Yes. Do keep her crated while no one is around to watch. You might, for
a bit, also crate Sherman. There could be some "jealousy" issues if he's
always free. HOWEVER. He was there first. He's going to be bigger. Back
him as the higher ranked dog of dogs. Feed him first. Let him out of the
crate first. Acknowledge him first. You'll have less problems with her
if YOU show slight preference to him. Don't go all human and think "I
love all my babies the same." Of course you do -- but if you love them,
you need to work to NOT have problems. And that comes from pack dynamics.
Stink eye may happen while they flesh out between themselves who is
"head dog." Remind them YOU and the HUMANS are ALWAYS Head Dog -- they
fall in behind. While I let a bit of "tussling" happen, once it gets too
much, I step in as "Leader of the Pack" and force the time out. BE
CAREFUL. My dogs know that intentionally biting me is a complete and
utter NO. However, when there is a tussle going on, I have been nailed
any number of times -- although if the dogs realize they have actually
touched ME and not the other, all fighting has stopped. But, then, I've
had mine since they were babies. You may have more of a learning curve,
simply because yours are being introduced into the family dynamic with
age already on them. Doesn't matter how it happens -- All bites are met
with strong "You TOUCHED the Pack Leader" acknowledgment -- No hitting,
but I go all Mad Angry Pack Leader with voice and attitude to the biter
especially both both because they both were involved in it happening.
Most recently, my experience has been with Meghan (who came to me when
she was 8 weeks) and Cooper (who was 6 months and Meg was 4-1/2). Cooper
pushed the envelope more, both with me and Meg, I think because he was
older when he joined the house. He hadn't grown up having me already in
place as head honcho. Meg tended to be laid back with Cooper, but the
few times Cooper tried to really push for top dog spot, she pushed back
-- BUT there was never any blood drawn. Amazed me. One method I found
with Cooper that emphasized when he pushed me (a growl or stink eye out
of place) was a correction and then when he pushed back, I literally
picked him up, laid him down on his side and held his head down. This is
a Dog Position of Power. The Alpha in a pack will, if pushed hard
enough, actual put the pusher down and place a paw on their neck to hold
them down ... emphasizing their position and strength. I only had to do
this twice with Cooper.
As to when they are playing and when they are more serious. Believe me,
there is a complete sound difference. You'll know it when you hear it.
Boxers when playing have a higher toned bark and growl. When serious,
that tone comes from deep in those deep chests -- much deeper, stronger,
harsher sound. At play, a boxer sounds much more like a small dog with
sharp staccato bark bark. When angry or on guard, the sound is a deep,
slow WOOF WOOF. Again. You'll know it when you hear it.
Good luck.
LisaW
vida townsend wrote:
>
> Good Morning everybody!!
> Well, years ago when I joined these lists, everyone said that Boxers
> were like potato chips--can't have just one! We adopted Sherman in
> January from the wonder people at Louisiana Boxer Rescue. We had
> thought about getting a puppy for Sherman to have some company, but
> the dear family that fostered Sherman was fostering Bailey--and Rachel
> and I talked and decided that they would be good for each other. We
> think that someone probably used a heavy hand with this baby-she was
> pulled from the Vermillion Parish shelter which is a gassing shelter,
> along with 2 male Boxers--not sure if they were from the same family.
> Anyway, my dear daughter Ellen (couldn't have made either of these
> trips without her) left Friday and drove to Monroe LA, spent the
> night, and then drove with Sherman to Alexandria LA to meet Rachel,her
> husband, 2 year old son and Bailey at PetSmart there. Bailey is really
> thin--gotta get some meat on those bone, was spayed two weeks ago, and
> is a
> cuddler. She is a bit smaller than Sherman, but we think that she is
> about 9 1/2 months old and he is 16 months old.
>
> Now, we have never had two Boxers before, so of course I need help and
> advice!! And you all are so wonderful and understanding--so of course
> I turn to the lists.
> They have gotten along well so far. I bought a crate for Bailey and
> crated her last night. Sherman has his crate which he goes in and out
> of whenever he wants to--roams the house during the day. I plan to
> crate Bailey in the morning when we all go to school and work--will
> come home mid morning to check and then Jim and Ellen will both be
> home during lunch. I just think that she at least needs to be crated
> when we are not home until they get used to each other--please chime
> in here anyone--but should I crate Sherman also, or just leave him to
> his regular routine. I don't want to cause any friction---and yes--I
> do attribute "human" characteristics to the dogs!! She will not be
> crated when we are home, and most probably eventually she will be
> allowed to go in and out of the crate whenever just like
> Sherman---advice please.
>
> Also, I know Boxers "mouth" a lot when playing and make noises--how do
> I tell when it is about to get out of hand? Bailey has not barked or
> made any real noise --Sherman makes lots of noise and it is not really
> growling, but he is bigger than she is at this point and I don't want
> to let them get out of hand. They have been in the yard, running and
> bucking and playing. She also immediately jumped into mine and
> Sherman's chair--but he has been good about it--so far.
>
> We have only had two "stink eye" episodes--one from each of them and
> it was in the Jeep on the way home--imagine--meeting a new "sister"
> and then being put in the back of a Jeep Cherokee and riding for 6
> hours--with stops of course! Sort of like if Jim brought home a new,
> young wife and made me share my house with her--ha ha!
>
> Anyway, this is the scenario and please give me any tips or advice
> about having two boxers in the same house. They are both sweet and
> loving and when Bailey get some weight on her bones, she will be able
> to handle Sherman. She was fostered with 4 other dogs--three of which
> are male Boxers, so she know the ropes--she lived with Rachel and
> family for about 3 1/2 weeks, so she was just getting used to them
> before I got her. Bless her heart--I am sure that she is confused!!
> Hope you all have a wonderful day and please let me hear from you all!
>
> Vida
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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