Puppy question

My2Beauties wrote: OK Brian and I are getting his older brother a Boxer puppy for Christmas. We pick him up on the 19th of December and he will be at our house for the remainder of the days until Christmas morning when we give him to his brother. I'm scared the thing is gonna poop all over my house, we want to keep him gated up in the kitchen while we're away at work and my dad will be in town for part of the time we have the dog, but what is the best way to make sure he doesn't chew everything in sight up, what if he whines at night, I don't want him waking up Hanna. Any suggestions?

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Speaking from experience with puppies, if you don't want anything chewed up, put it where the puppy can't reach it! Keeping it gated in the kitchen while you're gone is a good idea, but if you have it out while you're home you just have to keep a sharp eye on it because it will probably have to pee a lot. You can't really always tell when they're going to go either, the best way to avoid pee and poop all over your house it to let it out to go potty every 15 minutes or so - and right away after feeding it or giving it water.
As for the whining, I don't know - maybe it will be a good little puppy and sleep all night and not whine. But if it isn't I don't really know of any way to make it stop!

jolene555 replied: I know that when my dogs were puppies we bought this spray, that when sprayed on newspaper you've laid out, the dog wants to go potty on it. It was a lifesaver - had them paper trained in a day!! Make sure he has plenty of tasty things to chew on - rawhide, bones, or it you want to invest in a great toy get a kong (sp?). A kong is this ball type thing that you can put a treat inside, and the dog goes nuts trying to get to it - keeps them entertained for hours, and great for pups.

I'm not sure what to suggest to keep him quiet at night. After a year of my dogs barking and whining thru the night we gave in and they've slept with us ever since. I've heard that some dogs like having a mirror, while others feel the need to bark at the "other dog" all night. I've heard some like having a ticking clock that reminds them of a human heartbeat. But, like I said, none of this worked for us. Good luck!

coasterqueen replied: I really have no clue but what about getting a cage to keep him in while you are at work so he can do his duty in there and can't chew anything up?

Sorry I'm really no help because I couldn't cage a dog up...but them again I believe in letting them roam free...not fenced in. Can you tell I live in the country?

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: We just got a puppy about 2 months ago. I know your not keeping the dog so probably don't want to spend to much money but if someone else will ahve a role in taking car of ityou can see if they wan to but some thing like a Crate that is our lifesaver for the night time whining, she knows when she goes in the crate it is time to sleep. When we got her it was her first night away from the rest of the litter, so she whined for a couple nights while getting used to being alone.
For the day time chewing...can you out it outside where there is nothing to chew on. We used a play yard (same as we now use for our christmas tree ) to keep her confined, she is a super climber and leaned how to get out after a couple of days, but all the rest of her sisters can still be confined with it.
Good luck

My2Beauties replied:
I'm with you on that, I don't believe in keeping them caged up neither really! My friend has a pit bull and a full grown boxer and she keeps them in little cages all day that they can barely turn around in and she works a weird schedule like 11-8 or something like that so those dogs stay in there from morning to night! I think that is wrong! Especially for a big huge dog! I think if they sleep in one at night it's fine, as long as they're sleeping but that they shouldn't be caged up all day!

Thanks for all of your ideas guys!

jcc64 replied: I think most dog trainers do reccommend a cage/crate when training a puppy, particularly house training. Providng the cage is large enough, the dogs come to feel secure in their cages, especially at night. It will help the puppy train much much faster, and will prevent all sorts of accidents and mishaps. It will also help the puppy trasition from your house to your BIL's.

My2Beauties replied:
Oh I didn't know that, thanks for the tips!

coasterqueen replied: I agree the cage thing would be helpful and just think you won't be doing it for very long before giving it to brother .

aspenblue1 replied:
ITA ! I personally have crate trained most all of my dogs it is a lot easier plus it gives them a place of their own. Now I do not agree with them constantly being in a crate but I know with my Shepherd that had severe seperation anxiety he was in a crate when I left until he was 2 and he loved it! He went where it was and cried when we put it away. Also anytime my dogs wanted to be alone they would go in their crates.

3xsthefun replied: Ok I just realized I sounded rude. Sorry.

I think if you can crate him would be best.

My2Beauties replied:
because that is what he asked for He has wanted a boxer puppy for years and years and years but could never get the $400 together that they cost. His wife has 2 cats and he always wanted a dog. We sort of tricked him and told him that we couldn't get him a dog because of the cost involved so he expecting something else now but believe me this is all he talks about to his wife, so since she couldn't afford it Brian and I stepped in! He would take great care of the puppy. Oh and if for some reason he ever wanted to get rid of it we would take it in a heartbeat! I love Boxers! He loves boxers, those are his favortie dogs!

3xsthefun replied: Ok that is good to hear. Boxers are great dogs! I have one myself

I hope he will enjoy his Christmas present.

Again sorry for sounding rude earlier. I'm such a big animal lover and I don't like to see anything bad happen to animals.

My2Beauties replied:
Yes I see from the beautiful avatar pic! You didn't come off rude to me, just sounded concerned for animals. Thanks!

favre4fan replied: I have 2 boxers Kay and Koal and they are wonderful. Crating them or putting them in the kitchen is a good idea , just make sure that everything they can get into is picked up. Both of mine were crate trianed and fortunately when we were training them my Dh worked around the corner and could go home to let them out often. the male was a bit tougher than the female to train. Hope this helps!!

My2Beauties replied: Thanks guys!

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
Yes. My dog sleeps in a crate at night and when we are away during the day for a couple of hours. He never messes in his crate, either.

My2Beauties replied: This is great advice, come to find out the guy we bought the puppy from called us last night and we may have to go get the puppy this sunday! Can I say "ay chihuahua" a puppy for 2 whole weeks and Hanna, I am gonna go crazy! I love dogs and puppies don't get me wrong I just want a house with a nice backyard and stuff first before I ever got one, this poor puppy is not gonna have backyard to play in for 2 weeks but oh well we'll walk him plenty, I;m probably gonna get really attached to the little fella and then not want to give him to Brian's brother