Congratulations on your new puppy! GP's are wonderful companions. I have a nine month old who is 110 pounds already. His temperament is as soft as his fur, which is what you want with a large powerful dog. The two best things you can do for your pup are lots of socialization and positive reinforcement training only. You want the dog to trust you entirely. Raise the pup around your livestock from the start and she will instinctively protect them. Take her with you everywhere you possibly can, so that she will be used to a variety of situations. Reward every positive interaction with lots of treats and praise and you will have a dog who only wants to please you and who will protect you without being asked. I have rehabilitated and raised hundreds of dogs and know that these are proven methods. Enjoy your new companion.

OMgosh! Its so good to hear from you and hear what's happening with your wonderful family. The kids have sure grown, I remember when you were pregnant with Grant!! And I can't wait to hear how the kids respond to the new puppy. Bless you and the family and thanks so much for stopping by. Susan

Munkos... Thank you for your story! I have never heard of another boxer doing that. Its ALWAYS the best to here about the same breed because they do act alike in alot of ways!! I have an adult boxer and this pup. One thing I have not really done is let him play outside (because its cold, and) somebody else told me that one he goes outside to go potty ONLY let him go potty, NO PLAYING!! So, I only have let him play inside or on walks. But, yes everytime when we ask him to go outside, we always say "Do you have to go potty?" that's what we say. It doesn't seem to fase him but I know in the back of his mind it has to be. Its just crazy though, I never remember having these issues with my adult boxer. I got her when she was 5 weeks also. Maybe its my mind blocking it out!!! lol :-) No, she's my whole life! SG... Your right! Gosh you are always right!! I have never thought of it like its mine and my husbands fault but it is!! Another thing we have not done, is kept him on a leash at all times outside his kennel. Doesn't your pup get tangled and upset with the leash then? Thank you for asking your vet about my situation. I'm not that close to my vet to do that. So his age is perfect for training?? That makes me soo happy!! And last but not least... when you crate your puppy (in the beginning) like when you leave, does he/she cry?? I work right next to my house and I can hear him over there crying and howling his head off. We did put a sheet over his crate and put treats hid in there but it didn't seem to help. At nighttime he got totally better with sleeping!! I took all the suggestions I got here and used them all and they worked! We put him in the crate with not alot of attention right before, put his sheet over his crate and he knows its time for bed. If he wines in the middle of the night (and we know its just to play) we slightly tap on his crate and say "shhhhhh". Very lightly. It puts him RIGHT to sleep!! But in the middle of the day when I leave for work, how do I make him comfortable enough to stop crying?? Thanks again everyone for your imput. Please keep the stories coming!! Thanks, Elycia

She's a sweetheart! Young puppies of any size can't "hold it." Going out twice a night is what Harry did for about a year. The biggest goal in house training is to never give them an opportunity to go in the house. And remember, if they have an accident, it's the owners' fault, not the puppy's. It's hard, but it won't take long. I kept Harry's leash clipped to my belt and his collar. I set the timer; every 30 minutes, from morning to bed time, I picked him up, went outside, rushed to the far corner of the yard, set him down, and then wouldn't make eye contact or speak until he had gone potty. Then I praised him, unhooked his leash, and we ran and froliced and played back to the house. Then he was again clipped to the short leash attached to me and we went back inside. He was with me every step of the day. When I took a shower, I'd take him out before, then crate him, take a quick shower, dress, and take him back outside. After two weeks of this I decided to test him. I unhooked the leash but never took my eyes off of him. He wandered to the door and looked at me expectantly. I opened the door, he ran to his corner and did a big boy peepee! After that he didin't have to be hooked to me. He 'got it', that fast. He still spend nights in the crate, and had to go out 1-2 times a night, for several months. As soon as I'd hear him wake up, or whimper, I'd be up, scoop him up in my arms (so there couldn't be a mishap) and rushed him to the door. Too this day, he still potties in the far left corner of the yard. It sure makes the twice daily poo-patrol much easier. Good luck with your little gal. It won't take long to train her. "Constance Vigilance" now will make a quick and sure completion to her house-manners lessons. The night time outings will just have to be endured until her little body grows. Doggie doors are great if you can install one.