The Boxer Blog...

The Boxer is reported to have a breed-related sensitivity to acepromazine. In 1996 a warning was placed in the cardiology section of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), a US-based network for practicing veterinarians, entitled "Acepromazine and Boxers." It described several adverse reactions to acepromazine in three Boxers at the University of California at Davis veterinary teaching hospital. The reactions included collapse, respiratory arrest, and profound bradycardia (slow heart rate, less than 60 beats per minute). While there is disagreement among some veterinarians on this point, a number of veterinary publications recommend the drug be avoided in the breed. Individual dogs of any breed can have a profound reaction characterized by hypotension (low blood pressure), especially if there is an underlying heart problem. Acepromazine should be used with caution  {Source - Wikipedia}

This is a re-post that I find very informational. I am a firm believer that people over vaccinate our pets, and this is very educational for those who have questions like I do, and old schoolers out there who believe otherwise.

What is a puppy mill? What is the difference between a puppy mill and a backyard breeder? Does it really matter in the long run? Yes! It does.

Holiday season is a time we love to decorate and entertain family and friends. There are some things you should all be aware of and protect your pet from illness. Here is a list if foods and plants to be careful of, and what the symptoms and treatments are if your pet has already become ill.

Boxers, are a breed with fairly sensitive digestive tract. They tend to do better on Chicken based foods (as opposed to beef, or lamb) to help with "flatulence issues" Boxers are so famous for.

In general, store bought foods (Iams, Eukanuba, Alpo, Old Roy, Purina, Pedigree, Kibbles N bits, Beneful, to name a handful) are poor quality and do not agree very well in general with Boxers sensitive systems. It would be better suited to buy an upgraded variety of foods for best outcome and better stool output.

So you have a new puppy. Number one thing on all new owner's to -do list, is potty training! Boxers, are very intelligent, overall clean dogs, but I will say, unfortunately one area they can be a little "slow" in (compared to other medium/large breed dogs) is potty training. 

Potty training starts the MINUTE you introduce them to their new home. First thing. Take the pup outside and let them get to know their outside surroundings. The second your pup eliminates make a BIG party, praise... using the words "Good POTTY". You aren't praising the pup, it's not "Good girl, or Good Fluffy" use the word Potty. This will begin the process of associating the action of eliminating with the word potty. If you are 100% consistent, before too long you will be able to ask your puppy to go potty and it will trigger the need for them to go when they hear the word. (All my dogs potty on command, whenever, wherever)

Second very important thing is, you must have a dog crate. This is not in-humane. This is a necessity. Your pup must never have un-attended time inside the house. It is an earned privledge to be in the house un-attended, and left for older dogs who have proven they understand the concept of going potty outside. If you are in the room with the pup, watch for sniffing the ground, walking in circles, and walking to the door or whining for indicators she/he needs to go out. If he/she just ate, or just woke up from a nap, will definatly be a time to let the pup out. Be very consistent, and very frequent. If you are unable to be with your pup to supervise, they should be in their crate. 

The "rule of thumb" for how long the MAXIMUM time your pup can "hold" potty, is their age in months (8 weeks =2 months) plus 1. so a 2 month old puppy can hold it a MAXIMUM) of 3 hours. the older the pup gets, the longer he/she can go. It is NEVER o.k to get a puppy and leave it in a crate for 8-10 hours a day. 

Follow these steps, and it will help alleviate some of the "drama" of potty training.

* You can "target train" a dog to go potty in a specific spot, as well as litter box train small breed dogs.*

So exciting, *Emerald's Real Deal at Everlast* (aka Vander) took Winners Dog both days at the Bell Vernon Kennel Assn, June 27th and 28th 2009. I might add these wins were from the 9-12 month puppy class! Good job baby boy!

So you have decided a Boxer is the dog for you. What is the next step? Whenever I instruct my puppy people on the up-bringing of a baby boxer, one thing I can not emphasis enough is socializing. This is the interactions they have while they are young with other dogs people, cats, any living thing you want them to live in harmony with when they grow up.

O.K, so this is a touchy subject. All of us in the sport of dogs and dog shows know that cropping of ears is nearly necessary to success of fulfilling the breed standard, as people have interpreted since the conception of the breed. However, we also know that it is an invasive procedure that requires a lot of research into just what happens with the surgery, the healing process, taping, and MOST important a reputable and skilled veterinarian who can perform the surgery without injuring or ruining the look of the dog.

To all us dog folks who have ever wondered what to get to pacify and occupy our dogs, this post is to try to educate you on what NOT to give to your dog. We all look for fun toys and chews to treat our pet, and are unaware of some of the dangers these items impose.