Last Updated on 2021-06-24 by Admin
Another year has gone by, and it’s time for a post about Annie the Boxer girl at age four. I was raving about Annie when she was three years old. Now that she is four years old and soon will be five years old, I’m still crazy about Annie, my Boxer girl. We had Annie since she was eight weeks old. Over the years, she developed and matured very nicely. At four years old, a Boxer is in her prime. That makes it a pure pleasure to have here around.
Because Boxers are very energetic and intelligent and they need a lot of action to feel calm. Also, Boxers are working dogs, so they enjoy being helpful and have tasks to do. Annie is happy to carry the mail home from the mailbox. Also, after a walk, I take the leash and collar off here, and she will take it to my wife. And Annie’s tale is wiggling of joy for having something to do.
Active dogs are the type of Dog You take for a jog with You. They are also the Dog that is very happy to go on multi hour hiking trip. However, if their energy is allowed to build up, they can destroy furniture or other things at home.
So when I mention that a four-year-old Boxer is calmer, it’s good to keep in mind that the activity level is high. Annie is out for at least three hours a day. But for shorter periods at a time because of her knee injury.
At 4 Years Old, Annie Changed Some of her Behaviour
For each year of Annie’s life, I try to narrow down the most noticeable changes and write about them. Some of my previous articles by age are:
Alternating Routes for Our Walks is the Most Noticeable Change at Age Four
When Annie was three years old, I mentioned that she Changed her route and was interested in expanding her territory. That is still the case at four years old. However, at age four, she now alternates the path we take almost daily.
Annie was Very stubborn when she was a puppy. I adapted to here. And Instead of trying to force my Dog into something that she did not want to do. I give
Annie the autonomy she needs.
New Behaviour
On rising in the morning, Annie generally comes and wakes me with a notch to the side of the leg. Then she will leave and wait in the living room for me. Most mornings, Annie will want to play before we head out for our morning walk. We might play a tugging game or fetch. But of late, Annie started to hide behind me as I sit on the floor. Hiding behind me lets her take full advantage of my blindspot. She can take the toy and hide behind me. That is another behaviour change that I noticed at age four.
Every time we go for a walk, we put the knee brace on Annie to protect and support her knee. The process of putting the brace on works like a charm. I call her to come. Then I ask her to turn around. Which she then does. All I have to do is praise how smart she is and put on the brace. Of course, not without her having her head turned to see what I’m doing on her leg. Annie never ceases to amaze me.
Catching Flies While on Hind Legs
My wife had noticed that Annie also walks on her hind legs to catch flies. I could not imagine her walking on her hind legs with the knee injury she has. But one afternoon, as we were drinking coffee, my wife asked me to look at Annie. There she was on her two hind legs, walking and trying to catch flies.
Annie was never a squirrel or Cat chaser, but that changed as well at age four. Now, if we could only get her not chase after skunks, that would be great. In general, she much more aware of her surroundings. Something that I noticed for a couple of years now.
Greater Understanding of What is Expected
The most amazing observation from watching Annie age is that she understands much better what is expected of her. For example, I can show her the tube of cream that I use on her knee. And she will come and get in position for a massage and have the cream applied.
Another noticeable improvement is that she will look at me when I call her name. Long gone are the days when I have to pull on the leash to get her to go where I want to go. These days, I call her name, point to the desired direction and say that way. And most of the time, that is all that is needed. If Annie disagrees, there is a big Yank on the leash, and she pulls towards where she wants to go.
Annie also will look at me more often during our walks now, which is a rewarding experience for both of us. It feels like going for a walk with partner these days.
Greater Maturity
A good example of greater maturity would be when Annie wants to eat grass. She usually will pull to the next pole for some grass. But If I ask her to go in the direction where she found grass in the past, she will follow if it is not too far away.
Walking a dog is most of the time enjoyable. However, when there is glass in the path, then it can get very quickly dangerous for the Do. I noticed that when using the word glass and pulling her to my side, Annie has no resistance. Somehow she made the connection between the word glass and a pull on a leash. If I would have done that when she was younger, she would have yanked right back.
Dealing with Knee Pain
At a younger age, Annie would walk till the knee pain was very bad. But as she gets older, she does turn back home on her own before. The first time I experienced that, I was wondering what is wrong with her.
Trying to find out exactly how much walking Annie can take without having pain later is hard to do. So I’m glad for any help Annie can provide. But I’m glad that I know how to massage Annie’s leg and give her some acupressure point activation. These two things help for some of the pain she might have.
Conclusion
A four-year-old Boxer is a dog in its prime. It is an absolute pleasure to have a Boxer at that age. Even with her joint injury and being unable to run with other dogs, Annie is calm. Hard to believe.
While puppies are in huge demand, I would choose a two to four-year-old Boxer over a Puppy any day. There is so much more you can do with an older dog.
Boxers are loving affectionate dogs. They are the type of Dog You can cuddle. They will also seek You out because they want to be with You.
On our evening walks in the summer, we have a couple of places where we like to take a break. Both spots are somewhat elevated, and one can observe what is going on all around. That makes it a perfect place for a Boxer. Boxers are also known as silent watchers.
As the two of us sit together on these unique resting spots, Annie often will lean her body against mine and look at me. I then pet her. Both of us then sit there and enjoy the wonderful experience. There we sit and observe what is going on around us. Occasionally we glance at one another. The Love of a Boxer is Unique. Heaven.
All it takes is kindness, understanding and dedication to the Dog.