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My husband decided he wanted a pair of boxers (not for breeding) so we foudn a breeder and aquired a female we named sassy. Then he found a white boxer (i know they can only have limited registration) and we named him Mace. Before we were able to get them their shots (within 2 weeks of having them!!!) out neighbor, unbeknowenst to us had a dog with parvo. They let their dog defecate in our yard..and I think you can guess what happened. After a week for both of them in the vet Sassy died and Mace survived. However, because of complications with the parvo weakening his system, he's been sickly and such until recently when he's actually started to fill out. He was three months when he contracted Parvo and he's now 11 months old. The point in explaining all of this 9on a GSD sight.lol) is that I had a GSD when I was younger and my husband agreed to get a GSD dog instead of another boxer. We picked up a puppy (from a reputable and CLEAN breede r) two weeks ago. I feed him first and until she is housetrained she sleeps in the bathroom (on a nice bed) while he is in our bedroom..I am trying to make sure he doesn't feel threatened but two days ago he has started growling at her when she comes up to me. Mace is my husbands buddy, but in our family the dogs (and kids for that matter!lol) look to me for food, bathroom breaks, treats, and training. I am asking advise on a way to smooth the way for Brandy without ruffling Mace's nerves, or haivng to cut her off or ignore her. As I said, Mace is really my husbands buddy and more like my dependent...Brandy was to be my companion, BUT i understand that to dogs they decide who is who. He's on the full road to being at his best potential as a comapnion and family member and I don't want to sabotage that by clumsy handling. For pics of mace and brandy come here!

Mace and brandy

>>My husband decided he wanted a pair of boxers (not for breeding) so we foudn a breeder and aquired a female we named sassy. Then he found a white boxer (i know they can only have limited registration) and we named him Mace. Before we were able to get them their shots (within 2 weeks of having them!!!) out neighbor, unbeknowenst to us had a dog with parvo. They let their dog defecate in our yard..and I think you can guess what happened. After a week for both of them in the vet Sassy died and Mace survived. However, because of complications with the parvo weakening his system, he's been sickly and such until recently when he's actually started to fill out. He was three months when he contracted Parvo and he's now 11 months old. The point in explaining all of this 9on a GSD sight.lol) is that I had a GSD when I was younger and my husband agreed to get a GSD dog instead of another boxer. We picked up a puppy (from a reputable and CLEAN breede r) two weeks ago. I feed him first and until she is housetrained she sleeps in the bathroom (on a nice bed) while he is in our bedroom..I am trying to make sure he doesn't feel threatened but two days ago he has started growling at her when she comes up to me. Mace is my husbands buddy, but in our family the dogs (and kids for that matter!lol) look to me for food, bathroom breaks, treats, and training. I am asking advise on a way to smooth the way for Brandy without ruffling Mace's nerves, or haivng to cut her off or ignore her. As I said, Mace is really my husbands buddy and more like my dependent...Brandy was to be my companion, BUT i understand that to dogs they decide who is who. He's on the full road to being at his best potential as a comapnion and family member and I don't want to sabotage that by clumsy handling. For pics of mace and brandy come here!
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>>Mace and brandy

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Both of these dogs are breeds who require solid training. If you're not in training class with them, it's time--puppy class for the young one, adult class for the Boxer. Each dog needs daily time with you away from the house and away from the other dog. It's a big job to train two dogs this close together at the same time, but if you want them to live up to their potential, you have to give each of them the full attention and training they would get as an only dog. And it's important that they spend time daily apart so they stay able to be content when separated.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

