Boxer Puppy Training

Once in a while it’s okay to allow your dog to jump up. It’s best to only allow your dog to jump on you when commanded. You will see at many dog obedience trials that these dogs are allowed to jump up but only after they are told.

Having a dog welcome you home and barely containing his enthusiasm is nice. There is nothing greater than seeing that kind of love and loyality. Then the jumping begins. It becomes a huge problem when your dog likes to jump up on you or a guest coming to your home.

Here are a few ways to help eliminate the problem.

Ignore Him

When your dog does his jumping up thing, just keep right on moving and ignore him. When he jumps up and gets any kind of attention for it, then he thinks that it is allowed. It’s best to ask the dog to sit then pet him. To get him to rethink about jumping up, you need to give him your attention only when he’s sitting. Alternate the tactics a little between ignoring him and having him sit.

Creating A Command

Another way to prevent your dog from jumping, is to have a verbal command. Any command that your dog knows as get down. Use this command, when your dog is jumping up on a person or even getting on any furniture that isn’t allowed. This command will be understood as the “off-command”.

When your dog jumps up there is another training technique that you can use. When your dog jumps up give the command off and gently raise your knee to push your dog off. This way the dog associates the command with the action together. The dog might not understand the command right away, but with a little practice he’ll get it. As with all commands it will take consistency from the leader to help eliminate this bad behavior.

Reward Appropriate Behavior

Remember, to give your dogs a lot of praise and treats when he learns to not jump up. Your dog will understand that jumping up isn’t the way to get praised and gain attention. He will quickly learn that sitting is far more rewarding then jumping.

Jumping up is a simple habit to break, even if your dog has been jumping up for a long time. Ignore bad behavior, reward the good & be consistent in you training. Teaching your dog some simple obedience training will make you a proud owner and you can welcome guests to your house without fear.

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Never tell your dog to “Come” and then correct him for something he did wrong. He will think the correction is for coming to you. (Think like a dog, remember?) Always go to the dog to stop unwanted behavior (in the act, remember?)

Never hit or kick your dog or strike him with a newspaper or other object. Such abusive measures will only create fear and confusion in your dog and could provoke aggressive behavior down the road.

When praising or correcting, use your best doggie voice. Use a light and happy voice for praise, and a firm, sharp voice for warnings or corrections. A pleading, whiny No, No or “Drop that’ will not sound too convincing, nor will a deep, gruff voice make your puppy feel like he’s a good dog.

Your dog also will respond accordingly to family arguments. If theres a shouting match, he will think that he did something wrong and head for cover. So never argue in front of the kidsor the dog!

Despite the Boxers powerful appearance, he is a soft dog who will not respond to harsh training methods or corrections. Puppy kindergarten and continued lessons in obedience are the best course to combating the Boxer stubborn streak.

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Training the Boxer Puppy

A solid education in obedience and leadership is essential to teach your Boxer the rules of his new human world.

Puppy’s Home Education
You are about to begin the puppy classes. There are two rules to consider. Rule No. 1: The puppy must learn that you are now the “alpha” dog and his new pack leader. Rule No. 2: You have to teach him in a manner he will understand (sorry, barking just won’t do it). Remember, always, that he knows nothing about human standards of behavior.

Word Association
Use the same word (command) for each behavior every time you teach it, adding food rewards and verbal praise to reinforce the positive. The puppy will make the connection and will be motivated to repeat the behavior when he hears those key words. For example, when teaching your puppy to potty outside, use the same potty command (”Go potty,” “Get busy” or “Hurry up” are commonly used) each time he eliminates, adding a “Good boy!” while he’s urinating or eliminating. Your puppy will soon learn what those trips outside are for.

Timing
All dogs learn their lessons in the present tense. You have to catch them in the act (good or bad) in order to dispense rewards or discipline. You have five seconds to connect with your dog or he will not understand what he did wrong. Thus, timing and consistency are your keys to success in teaching any new behavior or correcting bad

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Although the Boxer is an affectionate and highly intelligent dog, he also has a mind of his own. He needs to learn that you are now the top dog, the alpha person in his life. The sooner he understands that, the fewer behavior problems you will encounter with your puppy and adult Boxer.

Your Boxer’s first boss was his mother, now it’s you. How best to teach him that you are now the chief in his life? All dogs are pack animals and, as such, they need a leader. Puppy kindergarten starts the day you bring your puppy home.

Now his human family has to communicate appropriate behavior in terms his little canine mind will understand. Before your puppy left his breeder, all of his life lessons came from his dam and littermates. When he played too rough or nipped too hard, his siblings cried and stopped the game. When he got pushy or obnoxious, his dam cuffed him gently with a maternal paw.

Always keep in mind that the amount and quality of time you invest with your Boxer puppy now will determine what kind of an adult he will become. Wild dog or a gentleman or lady? Well-behaved or naughty dog? It’s up to you. When you start the teaching process, keep this thought uppermost: The first 20 weeks of any canine’s life is his most valuable learning time, a period when his mind is best able to soak up every lesson, both positive and negative. Positive experiences and proper socialization during this period are critical to his future development and stability.

