How to convince the hubby

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

You and me both and I think he will since the female is around 5yo (his wife has had her since she was a puppy) and his wife dosnt feel she should have any more babies at her age and I agree 100% this litter shouldnt have happened but what is done is done. I look at it like I would adopting a dog who was mixed breed oops puppy only she happens to be pure bred.

I wouldnt think of paying a byb for a puppy that would just encourage the problem. But I think it is fair to help pay for care up until she is old enough to come to me. It really isnt much.

Mama and puppies are all living in their house right now with the wife and daughter so they are being socialized that way so they arnt in the back yard just being fed in case you where wondering

[BoxerWB]

Spending "big bucks" is not a requirement for acquiring a dog here, otherwise none of our rescuers wouldn't be welcomed. I'm glad to hear you're aware of the situation. Honestly, I think if it's their mistake they should eat the cost, not you, but that's just me.ou

My point about money isn't about a flashy purchase price - it's about being able to spend money for important veterinary care when the need arises. If your dog breaks its leg, will your husband let you get medical care for it? When you spay her, what if there is a complication and it costs a lot more? I just worry because there are a LOT of "IFs" in getting a dog, and if dog food costs are a stretch for your budge, I don't see how veterinary costs would be managed.

BTW, once you've been around here a while, you may see the "reason" for spending hundreds on a dog. The expenses that our breeders incur trying to breed for the healthiest, most correct litters possible is higher per-pup than the price they pass down to the puppy buyers in most cases.

[BoxerPerson]

I feel you have been duped...that story has been told so many times to people!  IF he truly did not want puppies he would have fixed one or both of his pups...When you have intact pets, and of the opposite sex to boot...you are setting yourself up to having an "accident" and there is no excuses for that IMO.

And quite frankly, I have seen BYB pups and puppy mill pups that sell for MUCH more than any responsibly bred pup!  Sometimes it is worth the owners time to do a little research before impulsively purchasing that cute little pup!  I only wish the people that originally purchased my dogs had done that...oh wait maybe not...then I wouldn't have them   Seriously tho, I hope all is well with your pup once you get her.  And as far as feeding her $40 a month is not alot...but I bet you will find that your $40 last more than a month too!

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Most people around here do not fix their animals because of the cost. That is just how country folk are where I am. I actually think he did darn good to keep her from having pups for so many years. Most people wont even take a female because of the cost. And see no reason to have a male fixed because they dont have to deal with puppies. For example out of 10 dogs I know only 1 of them is fixed. Out of those 10 3 females have had puppies and out of those 2 where planned  

Up until now the female hasnt had puppies and she is 5-6yo so if he had planned to make money off the puppies he surely would have before now. I know that many puppy mill puppies cost more than a true breeder will charge but that isnt the case here. I am getting Isis for $50 and he sold the others for $100 that isnt even close to how much I have seen Boxers sale for.

I am OK with the price of the food now that I have had time to think about it and you all have been so kind in breaking it down for me I have always been frugal about my spending it was the way I was raised and when you compare prices of food that I have seen all my life ie that at wal mart it was a shock.

[whitepupzoe]

My husband was actually really easy to convince...and he is as cheap as they come!    I think the "proof is in the pudding" as they say, our dogs have gorgeous coats, nice teeth...not too much gas  .  He is now an advocate for dog food and will tell anyone that listens about the difference. 

[boxer pal]

You have a 'teaching opportunity' here!  I live in an rural area very similiar to yours.  Few people spay or neuter and puppy mills and byb are EVERYWHERE!  I'm on our shelter board and see the numbers of animals that come through our facility and hear from our public saftey representative how many individuals they have busted for dog fighting every month.  It can be depressing, but . . . we ARE seeing improvements!  Each year, we offer a half price spay/neuter program from Jan. 15 to March 15 where ANYONE can go to our local vets and ask for their pet to be altered for half price.  Our shelter board pays the rest.  This year's numbers are WAY up I'm happy to report.  How does this pertain to you?  Become an advocate for spay neuters and inlist your friend too!  Even a couple of people can make a difference!  We are raising awareness one dog/cat at a time.  You might have a program like this near you.  Check with your local shelters and/or vets and ask around!  Now that you know, be a part of the change and not a part of the problem.  And do know, we are glad you have come to our forum to learn, just like many of us did when our first boxer baby landed in our laps!

