Boxer questions

Question
QUESTION: 1. How often should you feed a inactive boxer? The reason i say inactive is because we work most of the day and he is crated for 10 hours during the day. I take him for walks in the morning before i go to work, when i come back from work and i walk him at night.  I feed him Natural Choice Lamb and Rice adult. I feed him in the morning about 1 1/4 cup.With one adult size milk bone as a treat after he eats and drinks Then when i come back from work i feed him 1 1/2 cups. He is 1 year old on June 15 and last time i weighed him he was at 55lbs three weeks ago. My friend that has a female boxer said he looks kinda skinny. His boxer looks like she has more meat on her. Should i be feeding him more?

2. What is your take on disciplining a boxer dog? Tyson could be quite stubborn sometimes. Especially off leach outside. I use the NILF method when he is in the house. I know that i am the Alpha in the household because he listens to me and only me. He sometimes listens to my wife, I know that would need to change because she need to be above Tyson. She usually spoils him and plays with him more. I sometimes find myself losing my anger and smacking the dog in the butt or mouth due to being to aggressive with other people growling etc. He is all bark and no bite. He is just being protective. Should I not be disciplining my dog? Thanks for all of your advice.


ANSWER: 1. I prefer to self-feed (allow food out for them all the time) but since you have him crated, it would have to be before he goes in and when he comes out. I would allow his food to be available to him at all times once he is out. Most Boxers eat little bits instead of a lot- they are "grazers."



Feed him more than what you are. Offer a big bowl full of his food and allow him to eat what HE wants. If he is too skinny, take him to the vet and have his thyroid checked. Thyroid disorders cause low weight and shedding.


2. Use a flyswatter for bad behavior. Swat his nose for barking and growling behavior, and butt for other offenses.

He is a typical Boxer and not a "trained Shepherd." Boxers are hard to "train" to behave so ridgidly, they are little puppy-clowns, and curious and social-friendly, easily excited and playful.

I will scold you for crating him and any dog for 10 hours. You can get into trouble crating your pet that many hours.

Can you hold your pee and poop 20 hours? Put yourself in his place and think about it.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your advice again. He is not technically in the crate for 10 hours straight. I have my brother in law come around the 4th hour and he walks him for 20 mins.Every week day. What do you recommend for the fact he is crated? Thank you once again.

Answer
If at all possible Chris, make a room up for him.

Most Boxer owners that work all day have a laundry room or spare bedroom devoted to their Boxer. They remove furniture, baby gate the door, etc.

I don't know if that's feesible for you or not, but it's the best way.

As far as crating him, as long as he is walked outside to pee every 4 hours, he should be fine. But the behavior of crating for extended periods will take it's toil. He'll need more love and attention once you are home and become more clingy.

But feed him twice as much as you are feeding him. As long as it's a excellent quality dog food, not purchased in a grocery store kind, he will be healthy.