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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How Play Is Part of Boxer Puppy Training

Your Boxer needs to be trained in everything, if your not careful creating wrong play habits can lead to an aggressive and challenging dog. You should be able to train your boxer and at the same time create more trust and respect for between you during play time.

Your main task during play time is to control any aggressive behavior and to properly channel your young boxer’s energy.  You should never try to assert your authority over your dog during play time. You should never play competitive games with your boxer, instead get your dogs attention and create the view that you are a leader that creates and instigates fun games to play. Also make sure you reward your dog for appropriate play.

The games you play when training your boxer should be constructive and give your dog plenty of chances to earn your praise. Games like fetch and hide and go seek with toys are good.  Practicing tricks is also a good way to play with your boxer, this showcases their intelligence and gives them plenty of ways to earn a treat for doing it well.

Never allow your boxer to play with clothes or hands or feet. Even when they are young this is a bad habit to get them into. Your training needs to do the exact opposite of this because of the boxers competitive nature they invite them to challenge your authority. Avoid encouraging the puppy to jump on you and avoid wrestling games and tug of war.

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Boxer Puppy Training

If you know much about training dogs, you know that the best way to train a dog to be house broken is to use crate training. This method is very effective on boxers since they are very clean animals. Just like us humans a dog will try to avoid soiling its own bed if at all possible. This is the whole theory behind crate training.

As a puppy boxers are not very good at understanding what is expected of them. Nor are they able to express their needs. On top of this, just like all puppies, they have very small bladders which means they are incapable of holding it very long. Oll of this is very important to consider when your training your boxer puppy. You have to make accommodations for them. about every two hours you will need to take your boxer puppy out to go to the bathroom.  And about 10 to 15 minutes after meals.  As with most puppies what goes in has to come out, and usually quickly.

Your boxer puppy training should be based on positive reinforcement and this is no exception. As soon as your puppy goes outside make sure you praise them and give them a treat. This will help them learn that going outside results in good things. Also its ok to play with them after you go outside. This will be another type of positive reinforcement for them. boxers are very playful and dragging them back inside after they are done will only make them hold it longer so that they can stay outside.

Place your boxer in its crate whenever you cant be there to supervise it. This will drastically cut down on any accidents. Mind that you can still only leave your boxer puppy in its crate for 3 hours at the max before it will just have to relieve itself. Just like humans, you can only hold it so long.  When you take them out of the crate remove them calmly and take them straight outside, save the praise for after the deed is done. Hope these tips can help  you with the house breaking portion of your boxer puppy training.

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