It's crunch time....

jwray · #1 10-08-2008, 08:03 PM

The wait is finally over. Lennox is coming home on Friday. We are planning on crating him over night and of course keeping it in our bedroom for a while so he doesn't get lonely. I plan on setting the alarm for every few hours to let him out to go potty. He is my first dog, and I'm beginning to get a little nervous. Just wondering if anyone has any advice to get us through the first few days? I just want to make this transition as easy as possible for my baby boy.

LOUDOGBOXER · #2 10-09-2008, 08:03 AM

Only advice on the crate is to stay diligent- It can be really hard when you have a cute little boxer baby crying and smushing their face against the crate. And you were right about setting the alarm, and what PDboxer said about having the weekend. Are you getting the pup from a breeder? If so, alot of breeders will have a blanky that has been with the mother to give you. This can comfort them in the crate or to lay with. If they don't offer one maybe you can ask. I'm sure it will go well

SweetCody · #3 10-09-2008, 11:22 AM

We got some stuffed animals that the puppies had been playing with for a while when we got my baby girl. Cody didn't come with anything. We started Cody in the kitchen in a crate, he cried and cried until we got up with him. After a hellish week of passing out on the sofa with the baby, we dragged the crate into our bedroom and never heard another peep from him. With Aniah we started her in a crate right next to Cody's in our bedroom, she still to this day (only two months) whines and cries almost every night. I know it is my fault b/c I got week and started to put her in the bed next to me so I could sleep. Now of course she wants to sleep in Mommies arms every night. She is getting a little better now, but I would have to say she keeps me awake for about 45 minutes 3 to 4 times a week.

Other than sharing my experiences, I would just say kisses hugs and all kinds of fun with your new baby. Enjoy them as they grow so fast, that little puppy cuteness goes to quick. My baby girl (16 weeks) is already 31 lbs. My sweet boy Cody is 70 lbs now, but he still thinks he is a baby and fits in my arms. And of course I make room for him. He is my snuggle bug.

suzyqdogsmom · #4 10-09-2008, 01:46 PM

If you want him crate trained, start right away and be prepared for some whining/carrying on, but stick with it. If he knows you will come running, he will really sing the blues. If you don't have anything for him to sleep with from his mom or littermates, they often will like something that smells like you. If you have an old towel, or sweat shirt or something like that, wear it for a while, or sleep on it for a while and give it to the pup in his bed. After he adjusts to his new home whatever you are training him to do - everyone should be consistent in the method used and what is expected of him. It is much easier for you and him. I bet he is just gorgeous, and of course no dog ever got too much love and attention no matter what the age. Good luck with your new baby.

SweetCody · #5 10-10-2008, 12:39 PM

Today is the big day.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your new little one. Hope you are well rested

b/c you aren't going to sleep this weekend. Oh puppy love

.

laurelheebsh · #6 10-10-2008, 01:56 PM

I hope you're having fun with Lennox already!

lilboxerbaby · #7 10-10-2008, 02:45 PM

SO exciting! I bet your excited. Venus is my first dog too. We've had her for 6 weeks now. We crated her from the first night and she does great with it. Stick with the crate unless you do plan to let him sleep with you forever. haha. We didn't have to set an alarm for Venus... she WAS the alarm. She still wakes us up when she needs to go pee or poo every night. We never did the set schedule though, so I'm not sure how well that works. Maybe that will work better for you or maybe some others can share their experience on the set schedule potty times. Don't be nervous... there is tons of help on this site! It has definitely helped make things so much easier for me!

C

jwray · #8 10-10-2008, 08:11 PM

Well Lennox has been home for a little while now. I can already tell that sleep is not going to be an option tonight. Lennox is already getting himself into lots of trouble. But he is doing very well. He loves bf and I both. But those teeth may cause stitches for one of us soon. He has been barking a lot and of course crying tons. He has taken well to his crate already. We were playing in it and he got tired and is sleeping there now.

I also took him out on the leash earlier and he did very well with it. I'm hoping the next couple of weeks go fast so that we can get through this tough transition. Thanks all for the advice.

lilboxerbaby · #9 10-10-2008, 09:01 PM

Just don't get discouraged if he moves backwards on things (like the leash).

Keep up the motivation and love towards Lennox because it takes a lot!!!!

We bought a harness because we found that it's harder for Venus to chew on when we walk her. She did very well at first and then changed her mind and decided she wanted to chew on the leash. Plus we are seeing that it's easier on her, so that way it's not choking her when she tries pulling away from us. (I read on here that there is a certain age recommended before using the leash because of fear that it will hurt their throats).

Goodluck with Lennox he'll be so much fun when he comes around to his surroundings!!!

C

jwray · #10 10-11-2008, 07:39 AM

I am so proud of my boy. He slept so well last night. We left him in the crate with the door open just to help him get used to it. I wasn't ready to shut the door yet. And he stayed there almost all night! Of course he let us know when he needed to go potty. He's such a good boy