How to Raise Boxer Puppies

Boxers are one of the most engaging breeds in the canine kingdom. They are great clowns and are affectionate, energetic and devoted to their owners. Boxers are good hearing dogs and typically very alert and fearless. Above all, they are boisterous, happy family dogs that love children. Being a social breed, boxers, like most dogs, do not thrive in an outdoor, solitary environment. Their high energy level and needs can make them a challenge to raise. They are not for everyone.

Things You'll Need

  • Boxer book
  • Quality food
  • Leash
  • Collar
  • Toys
  • Crate
  • Bed
  • Vaccinations
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan for your new boxer puppy's arrival well in advance by creating a safe environment for it to grow up in. Consider purchasing a crate in molded plastic or wire mesh to use in potty training and to provide a sense of security. Read books on how to properly crate train. Purchase a book dedicated to the boxer breed to understand their needs.

    • 2

      Provide a collar and leash for the new boxer puppy. Ensure that the collar is a flat type made from soft leather or synthetic material. Watch for collars that can get snagged on anything. Avoid choke type collars at a young age. Purchase a leash no longer than 6 feet. Ensure that the clasp is sturdy metal. Graduate to a longer flexible leash as the puppy grows to allow it to run.

    • 3

      Purchase separate bowls for water and food, and keep water available at all times. Choose a tough plastic or stainless steel bowl. Ensure that bowls cannot splinter. Boxers can chew and should not have access to sharp plastic. Ask friends, veterinarians and pet food stores for their recommendations on dog food. Boxers can be prone to digestive issues and can have a lot of gas or food sensitivities. Avoid table scraps. Switch foods if allergic reactions occur.

    • 4

      Purchase sturdy toys for your boxer, as they are athletes and love to play. Provide hard, nylon indestructible toys for teething. Buy soft frisbee-type toys, large balls, and stuffed animals for play time. Be careful with your selection of toys to ensure you haven't chosen a toy your boxer can accidentally swallow.

    • 5

      Provide a comfy bed. Purchase a large bed that can go from puppyhood to adulthood and provide a sense of security and a place to lay. Avoid letting your boxer sleep in cold or drafts; they do not have a heavy coat. Place a hot water bottle in your new puppy's bed, as it is used to being curled up with its mother.

    • 6

      Puppy proof your home. Put child-proof locks on cabinets, and take precautions with electrical cords. Remove toxic houseplants that can get chewed.

    • 7

      Provide exercise for your boxer puppy. Boxers love to run. Ensure your boxer's safety while outdoors by keeping it in a fenced enclosure. Your boxer does not need vast open fields in which to run to get the proper exercise. Play fetch or games of chase to fulfill your boxer's need to run.

    • 8

      Provide your boxer with tons of love. Teach it good habits, and keep it on a regular feeding and walking schedule. Train your puppy to sit and come when very young; they are most impressionable and learn basic commands very easily. Potty train it so it makes a good in-home companion. Consider getting obedience lessons so that your boxer is a good citizen and ambassador of the breed.

    • 9

      Create a relationship with a vet to whom you can trust your boxer's life. Properly vaccinate the boxer puppy as needed. Get regular checkups from your vet. Consider purchasing pet health insurance, which can help you with unexpected expenses. Spay and neuter your boxer if it is not a show dog.