Preparing a home for two new family members

sararay · #1 04-23-2009, 04:40 PM

A week from now we will be taking home two female boxers, Harlee (9) and Kaci (3). Their family is having to move and can't take them. We have met them already and absolutely love them, they seem to love us too and we are looking forward to bringing them home. They are mother and daughter and absolutely love each other. Harlee is the established Alpha matron.

My husband and I have both had dogs before and have trained them but usually from puppyhood. Neither of us has ever had a boxer, but we have researched the breed and feel that they are the right fit for us. We have had the chance to ask the previous family about their temperments and we were told they have been socialized to other dogs and small children. Are there any other questions that we should ask about them? Any other things we should know while we have the chance to ask the previous family? Is it appropriate to ask for a list of commands they know?

We aren't going through an official rescue organization, so I have read up on what to expect when taking an adult dog to a new home. DH and I made sure we arranged to pick them up on the day before I had a three day weekend so I could be there while they got used to a new environment and family. Our plan (I am a planner,

) is to just have a quiet evening the first night we are home with them. Then just observe them through the weekend and see how they relax into their new environment. We will play it by ear. I really feel like the transition will be easier for them because they are coming to us together. I expect them to adjust very well in our loving environment.

I just have a few more questions, if anyone cares to help with one or more of them:

One school of thought is to let the dogs explore their new home at their own pace. Another school of thought is to lead them around the house on a leash to show them their food, water and bed. They will be house dogs and will be allowed in all areas of the house, and they are house trained, so either way would be OK for us. What is best for a boxer?

Is it too soon to try to take them for a walk on the first full day they are with us? If not, how will we know when they are ready to go for a walk with us?

Some people recommend not feeding them for the first 24 hours until they calm down, but won't this stress them out more?

Their previous family just left food for them out all day and they are in good shape and healthy, but I have read that boxers should not have food available to them all the time. Is that something you would recommend changing or should we just keep the feeding "schedule" that they are used to?

We sometimes care for my mom's lab mix (very friendly and loves other dogs) so they will have to eventually get to know him. How long should we wait before introducing them to other family members' dogs? (weeks, months?)

Thanks in advance for helping out a new BW member and excited soon-to-be boxer mommy.

djheitz · #2 04-24-2009, 10:38 AM

Congratulations and thank you for giving Harlee and Kaci a new home! Earlier this week, I posted the guidlines our rescue has on bringing a new dog (or in your case dogs) home. It's in this thread: Foster Bit my 2 year old Skin Child

You have the right idea in keeping things calm for the first few days and it should be a little easier since they have already met you. Take them for walks as soon as you're ready. I don't think anyone here will agree with leaving the food bowl out continuously, but I wouldn't withhold food from them, either. Hold off on intros to other dogs until everyone is comfortable with the new routines.

Ask as many questions as you can with the previous owners, including whether or not they will be would be available later for other questions. If you can get the vet records (or the name of the vet), you'll at least have a medical history. If the dogs are on any kind of a schedule, you'll want to stick with it for the first few days, too.

Hope this helped - Good luck!

sararay · #3 04-24-2009, 01:06 PM

Those are great guidelines that I have read on many of the boxer rescue forums. That is basically what our plan is. Thank you for the reassurance.

I agree with you on not leaving the food out all the time also because I don't want to attract ants and/or rodents as we live close to a river.

We did get the name of the vet so that is in order.

Thanks again!

Boomer Dog · #4 04-24-2009, 01:43 PM

I just wanted to commend you for becoming new parents for these Boxers! Good Karma!!

rhyswill · #5 04-26-2009, 05:05 PM

We were VERY surprised when we adopted Blaze (owner surrender) and had the previous owner call and ask if we had any concerns or issues that needed to be covered. There is always something you forget to ask that the previous owner may bring to light ("...has Blaze tried to jump the fence - he was bad about that... I wasn't sure if that was mentioned when you picked him up.") Usually nothing major, but important enough it will bug you until you can ask or it resolves itself.

Good luck with the girls and be prepared for LOTS of love and endless entertainment!