We first do the work in advance to pre-match you (based on your application profile and Zoom interview results) with the right candidate that matches your experience and environment. Our team knows the BRLA candidate BRLA that has been pre-matched with you and will work with you one-on-one to do proper introductions. Come prepared to take “test drive walks” with candidates. Our team will carefully introduce candidates to your children and other pets to observe interaction to ensure a responsible lifetime match. BRLA has multiple off leash play areas to fully test your candidate to help you find the next love of your life.
Boxers are clever and they are fantastic athletes. Make sure all gates, doors and fencing are in good working order. Repair and secure all before you bring your new Boxer home.
Boxers have been known to open gate latches. Secure with clip locks. Boxers can let themselves out of yards if a fence is in disrepair or has low or weak spots. You do not want your new Boxer lost or injured before they become accustom to your home. Do a thorough once over to make sure your Boxer will be safe and secure in your home & yard.
Every boxer adopted from BRLA will come with records of sterility, vaccinations, microchip registration form and a martingale collar with BRLA ID tag. Here are the basics you will need to have on hand for your newly adopted Boxer.
Only buy quality dog food from a pet food store (or Costco) never from a grocery store. With so many great pet stores offering a wide variety of top quality food, it’s really your choice, and what you new dog will eat. Sometimes in the beginning it might be trial and error so perhaps small bags to start with until your find the right one. Some good brands include Zignature, Merrick, Wellness, Royal Canine, Taste of The Wild and Kirkland brand from Costco.
We may not be able to narrow down what quality food is best for your new dog but we can certainly tell you what foods NOT TO FEED a Boxer. Do not feed any brands available in a grocery store (Purina, Pedigree, Beniful etc.) These low-grade foods are over processed, filled with fillers like corn, preservatives and toxins which are very problematic for Boxers. Also, no products at all from CHINA.
BRLA will help select the best candidate to fit your life and all in it. If your home includes other dogs, cats or kids of any age it is best to be prepared to follow integration guidelines to insure the best chance for full integration and a happy life together. It can sometimes take time and effort, but the end results are unconditional love for a lifetime. GO SLOW, TAKE TIME. Knowing what steps to follow and more important what NOT to do will help everyone. Click appropriate links for successful integration tips that apply to you. Be prepared by educating yourself on what will work.
If you have another dog at home If you have a cat at home If you have kids at home
Boxers LOVE their human family. Your new Boxer should sleep inside the house preferably in the same room as a family member, especially at first. Do not expect your Boxer to sleep in a remote room such as kitchen or laundry room which makes your new Boxer feel isolated rather than included. A crate in your bedroom is a great integration tool helping your dog feel safe, avoid accidents, and prevent anxiety.
The simple answer to this question is to integrate your Boxer by following BRLA take home instruction and taking things in baby steps. Your new Boxer has a lot to learn and get use to. Every home is different; every Boxer is different. The most important thing to remember is that BRLA is here to help you after adoption with advice and to answer questions to help your new Boxer fully integrate.
Here are links on the most common questions people have when bringing home a new Boxer.
BRLA treats health issues that are apparent when Boxers arrive or conditions that develop during their time at our facility. Owner surrenders to BRLA often come with their medical history and records. Dogs that we pull from city shelters often come without much history and we must evaluate visually from experience. BRLA will always divulge any conditions that are known and treatment protocols. We partner with quality vets for the very best for Boxer in our care.
Please be aware that there can be very common temporary condition that affect many dogs in communal living environments: kennels, boarding facilities, etc. Kennel Cough and Diarrhea/Giardia are easily spread but also easily treated. Your new Boxer may or may not have been exposed so please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these common and very treatable temporary conditions.
Make sure your resident dog is current with shots, especially bortatella before visiting BRLA.
Even with the most careful and thoughtful selection on adoption day…life can happen, things can change. If for any reason, the Boxer you adopt is not the right fit, or you can no longer care for the Boxer, BRLA takes them back. If it’s not the right fit, you can exchange for a better fit.
We are fortunate to have adopters come from all corners of California and surrounding states to work with our team to adopt the perfect Boxer for them. No matter where you live, our policy is that all parties (human and pets) must come to meet adoption candidates in person. This is the only way to observe the interaction and ensure a responsible lifetime match. If you, and all in your home are up for a trip to BRLA we welcome your application. Should the adoption not be for life, the Boxer must be returned to our facility. Out of town adoptions are fine as long as you travel to us to adopt and commit to return if need be.
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