Expert: Jannie Balliett - 7/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

My boyfriend has a three and a half month old boxer. He is very playful and completely adorable. I live at my place and visit the dog everyday. I spend around 2-3 hours with him everyday. My boyfriend also spends a couple of hours with the dog every day. That means we are spending around 5 hours everyday playing with him.  

I am wondering if we are spending enough time with him. He doesn’t have any behavior issue. He is been looking sad lately. How much time should we spend with him everyday on an average?

Thank you,


ANSWER: That is not anything someone can say--- there are factors involved.

Do you both work?

If you work, then he is alone.

All you can do is allow the pup to be with you and your boyfriend when they are home. In other words, allow the pup to social and interact with the family and family dynamics.

Boxers are very family oriented and social.

They prefer to have another playmate-- preferably another Boxer approximately their own age.

They do play a lot-- as Boxers remain "puppy" throughout their lives. They are playful.

He does need to play tug-of-war, ball, fetch, wrestled with, and played with outside in a fenced yard-- that is a good place to play ball and frisbee to teach him to fetch.

If he looks sad, then he needs more playtime- active playtime- and exercise.

Never allow him to roam loose outside-- fenced yard only, or on a leash for a walk. This is a good time to leash train him, and you can do it inside your house.

I am hoping either of you do not live in an apartment- because Boxers need room and fenced yard to do their business and play for exercise.

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your promt response :-). Yes, we both work full time. He is inside when we are home. I do take him out for a walks and play fetch and tug with him everyday. We do have a fenced yard but I am scared to leave him outside unattended. I guess I will strat leaving him out when we are not at home. We are thinking to another boxer but that would take few months.

I so hope that I am doing enough for him. I feel so bad to see him sad.

Answer
Boxers don't do well left outside- they are short-nosed and get over heated more easily than other breeds- and don't tolerate cold weather as well as other breeds. They are inside dogs.

Outside should be supervised at his young age- think of him as a 2-year old child.

He can be curious about something and hurt, or even kill himself.

Please supervise him outside for playtime and pee/poop times- and treat him like a child that needs supervision while training him to be alone when older.