Ever heard of SPAM?  Well, my website Contact Form was slammed with it to the point that it broke the page…and as a consequence I haven’t been able to get messages from all the wonderful people who have been trying to reach me.  What a mess!

The good news is that the Contact Us page is now fixed and you can once again submit your questions about living with, training and caring for your dog as well as any inquiries about available Boxer puppies. 

I’ve missed hearing from all of you so please, let the emails flow!

Today is only different in one way – fewer kids but more dogs.  11 of them to be exact. 

Ok, ok…I know most people would think me crazy, but I have 11 dogs and I love every one of them.  Granted, 5 of those 11 are puppies that are being held back for evaluation as they mature, but for the most part the rest of them have been with us for most of their lives, and ages range from 3 months to 9 years.  They are members of our family and because of that, leaving them in a boarding kennel has never been an option for me.  I wouldn’t leave one of my 5 children, so why would I leave my dogs, especially when I know they will be unhappy.

So, what is a person to do? 

Build a custom dog trailer, of course!

Here are some photos of our work in progress…

We started with a standard aluminum 5×8 utility trailer and added vents to keep things cool.  That is those “D” shaped things front and rear.  The supplier didn’t have 6 of all the same color so we ended up with 2 black covers.  I’ll paint them white eventually.  I’ll explain what the round things are in a minute. 

The next thing we did was add compartments inside.  I wanted to avoid using airline crates, and each compartment needed to be roomy enough that 2 large dogs would be very comfortable together.  We divided the interior into a total of 5 spaces – 4 compartments measuring 2.5 ft by 6 ft. and a 2 ft space just inside the door for supplies.  This is what we came up with.

We live in a part of the country where hunting with dogs is very common and it is not unusual to see a pickup truck with a wooden or metal box in the back that has holes cut into the side to allow the dogs confined within, to poke their heads out while they are being transported.  Well, my dogs are too spoiled to be treated like hunting hounds and I certainly did not want to just cut any old hole in the side on my trailer, but I did want to give the dogs the freedom to poke their head out and see the world in style.  Many long hours of research, looking for an affordable solution, led me to the idea to use marine deck plates as port holes.  We used the 10 inch size to accomidate Cypher’s large European heads.

As you can see, Miya and  y like that idea!  The problem is that 4 ports just aren’t enough room, so as a consequence, there is a lot of pushing and bickering going on over who’s turn it is to poke their head out, so we are planning to add more deckplates for a total of 8 portholes.  The other really nice addition is a small sliding window that is installed in the door that not only provides more ventilation, but gives me the ability to take a peek inside to check that everyone is doing ok.

Next time I will share what I came up with as a solution for the hot stagnant air that happens during the hot days of summer on the road, and how we plan to instantly know the interior temperature of the trailer to keep everyone happy and healthy. 

Before I go I would like to explain a little bit more about these deck plates we are using as portholes. 

They are meant to be installed on the deck of a boat where there might be sensitive equipment that needs to be closely monitored, but might be damaged by exposure to the elements.  To accomplish this, the center of each unit is clear like a plexi-glass window, and they screw in and out as needed.  By using these plates I have added lots of light as well as the flexibility to open and close them as the weather dictates.  It couldn’t be a more perfect arrangement!

Stay tuned, more photos are on their way!

The poor little thing was headed for the local psych ward for dogs suffering from separation anxiety when I got a call that asked…”Do you want a Boston Terrier?”

Well, it just so happens that I have always liked Bostons, and I have been considering adding a small breed to our kennel and Bostons are one of the breeds I have been considering, so of course I said, “Sure, I’ll take her and foster her with my litter of Boxer babies – they are the same age after all!”

Now, 3 weeks later, Trill believes herself to be just another Boxer and Miya is her reason for living.  We are working on that, but since Miya let her nurse right along with her own pups, this little girl is sure that Miya is the only mother she has ever had.

Everybody is weaned now, but Trill still loves Miya with a passion and will go to great extremes to get to her whenever possible.  At least she is now a bit more self assured and doesn’t become a howling, yeowling, terrified little puppy whenever she is removed from her “litter mates”.

What is Trill’s future here at B4 Boxers?  Well, for now she is learning who is the boss (me of course) and what it means to be a little dog in a house full of rather large feet.  Next fall she will become a 4H dog for my youngest daughter and who knows, maybe someday, the start of our venture into the world of breeding Boston Terriers.  Stay Tuned!

It took no time at all for people to speak for Glory and Luna so that leaves Nimbus, Breezy and little Wisp available as of today, December 1st.

Remember, this litter’s pedigree showcases some of the top winning dogs ever produced by the famous Boxella Kennels and include such notables as Ch. Boxella’s Masterkey, and Ch. Boxella’s Mario Valentino, who by the way, just recently passed away only 3 months shy of his 15th birthday! 

