need. Most vets will usually prescribe 10-14 days worth and although it may keep you awake at night don't worry your boxer will soon be back to their self again.
So now you have some basic things to think about preparing for before your new addition arrives home. If you have any questions, now's the time to ask! WBBR's volunteers will be happy to help answer any questions or concerns you may have. We are also available after you adopt if a question or concern arises.
Today’s the big day, your picking up your new addition! You already know how perfect they are going to be; they will listen when called, let you know when they need to go out, won’t think of chasing the family cat and will cuddle with you like they have always been a part of your family! If this is what you are expecting please read on because you may be in for a big surprise!
Before your new addition arrives you may want to research some local obedience trainers in your area. Find out how they teach and what technique you feel most comfortable using. The first couple of months are a great bonding time for you and your new boxer. Obedience can help build that bond, along with help with basic obedience skills and socialization. Remember boxers are very smart but very stubborn, you may feel after 1 session you would like to enroll in a second. Don't forget other classes once a basic obedience class has been completed, such as: agility, rally obedience, tracking and Canine Good Citizen.
There's a lot to remember when bringing your new addition home. Adopting a rescue dog is very rewarding and your new addition will show you unconditional love for opening up your heart and your home to them but there may be some bumps along the way. You and your family need to be prepared to work through these bumps before you decide to adopt, some dogs do fall right into family life as if they have always been with you, more often then not though it can take days, weeks and even months before your new addition settles into your family's routine. Your new addition has already had a previous family and maybe more that has given up on them or has been unable to keep them; we want your family to be their forever one.
First thing, do you have everything ready for your new addition? Some basics: doggie bed,
crate, food and water dishes, food, treats, leash, collar, a couple of toys and maybe a
chewy bone. Maybe consider picking up Nature's Miracle or another product that will help
incase your new addition has an accident on the carpet. How about your house? What have
you been told about your new boxer, are they are chewer, are they still puppyish in nature,
are they arthritic etc? Take a look around; is there anything at boxer height that your boxer
may like to chew on? Do you have Great Grandma's vase sitting on the wobbly side table?
Before your new addition arrives maybe get down on your hands and knees and see your
house from a dogs height, you may find there are some things you want to move!
When your new addition arrives remember they are going to be confused and maybe a little frightened. Whether they've come from a foster home or the shelter they have left the safety they are used to. Many rescue dogs forget even the basic skills when they arrive in their new homes, you may find yourself starting with the basics, house training. Just like you would with a puppy take your new addition out every couple of hours and praise them when they go outside. Watch closely for signals, your new addition may try and tell you they need to go out but as the two of you bond you may not realize what they are trying to tell you. We do recommend using a crate with your boxer until you feel confident that they can be safely left loose in the house without you present.