I'm Sucha Dingbat!!

Chelebellhel · #1 01-18-2006, 08:32 AM

Hello, All! I introduced myself a couple of weeks ago...Chele, talking about how our lil furbaby was 2 wks. old and all...I don't know if I was having a brainfart of all brainfarts or what, but to make a long story short, sorta, lol, Murry just turned 6 WKS! Monday!! and will be coming home this coming Monday!! the 23rd! OMG! He was born the 1st of Dec. not the 21st. I'm a major scatterbrain but this tops the cake, LOL.
Anywhooo, I have been reading Boxer books like crazy, taking notes, and such, and I just had a few questions for the Boxer parents out there:
1. Murry is currently eating a canned dog food the breeder is giving the pups, when I gradually switch over, do any of you prefer Puppy Chow or Beneful for your Boxers? This is what I did with Maxx, our Foxhound, but since Murry is a Boxer, I wanted to know if this sounded all right? I know diff breeds need diff nutritional needs.
2. I will be bell training him for potty time. I also want to clicker train him. Does anyone think this will be confusing and overwhelming? I don't want him to be a nervous wreck. He's already going to be coming to a weird place he's never seen.
3. Now, here's one that might seem really dingy...I always let our dog Maxx know when something was bad by giving a loud clap, she instantly knew, but I didn't clicker train her. Although the sounds are diff, but kinda alike, would these be confusing...the whole click for positive, clap for negative?
I know, I am a total Dingbat. I'm sorry, but I am one of those people who have to read everything, take notes, talk to experience people, to know I am doing everything posible the "right" way or at least trying 100% to.

Thanks for everything in advance,

Chele

Dunkin · #2 01-18-2006, 09:00 AM

Puppy Chow, Beneful, NO NO!!! Not good. I did not know this until I joined BW I thought I was feeding mine a good food WRONG. There are lots of threads here on feeding your new puppy search them. I know nothing about clicker training so can't help there. sorry. But CONGRATS on your new baby!!! keep asking ?'s and someone here will have the answers.

Maxwell's Ma · #3 01-19-2006, 06:05 AM

We trained Maxwell with the clicker. You really just use it to mark the desired response to a command. Then once they get it you don't have to use the clicker. They will know what to do.
When Maxwell came home at 71/2 weeks old I used the Nothing In Life Is Free to train him from the get go. He had to sit to eat and go outside or what ever. So, he learned to sit right away. I had to be patient cause it too him awhile and he was so young.

As far as the food. Please do a search. I started Maxwell on Neutro Ultra for adults and now he is eating Chicken Soup. It is the best thing I did for him. His coat is shinny and he is growing just fine. The vet is always amazed at how well he is doing. The foods you mentioned are like feeding your children fast food every meal. Most puppy formulas have too much fat and some too much calcium in them.

Congratulations on your new pup!!

fayebay1969 · #4 01-19-2006, 06:07 AM

I don't think it makes you a dingbat. If so, then I am too. I called my relatives who've had boxers and bought the book. I'm on this site more than I work. (shhhhh) So, I guess I'm guilty also. I think it means we just want to be prepared no matter what.

beausmommy · #5 01-19-2006, 01:35 PM

I think what we're all trying to say is that you'll only be a dingbat if you feed Puppy Chow or Beneful

The right food is VERY important for the growth and health of your boxer. Do some research in the feeding forum and you'll find some much higher quality foods. Congratulations on your new baby. I can't wait to see pictures!