[Bugsys Mom]

I spend alot on dog food too and Todd wasn't hard to convince either.  I am cheaper than him, but my sweet little BYB Bugsy cost me about 2 grand before he was a year old.  I wasn't gonna skimp on something like food.

I know all about hte sticker shock, trust me.  But, in the long run it's worth it.  Are you planning on having her spayed? 

[BoxerPerson]

Check with your local shelter...they do have low cost spaying and neutering (here it is 50.00) But you need to make sure they do not use ACE as part of their anesthetic...NO ACE!

Fixing a dog (if you have opposite sexes and don't want pups), regardless of where you live, is part of being a responsible pet owner.

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

I spend alot on dog food too and Todd wasn't hard to convince either.  I am cheaper than him, but my sweet little BYB Bugsy cost me about 2 grand before he was a year old.  I wasn't gonna skimp on something like food.

I know all about hte sticker shock, trust me.  But, in the long run it's worth it.  Are you planning on having her spayed? 

Most definatly there will be no accidents from my little girl   I plan to wait until she is over a year old and closer to full growth since that seems to be the best way to go from what I have read. I actually have a post here about best age to spay

It costs about $150 to get a dog the size of a boxer spayed here. I already have my spay fund started now so that I wont have to come up with it all at once. I am all about planning ahead

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

You have a 'teaching opportunity' here!  I live in an rural area very similiar to yours.  Few people spay or neuter and puppy mills and byb are EVERYWHERE!  I'm on our shelter board and see the numbers of animals that come through our facility and hear from our public saftey representative how many individuals they have busted for dog fighting every month.  It can be depressing, but . . . we ARE seeing improvements!  Each year, we offer a half price spay/neuter program from Jan. 15 to March 15 where ANYONE can go to our local vets and ask for their pet to be altered for half price.  Our shelter board pays the rest.  This year's numbers are WAY up I'm happy to report.  How does this pertain to you?  Become an advocate for spay neuters and inlist your friend too!  Even a couple of people can make a difference!  We are raising awareness one dog/cat at a time.  You might have a program like this near you.  Check with your local shelters and/or vets and ask around!  Now that you know, be a part of the change and not a part of the problem.  And do know, we are glad you have come to our forum to learn, just like many of us did when our first boxer baby landed in our laps!

There is a program here that helps pay for spay/neuter for people who are low income but nothing to help those that are avg income. I talked to the guy again today and they are definatly having her fixed after the puppies are gone. So I am thrilled about that. He should have had it done before now obviously but thankfully there wont be any more puppies from his girl.

(Sorry about the double post I need to figure the multi quote thing out)

[Theresa]

Oh yeah...the whole "less gas" thing was a BIG sell for my hubby. He noticed that Beas coat was so much softer after we switched him to the good stuff

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

I have decided to go with Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul to start out and see how she does then I go from there. Thank you all for your help and for putting up with me I have said it before but I feel it bears repeating you all have been so friendly and I love it here

[steph0808]

I have decided to go with Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul to start out and see how she does then I go from there. Thank you all for your help and for putting up with me I have said it before but I feel it bears repeating you all have been so friendly and I love it here

Ours really liked Chicken Soup and did well on it.  It was also a good price - about $35 for 35 pounds around here.

[boxer pal]

I used to feed Chicken Soup too but it's hard to find around here now.  Go figure!

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

It is 1 of the 5 I can get here and is the cheapest at $36.98 = 35pd bag.

Someone mentioned Life's Abundance to me but it isnt on the list anyone know anything about it?