When you add the infusion of European blood from the mother’s side, who features the Boksdoorn Kennels from Belgium and del Colle dell’Infinito from Italy along with her own dose of prominant Boxella dogs, and you can see that there is great potential growing in these little babies.

Puppies will not be ready to go to their new homes until the week before Christmas at the earliest.

If you like the sire’s ears, then you are going to want me to schedule an ear crop to be done by my wonderful, and very talented Veterinarian and yes, I pass on my breeder’s discount for the surgery.

Don’t forget that payment arraingments are available as well as the option to use credit cards.

Happy Holidays!

The Advantages of Crate Training
Many dog owners have become quite partial to crate training as a means of potty training a puppy, and with good reason. A crate can perform a multitude of functions with your pup. For starters, it will offer a secure place for your dog to rest and sleep. And, restricting your pup to his crate whilst you are out will ensure that your home will still be in one piece when you get back. And finally, using a crate for potty training your puppy will teach your dog to hold his urge to eliminate until he is in a suitable location to do so. Most dogs will not eliminate in their crate because they know not to go to the bathroom in the same space that they sleep in.

Before placing your pup in his crate for a period of time, you must make sure that he has time outside to potty. When you let your pet out of his crate, you should always take him outdoors right away. A crate can be a excellent training tool when you are away from home, or if you are involved in an activity for a period of time that will keep you from watching your pet sufficiently.

Bear in mind that puppies should not be left in a crate all day, although they can sleep in one throughout the night. If you work all day, try to return home for lunch to give your pet a break, or have friend or neighbor come by your home to do so.

Paper Training
Paper training does not mean using a rolled newspaper to hit your pet when he potties in the house. That is actually the most ineffective means of potty training a puppy that there is. Paper training actually refers to indoor puppy potty training, where you teach your pup to go to the bathroom on papers or training pads that you lay down on the floor for him. This method of potty training for puppies is generally best done when you can restrict the pup to one room in the house, such as the kitchen. Whenever you see your pet start to nose around the floor like he is looking for a spot, take your pet to the paper potty. When he gets this process down, move the papers closer to the door. Eventually your pup will learn to go to the door when he requires to go to the bathroom.

Check out these articles for more practical advice
house training puppies
tips on housebreaking puppies
housetraining a puppy
Potty training your puppy may be challenging, but it is far from impossible. With a bit of consistency and patience, your puppy potty training will succeed much sooner than you might think.

Through the years my children have each taken turns as my nurse as I perform the procedure. They have learned the responsibility that comes with raising animals as they have helped with everything from the breeding to the birthing, and even the sad times when we must bury one that didn’t make it.

This litter started out with 11 puppies – a huge litter by just about anyone’s standard. Miya is a first time mom and I freely admit that she is more than a little spoiled, so as a consequence she was quite nervous about suddenly being faced with the task of caring for all these little squeaky bodies! I think I would have been nervous too!

As is sometimes the case, nature takes care of things, and one by one we lost puppies until we were down to our current number of 6 – a number that Miya seems comfortable managing.

Right from the start, two were not expected to live due to immaturity in one, and the other suffered injury during his birth when he got stuck in the birth canal and had to be forcefully pulled out. The other three appeared perfectly healthy except for the fact that they just didn’t gain any weight.

Despite my best efforts, puppies just failed to thrive and within 5 days had slipped away. My best efforts included supplementing them with formula, making sure everyone got a portion of colostrum, keeping them all at the right temperature night and day, and the part that took the most work, sleeping in shifts so that there was always someone awake to help Miya when she became overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do.

Sometimes, despite a herculean effort, puppies just don’t make it. That is part of the lessons of life that children learn from raising dogs.

Sometimes the pain of loosing these precious little babies is almost too much and I think about giving it up. Loosing a whole litter brings one very, very close to that threshold.

Thankfully this time, I can go and pick up one of the remaining puppies and marvel at the miracle of birth and watch with fascination as these little creatures grow and learn and begin to interact with each other and eventually with me. It is a wonderful process, even the painful part.

I guess if I ever get to the point that my heart doesn’t ache for each one lost, that will be the time to walk away. I can’t imagine that ever happening – I love them too much! Raising Boxer puppies is certainly a labor of love and I am one that puts my whole heart into it.

New photos have been posted on each of the puppies pages. Their eyes are open now and they are starting to get up on their feet and stagger around the whelping box. They are so darn cute!

Next week they will be introduced to a food bowl for the first time and probably take a swim in it as well. Be sure to check back – I’m going to post videos as soon as I figure out how my camera works!

