Integrating a Boxer into Your Household
By the time you get your boxer home, you need to have decided where he will eat, sleep, play, and potty and who will feed, walk, train, and play with the dog and when. All of this should be well thought out in advance of the dog coming home, and the plan should be ready to be implemented the minute he comes through the door. This will include having purchased all supplies, equipment, and toys, and knowing how to use everything.
Do whatever it takes to ensure that your boxer is comfortable in his new home.
Integrating the Older Boxer
Most of the discussion in this chapter has been about how to bring a new puppy into your home, but what if you decide that an older dog is best for you? Well, many of the same rules apply in bringing your new adult boxer home with you. You need all the same equipment, except, perhaps, on a larger scale.
If you get your new adult boxer from a boxer rescue organization, you want to make sure that you get as much information about the dog as possible. The organization should know something about the dog, even if he was an anonymous surrender. Your new boxer should have been tested with other dogs, cats, children, and so on. The rescue organization should also be able to tell you how he reacts to a variety of situations and if he has any significant quirks, such as a fear of thunderstorms or bicycles.
If you decide to get an adult rescue boxer, the rescue organization should also be able to tell you if your boxer is already crate trained. The same is true if you get a retired show dog or one that did not like to show. A show dog will likely be familiar with a crate, which makes your job easier from the start.
You need to ask as many questions as possible about your dog so that you know as much as you can about housetraining, food needs, known food allergies or intolerances, compatibility with other animals and children, and tolerance of new situations in general.
