Did we get a puppy too soon or choose the wrong type of dog altogether

Question
Hi Nicole.  We bought an 8 week old female boxer back in December.  We really didn't know anything about a "good" breeder or "bad" breeder and this was our first dog.  We did read a lot about Boxers and we really liked the look and read that they were very good with children.  We have 2 children right now.  We took her to the vet and she was very sick and very skinny.  Her name is Cocoa and she is now almost 7 months old.  She is potty trained, still a bit thin but the vet says she is healthy.  She inhales her food and we think it's because she must not have gotten fed often or she didn't have enough time with her mother.  Anyway, we started taking her on at least 1 walk a day (sometimes 2) for 45 minutes to an hour because she has SO MUCH energy.  I'm still working on mastering the walk because she does still pull on the leash and she is getting very strong. I'm seeing improvement but do they get any calmer as they get older?  Will I see a difference when she is a year?  Well we work full time so we thought it might help to get another boxer, a male, and then she will have someone to keep her company during the day.  We got Rocky 1 1/2 weeks ago at 7 1/2 weeks old and he is chubby and healthy and adorable.  We are crate training him but the two of them together, my goodness, pretty much drives us crazy.  We are taking turns staying home for the first few weeks as we did with Cocoa but I'd like to know a few things.  What is normal play for dogs?  Cocoa likes to grab a rope or toy and just bug Rocky to come get it and then they run around trying to steal it from one another.  They'll do this until I stop it.  When there is no toy, they are both kind of biting each other.  Is that normal play or is that aggression?  We have a doggy door and Cocoa usually gets to come and go as she pleases but now that Rocky is here and she bugs him even if he's in his crate, we will put her outside during the day.  I feel bad doing that but Rocky needs to nap and I can't stop doing everything all the time just to sit and watch them.  It seems that this is much more work than we thought.  We really thought it would be good for Cocoa to have another dog around but I'm not sure.  Can you tell me if it is good or bad either way to have 2 instead of 1?  When will I be able to leave them alone together?  We can't be home during the day after another week.  I read that boxers need a lot of exercise and attention.  The exercise is no problem.  I love walking and will love it more when she starts following and not trying to lead but is a boxer really not ideal for a family who is gone all day?  I am so torn because one side of me says that we bought them so it's our responsibility to do everything possible to make sure they are healthy, happy, balanced dogs.  Another side of me is like, stop trying to make something work that doesn't.  We have jobs and children and maybe we have to just admit that we chose the wrong type of dog for our family.  I refuse to just throw them in the back yard and not care.  There are so many people that do that and that was something that we agreed we would not do no matter what.  That is why I think this is harder for us.  We wanted a dog that could be a part of our family but that is ok with us working during the day. I guess we just assumed that they would be fine while we were at work as long as we walked them but now I'm thinking boxers need more than that.  Am I giving up too soon?  People say that when they are adults, they will totally mellow out a bit and the 2 will be fine together in the back yard when we're working but I'm not so sure.  If that is true, is it going to be like this for another year? Also, do you think we got another puppy too soon?  Should we have waited for Cocoa to be over a year old? There are a few options we are discussing, finding a good home for one or the other or both, or giving it 6 months and seeing how they do.  We did enroll them both in separate classes which I'm hoping will help to teach Cocoa how to interact with others and Rocky in a puppy class to introduce him to others.  I'm sorry for all of the questions.  I think I just want to know your opinion and advice on keeping them rather than finding them another home and also, if your advice is to keep them, what more advice can you give on raising them together and what is appropriate "play" for dogs.  Thank you so much for any help!

Answer
Phew!  That's a long one! lol

Ok...first thing's first.  In no way shape or form should she be walking for an hour at her age and stage of development.  The rule of thumb is 5 minutes per month of age until they are a year old and then you're free to walk however long you choose.  You run the risk of damaging joints and growth plates.  So tone down the walks a bit...35 minutes max.

What you described is normal Boxer play.  This is why those of us that love Boxers, do :)  One of the reasons anyway.  If you can't handle it now, you're going to be crazy for the next 10 years.  As they grow it's only going to get more 'violent' <-- just a word, don't panic!  They'll growl, wrestle, bark, jump, flip each other...it'll be like the WWF in your house and yard.

Boxers are extremely social animals.  Putting her in the backyard because you can't supervise is not an option.  She's already bored and full of energy...this is why and if you continue to do it you'll only make it worse.  They are not an outside breed...physically or mentally.  Putting them both in the backyard when you go to work is not an option.

Did you get a puppy too soon?  Yes.  Not because of her age, because she is untrained.  Now you have 2 untrained dogs...not so much fun is it?  :)  It's a common mistake thinking a dog 'friend' will help the original dog...doesn't happen.  Another dog doesn't take the place of proper socialization and training.  :(  

No dog is going to be right for your family if you aren't willing or able to put the proper amount of work in.  That's just a fact.  I'm not being harsh with you, it just is what it is.  It's not because they're Boxers (who, second to Labs, are one of THE best family dogs there are).

I can't give you advice on whether to keep one or both.  I don't know your family.  :)  What I can tell you, though, is that Boxers do not mature mentally until they are about 3 years old.  So you'll have puppy minds in dog bodies.  They physically stop growing between 18 and 24 months.  The way they play now will continue until they are too old and feeble for it to continue.

Currently, I have the ages 4, 8 and 10.  I also have another dog who is 5 and one that is 7.  You think 2 is bad?  lol  My 4 and 8 year old jump and wrestle with each other.  It's calmed down a bit but it's still sporadic throughout the day.

What I agree with is you saying you took on this responsibility and it's your job to make it work.  That's true.  But making it work is what's going to be best for the dogs...if that means rehoming them, then that's what you do.  :)

If you decide to keep them and give it a go, you need a longer time-line than 6 months.  You're looking at closer to a year.  I'd be happy to talk with you further via email.

Nicole@boxerdogplanet.com