Keeping boxer dogs in crates

[tallulah7777]

My boyfriend and I live in a large and spacious 3rd floor flat. We have thought carefully through the idea of getting a boxer puppy and have researched it. Alot of organisations do suggest training them to be comfortable in dog crates. We are aware that the dog really would need outside space, we would be leaving it indoors for a max of 5hrs per day, probably in the crate. After that we will play with it and walk it to it's hearts content. Is there anyone out there who has done this before who could tell me whether it is really feasible?

Many thanks in advance! x

[unrulyjulie]

Hi tallulah,
Please think long and hard about this. I have owned a Boxer and they need loads of attention and they have endless energy. 5 hours alone is along time for one of these dogs.

I dont think putting one in one of these crates is a good idea. In fact, we had friends who kept a big dog in one of these and it was horrible to see. I dont think dogs are supposed to be caged, full stop.

If you are going to leave it for 5 hours a day, i thik it has to have the run of the flat, but, be warned, they can be destructive when bored, i know for a fact lol.

Aside from this, they are fabulous dogs but hard work.
good luck if you do get one x

[888sally888]

I have to agree with Julie - I think this sounds a bit unfair for a puppy to be left that long.

You sound like a nice kind person, so could you wait till you have more time and space to give a puppy in the future?

[Ethel]

Like a toy you can put away in a cupboard when you don't want to play with it?

Absolutely shocking idea.

[unrulyjulie]

yes sally, she does and i didnt want to come across as having a go cause i wouldnt dream of it, but i do have first hand experience of these particular dogs and the energy they have. my brother has a 1 year old boxer now and his energy levels are amazing, and he's so big, he'd need more than a crate to fit him him! lol

[tallulah7777]

Ethel - I have asked for people's opinion because I care about animals therefore I resent the tone of your comment - if I wanted a toy I would buy a barbie! Thanks all the same.

[888sally888]

Same Julie - except I have a Bedlington Terrier and she needs lots of attention and walking just like a Boxer.

I think its as much work as my 2 daughters were!!

[ruthann58]

from the day we brought cassie home her bed was in a cage with the door open i work from home so she was never left for longer then the time it took me to do the shopping but when i did have to go i shut the door and also at nights that is six years ago only problem is she wont give up her cage and is sound asleep in there now. if we go to bed and forget to shut the door she barks till my husband comes down and shuts her in.didnt think six years on we would still have a cage in the kitchen but it is now fitted under the worktop if you do go with a cage dont ever shut them in as a punishment its got to be somewhere nice to go their own little space

[fredpuli47]

Well, if you want an opinion, evidently we'll have to be careful what we say, lest it offend you.

Let me have a go, diplomatically

It's a really bad idea. It's a bad idea to have a dog of this breed in a flat in the first place.Leaving a youngster in a cage for anything like 5 hours is a bad idea made worse.Don't get the pup.

Is that diplomatic enough?

[Metz]

why not try boxer rescue there are lots of older boxers wanting homes,you will be vetted though !Have you got a garden?
My 2 are rescues, one was fine the other went in a crate (he was 7 months),he didn't destroy just moved things around lol ,longest period 1 hour. the crate lasted 2 months had no need of it then,waste of money!!

[Bigeye74]

Tallulah,
whats better, a dog going to a place where it will be loved even if it has to spend time in a crate or go to a place where it is left outside and unloved?

I would try to ensure that you can be on your holidays for the first week (or as long as possible) incase there are any complications.

On the days that my dog can't come into work, she is crated, sometimes for a long time. She appears to be no worse off for it.

Some people are lucky enough to be able to have someone at home al day, my job doesn't pay enough. Remember that it is only a dog and it thrives on routine and will soon find its place in your family around your routine.

[gelda]

What do you mean "it's only a dog" a dog is part of the family and should be treated as such. And as for leaving it in a crate for hours on end while you're at work would you like it? How do you know it doesn't do her any harm, the poor thing just puts up with it. I think it's very selfish to own a dog if you can't give it a lot of quality time.

[gelda]

Tallula, don't forget a young puppy needs to be fed about 4 times a day and needs to go for a wee etc. at regular intervals so I think 5 hours is much too long to leave it.

[kita1]

What no one seems to have looked at is the fact that you live in a 3rd floor flat!

Even with an adult dog that is house trained the practicalities of taking the dog out for a last wee etc. at night would be a nightmare!

What if the dog could not cope with the stairs for some reason (eg was injured/sick etc.) could you carry him/her up and down?

What if the dog has an upset tummy and wants to go out every couple of hours in the night? It is no fun in a normal house waiting for the dog to come in from the garden when you are dressed only in a dressing gown on a freezing winter night. Imagine having to take the dog down three floors!

How is the dog going to tell you they want to go out for a wee etc.?

Oh, and by the way you may think that your flat is spacious - try and 'borrow' a person with a young adult boxer and get them to visit you! If you actually see a boxer running around in your flat you may not think it is so spacious after all!!! Forget having ornaments and polished wooden floors!

[kita1]

Forgot to also point out - what are your neighbours like? Would they appreciate a dog howling and barking for five hours at a time? Dogs are not quiet when left alone.

[Ice.Maiden]

Hi tallulah. Boxer dogs are beautiful, but PLEASE be guided by what other people are saying here. The disadvantages of you living in a third floor flat will really tell on you - and the dog. Also, crating or caging the poor animal for so long, is nothing short of cruel, no matter how many toys it has to play with. A dog's like a child. it has to be cared for, played with and they need company. I don't think anyone going out to work should have a dog - particularly if it's a puppy - and what about exercise during the day? Sorry hun, but it doesn't sound ideal to me.

[Ethel]

And if a dog needs to be crated when alone during the day - what about night time, when the owners are in bed?

Is that another 6, 7, 8 hours in a crate?

[gelda]

Very sensible answers Kita, Ice Maiden & Ethel (even Mr Beans answer) Tallula please look at this advice again and think very seriously.

[Bigeye74]

What if, what if, what if.
1. Know your own limitations.
2. Be honest with yourself.
3. Educate yourself.
And if you think you can give a dog a good life go for it.

Lots of people tried to put me off getting a Ridgeback, but after loking after one we went and got one.

Remember that noone here knows your or is a position to judge you or your potential dog handling abilities. Only you can ensure that your dog doesn't become one of the bad statisics.

Gelda, my dog is very much part of my family, however she comes (along with the tortoise) second to the human members.

[LOZZER1]

Hi

I have a boxer she is two years old, every morning i get up come wind hail or shine and i walk her for a minimum of 40 minutes. I then go to work (for 5 hrs) leaving her to the freedom of two large rooms, i ensure she as plenty of toys and she is happy with that. When i return from work she as the freedom of the garden and about 4pm each day i take her for a minimum of a 90 minute walk. She is in a routine and this works well for her, the only thing i am against is the cages. Good luck and enjoy him/her