I am looking into a kennel near us that offers training...There isn't much to offer in my area, except selfproclaimed trainers who have questionable training themselves. Mace already knows sit, down, stay, and belly (rollover), along with walking without pulling on his leash. He is also socialized with other dogs and people since we take him with us when we go out. He has never had a problem with other dogs or people. I DO understand the neccessity of further training, hence I am looking for kennels that I get a good vibe for, but I don't want to board him since the vet said Mace reacts to emotional upheaval with loosing weight. Brandy and Mace got along beautifully after the first two hours of discovery and Mace will play and let her be near him...It's when she comes up to me that he has issues. And I recently bought her a crate for potty training (before I designated the bathroom as her space), and when I am trainging Mace or playing with him she goes into her crate. When I play with Brandy I have my husband take him off somewhere. I understand the need for alone time. If professional training is the answer then could someone tell me where I could find a good trainer with references in my area? I live in swansboro, NC...and so far I've hit a blank wall...I've called 3 different kennels and haven't gotten an answer and then I called another one and they offered to only board train him. Brandy will go into puppy classes, but they only offer these classes for dogs with papers at this kennel, and we never registered mace since he's white.

Sorry, I forgot to say something else...lol..Mace is going to be "fixed" in a week. We're doing it, just because it's the right thing to do (we wouldn't breed a white boxer...we love him, but don't think health wise it's a good idea) The vet said his adolescent issues might be solved by this, and he'll calm down. We're still looking for professional training for him even if his i guess possessive tendecies towards me, are over. Also, Kdiamond said we need time away together from the house...don't i know it!lol...I have three kids I am home with...twin 4 yr old stepsons and my 2 yr old son. They are helping me train mace to listen to others besides me..I train using hand and voice signals and they know what they are and during training sessions they will stand next to me and will "train" with mace...that way they know what to do so mace, and eventually brandy (They'll help after I have established the signals with her), won't be confused. Anyway, off the subject...we go to my mother-in-laws house just about every other day so she can see them for 2 hours...While we're there the kids are inside with her and the dogs are with me...For one hour I will take mace (brandy in the fenced in back yard) to the animal runs. (they have several farm birs...chickens, turkeys etc..) and we are working on his socializing with other animals so he won't be inclined to chace them. He doesn't anyway, but I wanted to make sure he knew if he EVER got off the leash while one of the boys or my husband is walking him over there he won't go nuts over strange looking birds or sounds. This last week I started taking brandy for the second hour to introduce her to these distractions also. so we do get time away from the house pretty often..at least 3 times a week, at seperately if you count them being in the backyard for an hour each while I'm with the other one...is this enough, or should I try to do more?

>>Sorry, I forgot to say something else...lol..Mace is going to be "fixed" in a week. We're doing it, just because it's the right thing to do (we wouldn't breed a white boxer...we love him, but don't think health wise it's a good idea) The vet said his adolescent issues might be solved by this, and he'll calm down. We're still looking for professional training for him even if his i guess possessive tendecies towards me, are over. Also, Kdiamond said we need time away together from the house...don't i know it!lol...I have three kids I am home with...twin 4 yr old stepsons and my 2 yr old son. They are helping me train mace to listen to others besides me..I train using hand and voice signals and they know what they are and during training sessions they will stand next to me and will "train" with mace...that way they know what to do so mace, and eventually brandy (They'll help after I have established the signals with her), won't be confused. Anyway, off the subject...we go to my mother-in-laws house just about every other day so she can see them for 2 hours...While we're there the kids are inside with her and the dogs are with me...For one hour I will take mace (brandy in the fenced in back yard) to the animal runs. (they have several farm birs...chickens, turkeys etc..) and we are working on his socializing with other animals so he won't be inclined to chace them. He doesn't anyway, but I wanted to make sure he knew if he EVER got off the leash while one of the boys or my husband is walking him over there he won't go nuts over strange looking birds or sounds. This last week I started taking brandy for the second hour to introduce her to these distractions also. so we do get time away from the house pretty often..at least 3 times a week, at seperately if you count them being in the backyard for an hour each while I'm with the other one...is this enough, or should I try to do more?

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Try to do more, and to work individually with each dog in a variety of settings. I agree with not doing board and train. With the young children in the home, it really is essential to train the dogs well in formal skills. Ask your vet to recommend trainers. Also try www.akc.org, and look under dog clubs in your state. The contact people for those clubs may be able to help you find good trainers.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Thanks very much...i have a direction to go...I also got some good advise on the chat I'll definately call those trainers again...2nd times a charm...