Canine behavioral science tells us that any behavior that is rewarded will be repeated (this is called positive reinforcement). If something good happens, like a tasty treat or hugs and kisses, the puppy will naturally want to repeat the behavior. That same research also has proven that one of the best ways to a puppy’s mind is through his stomach. Never underestimate the power of a cookie!

This leads to another very important puppy rule: Keep your pockets loaded with puppy treats at all times, so you are prepared to reinforce good behavior whenever it occurs.

That same reinforcement principle also applies to negative behavior, or what we humans (not the dog) might consider negative (like digging in the trash can, which the dog or puppy does not know is wrong). If the pup gets into the garbage, steals food or does anything else that makes him feel good, he will do it again. What better reason to keep a sharp eye on your puppy to prevent these normal canine behaviors?

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Boxer Puppy Training

Congratulations! So you have decided to add a boxer puppy to your family. if you researched your decision you will know that boxers are very loyal and intelligent dogs. as well as being very excitable. which is perhaps both a blessing and a curse.

This is clear because with these traits comes a commitment required to successfully be a Boxer owner. Being large, playful dogs training boxer puppies can be quite the task, and there is also the cost of food and energy needed to care properly for a such large dog. They are often used as service dogs within police departments or equally used as therapy dogs.

Training Your Boxer Puppy

Common Boxer puppy behavior includes playfulness, an intense curiosity and an energy level beyond that of most other breeds.

They are know to become very attached to the other members of the family, and have a definite need for you to establish household rules and structure.

If you neglect this, your boxer puppy will gladly take over as the boss of your home.

Training Your Boxer puppy properly, with quality time and bonding together, puts you on the road to prepare him for lifetime companionship. Consistent commands, structure, praise and reward are all aspects needed to have your Boxer puppy consider you as the leader of the pack.

Boxers are quite affectionate towards children and older adults. Most of them can recognize the necessity to be more patient and gentle with people who are of a more fragile nature. However, never risk the health or wellbeing of someone just because ‘most’ boxers exude this quality.

In addition to boxer puppy training basic commands like sit and stay through positive reinforcement training techniques it is important to immediately begin housetraining your boxer puppy.

One of the best ways to go about this procedure is to use a crate that provides just enough room for your Boxer puppy to turn around and lie down. Growing to become quite large, you may consider buying an extra large crate from the start instead of having to buy multiple cages during your dog’s lifetime.

The general rule is that dogs will not do their business where they sleep. There are very easy ways to modify the amount of space available to your dog. Simply by inserting a piece of strong cardboard or a very well sanded piece of wood into the crate, you can minimize the space your Boxer has access to.

When start to crate train your Boxer, there are likely to be some episodes of whining and crying. Don’t let your Boxer out of its crate or cage until the crying has subsided and your dog is quiet.

This is a key element of training Boxer puppies. You can start crate training while being in the same room with your puppy, allowing yourself to be seen. Keep practicing this until there is no whining or barking coming from the cage.

As he grows, move the cardboard or wood expanding the space he has until he does not need it anymore at all. The same applies if you choose to buy a wire cage instead of a crate. The only difference would be adding a thick or dark blanketed covering over the top of the cage to give it the feeling of being your Boxer’s ‘den’.

Then it’s time to leave the room, or at least stay out of eyesight. Again, practice this until you are able to do it without tantrums from your Boxer. In no time at all, you will be able to leave your dog in its cage while you are away from the home, and you will actually find him heading to his crate all by himself if he feels the need to rest or get away from situations he feels uncomfortable in.

As he grows, move the cardboard or wood expanding the space he has until he does not need it anymore at all. The same applies if you choose to buy a wire cage instead of a crate. The only difference would be adding a thick or dark blanketed covering over the top of the cage to give it the feeling of being your Boxer’s ‘den’.

As soon as you open the crate, be at the ready with leash, clicker and treat, ready to take your puppy outside without having to wait too long. Be prepared before opening the cage or crate so as to not give your puppy time to find a different location to do his business.

You should use a ‘mark’ or cue word from the beginning to ensure your dog knows what to do when he gets outside. This can be any key phrase or word to be used consistently along with the Clicker system, such as ‘Go potty’ or something of your own choosing.

If you find your Boxer circling or sniffing the floor, take him immediately to his ‘potty place’. If he has not started to relieve himself inside (accidents do happen), there is no reason for reprimand, and the click and treat should still apply. If, however you find your puppy has already started to relieve himself inside, pick him up, with a firm voice say “NO!” and bring him directly outside.

When he does go potty outside, promptly praise and reward him so he knows he’s done something right. He’ll want to repeat the behaviour to earn more treats. It is even recommended that you save the best treats for potty training so they work extra hard to earn them.

Although headstrong as Boxer puppies are, with love, patience and great consistence with training you will have a companion to enjoy for years to come.

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