Bringing Children Into An Already 2 Boxer Home

atlas's mom · #1 10-30-2001, 03:32 PM

I have been visiting boxerworld for a couple weeks now and really feel comfortable with all the shared information. I now have a question:
Are there any special things a couple must do if they already have boxers in the home(spoiled rotten) and decide that they may want to have a human baby. My hsuband and I have been married for over 5 years and are now starting to talk about this a little. He says" How can we with the 2 boys in the house?" My old guy Atlas would likely be okay as I'm not sure what his future holds but our little "Kaycee" is wild(fun, smart, but loves to wrestle, jump, and play). If this is strictly a training issue on our part, fine, we'll figure it out. But I guess what I'm asking through all of this is: Can you prepare a Boxer for the arrival of a new baby? Sounds like many of you have done this! I would be scared that Kaycee would jump or sratch a tot because he doesn't know what it is. The only thing I have ever heard of is getting a doll that cries, etc. and start using it in the house.
Biological clock ticking but never without the Boxers

**Jan** · #2 10-30-2001, 10:31 PM

Lots of people have boxers and then have children. Obedience training would definitely be of benefit. If your boxers do anything, that you wouldn't want them to do when there is a baby in the house, now is the time to training them out of it. The sooner you do this the better. You don't want them to associate changes in their routine to the new baby.

Good luck,

ZDBoxer · #3 10-31-2001, 05:51 AM

I have found that older boxers do really well adapting to children. The pups however..well mine tended to lick and lick and lick. Once the kid started crawling then its tug o war with socks..and my one boxer actually de-panted my son! I would strongly suggest obediance training..but not only with dogs but with smaller kids. Maybe get a friend who recently had baby and let them come over. It worked well for me. My sister brought her baby over often. Once they get used to kids they tend to leave them alone if you ask them too. You have to remember though with spoiled dogs who have had all your love for a while..they will be a little jealous when the baby comes because now your attention is on the baby. Just try to make some "boxer" time and "crate" time during the day. It wont take them long to know that when their in the crate is baby's time on the floor. At least till the baby gets older and the dog is doing well with "leave the baby alone". Then you can elimiate crate time.

pep0987 · #4 11-10-2001, 05:23 PM

Boxers are great with kids. Yes you can prepare somewhat before hand. A babydoll is a great way. Do you have any freinds with small children 2 and under that would let you bring the dogs.Taking them to a park, with kids. With the baby doll , you have to treat it like a real baby,don't let the dogs lick to much jump or anytrhing like that. Boxers seem to know the differnce between adluts and children. I hope everything goes great.

Paws · #5 11-10-2001, 07:49 PM

My husband & I have just had a baby, and our boxer adapted really well to bringing her home. I think boxers adapt well because they are so much like children them self. I don't think you will really have a problem. they just know to be gentle.

MJ&Sams_Momma · #6 11-12-2001, 01:52 PM

I just had a baby about four months ago and Sampson is excellent with Mitch!! They've became the best of friends and every time Sam walks by Mitch, Mitch follows every move he makes. We didn't prepare Sampson for the coming baby, because like everybody else has said, boxers are truly a great dog to have around your skin babies. The only problem we have: lick,lick, lick!

Mitchell is now a licking post for Sampson. In fact, just this morning I wasn't paying attention and had Mitchell on my lap watching t.v. and my husband was on the phone talking to relatives. I guess Sampson was licking Mitchell right in the face and Mitchell was just a cooing and giggling.

My husband had to "break" the playing up since I was in lala land and not paying attention! So I guess if you are afraid of "death by slobbers" I wouldn't worry about a new addition to your family!!

Oh, and the boxer we had growing up was really protective of my brothers and I. Both my mother and father said that they never worried about us getting off of the school bus alone everyday as long as our boxer was home. He was a great family pet and an excellent "guard" for us kids!! We never even trained him, he just knew that we were in his "custody" until my parents came home! They're such neat dogs!!