I can, and often do, spend hours and hours just watching them as they learn how to find thier first meal all the way to playing tug of war with a littermate.  It is during these times of quiet observation, that I get to see how they interact with each other, when I learn about the personality traits of each pup.  This is when I gain the insight that is invaluable when it comes time to place these pups in new homes.  There aren’t many breeders out there that spend the time to get to know their pups as individuals.  It makes it harder to let them go because in getting to know them, I fall in love with them.  That too is to the advantage of the puppy buyer because my puppies know the joy of being loved by a human from a very young age, and it shows.  One of the most common comments I hear from new owners is “I swear this puppy can read my mind!”  Maybe they do.  

I invite you now to take advantage of this opportunity to watch as our new litter of puppies grow.

Most people do not get the opportunity to get to know a litter of puppies until they are 6-8 weeks of age, usually when they arrive to pick one to buy.  This is your chance to see what breeders see, the evolution of individuality that comes as a puppy matures from a tiny little newborn into a bouncy, wiggly and totally lovable bundle of energy that is ready to go to his or her new home.

On a weekly basis I will post new photos and a description of each puppy’s behaviors, cute events and other information that makes each pup distinctive from the other.

From a breeder’s perspective, I will share with you the things that I look for when choosing a pup and also how I guage their personalities so as to place them in suitable households where there will not be any personality conflicts that could lead to an unhappy family.  I call it “Personality Matching” and it is something that I specialize in.  Personality matching is part of the reason why, after almost 30 years of raising Boxer Puppies, I have had very, very few needing to be re-homed.  Most of them have enjoyed a lifetime home in the same household I placed them in to begin with.

I will even share with you the everyday tasks like teaching them to eat from a dish or use a litterbox, that while they may seem mundane to me, may be very fascinating to you.  I will try my best to remember to explain the whys of how I do things as well as the hows. If I miss something or you think of a question you would like to have answered, please contact me and I will address it in my next post.

It is my hope that by sharing this experience with you, it will help you in choosing a pup of your own.  Whether it be one of ours or someone else’s, if this information will help you to make a wise choice then at least one more Boxer puppy will have found a forever home.

Mom with contented pups

A great deal of anticipation has surrounded the breeding of Miya with Beau and now the wait is over. Check out the Puppies page to see photos of the new arrivals and view the pedigree chart for each parent.

Why would this pairing envoke so much excitement? Miya’s breeding combines some of the best breeding to come out of the Van de Boksdoorn Kennels in Belgium with a solid history of top quality American champions. Combine her with Beau – who’s breeding represents more than 50 years of top winning Champions produced by the Boxella Kennels in Cininnatti, Ohio and you will begin to get the picture.

A list of applicants was started from the time the breeding was announced but a few pups are still available. If you have the desire to own one of these fine puppies be sure to contact us right away.

If you’re considering a Career Training Dogs, you should give it as much thought as you would seeking a career in medicine or the priesthood.

Some persons may think that a real love for pets would be enough to make it big in such a vocation. However, this isn’t accurate at all.

Here are 5 questions that you should pose yourself before considering on pursuing a dog training profession:

1. Are you a tolerant person? Pet training needs tolerance. Heaps and lots and lots of tolerance. Bear in mind that pets won’t be able to perceive human speech. You will have to rely on connective strategies to teach them certain skills and designs. This will need a lot of effort, and this will need a lot of time.

2. Are you a pet enthusiast? It’ll be pointless to even think about a dog training vocation if you aren’t. Visualize an individual wanting to be a chef without any zeal for excellent delicacy. You should love pets. At the very least, you should be interested with pets.

3. Can you stand pets? Can you survive their smell? Can you bear the view of their poop? Will you be able to understand that some pets aren’t potty trained, and they can deposit a waste just about everywhere and always without forewarning?

4. Do you have fast reflexes? Some pets don’t welcome visitors very well. They may claw, or worse, sink teeth into unidentified groups to guard themselves and shield their alleged territories. Sadly, a dog training occupation states that the dog handler will always be the alien. Would you realize what to do? Would you discern how to conduct yourself when the dog suddenly becomes aggressive?

5. Are you in perpetual need of approval? If you are, go enter a singing game. A dog training career is a thankless occupation. Ask dog trainers who have consumed years, and some even decades, coaching dogs into well-behaved pets. The dogs will receive all the credit. pet handlers will often be downgraded to the background, entirely unrecognized when their dog scholars display all the nifty tricks they have learned.

A dog training profession isn’t for all. Nevertheless, it remains a rewarding vocation for anybody who has a delight for dogs and an aptitude for all the necessities discussed above.

If you would like to learn more about a Career as a Dog Trainer, click on Dog Training Career .OR Career Training Dogs