4 Ways to Train a Boxer Puppy

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The Boxer is a German dog breed, created by crossing a Bullenbeisser, a little known breed, with an English Bulldog. These animals are loyal, intelligent, and easily fidget. They are also playful, curious and very energetic. These traits require some experience in their training, particularly when a puppy joins a new family.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Basic Training

Step 1. Start training now

Boxers are very energetic and intelligent dogs. They learn through repetition, so it's important to start giving them clear commands and signals early, right from an early age.

• For younger dogs (between 8 and 12 weeks), training sessions should be short and fun. For example, when you bring your puppy home for the first time, lead him to the needs spot in the garden and praise him when he does. At first it will be just a coincidence, but a dog is never too young to tell him "Go to the toilet" when you notice him crouching. Then remember to cover him with affection. This will help him connect that behavior with compliments early on and prompt him to repeat it.
• You can start with simple orders, such as "Sit". For a puppy, training can be as simple as noticing when he is about to sit and saying "Sit" at the right time before cuddling him. The dog will be perplexed at first, but will soon understand the link between speech and action.

Step 2. Focus on training with rewards

This method works by reinforcing positive behaviors and ignoring negative ones, to take advantage of what can motivate a Boxer puppy to learn: rewards in food and affection. The dog will work hard to repeat the actions that allowed him to earn food or cuddles. Ignoring negative attitudes instead encourages the animal to consider them a waste of energy, because they have not brought him any benefit. Boxers love food and attention and therefore the training method described here is the best.

• Free kicks are not part of this training technique. Never hit your dog. This is not a useful disciplinary measure. The puppy will learn nothing from punishment and will only develop fear of you, taking steps backwards in training.
• Ultimately, rewarding positive behaviors is more helpful and constructive than punishing negative ones.

Step 3. Use food rewards

The quickest way to train a Boxer is through the belly, as these dogs are motivated and inspired almost solely by food. Reward the desired behaviors with treats and you will encourage the puppy to repeat them. The rewards should be small, such as pieces of dried liver, kibble, or morsels. Many dogs will also commit to their regular food.

• You will only use food rewards in the early stages of training. After a short time you will have to replace them with praise, otherwise the dog could become overweight or even obese.
• Alternatively, you could weigh the amount of food you feed your dog each day and take out a portion to set aside for training. This way you will prevent the Boxer from gaining weight due to the prizes.

Step 4. Start with simple orders

Aim to issue a command and immediately reward the puppy's action when he completes it. This will reinforce the link between the action and the reward in the dog's mind. Start with simple orders, like "Sit", and work on those until the animal has mastered them.

• Grab a treat and allow the puppy to smell it in your hand so that it notices its presence. Then hold the food just above the dog's eye level, above his head, so he has to look up to see it. When you have the Boxer's attention, draw an arc over his head, so that following you, you naturally lower your hindquarters. As soon as he sits down, tell him "Sit" and reward him.
• Work on other orders, such as "Lying" and "Paw". Reward training is the best way to get your dog to understand and follow all kinds of commands and signals.

Step 5. Change the rewards

When your dog regularly repeats an action at your command, start not rewarding him on every occasion. If you keep giving rewards all the time, the puppy will get lazier, because he knows he can get some food with little effort. By skipping a reward, the Boxer will be forced to think more and wonder if he didn't sit fast enough or well enough. As a result, he will try harder to please you. Eventually you should get to reward the dog once every four or five orders completed, so that he is still motivated by the food and not discouraged because he no longer receives rewards.

Step 6. Expand training

Test your puppy in different situations and add distracting elements. When you have established the basic commands ("Sit" and "Stop", for example) in the tranquility of your garden, repeat the training with distractions, so that the dog understands that he has to answer you and learn to focus on you in any situation. Add some noises, another trainer or even another animal. When the Boxer gets distracted and has trouble concentrating, you will need to temporarily interrupt his flow of thoughts by talking to him, with an order or with an action (such as stepping on the ground).

• Expose your puppy to distractions during training in uncluttered environments and at home. Always remember to reward the dog with food and praise. As your Boxer is more adept at maintaining control, increase the difficulty level by taking him for a walk in your neighborhood or a nearby park and working on his skills. Get to the most chaotic areas when your puppy has learned to consistently respond to "Leave" or "Look at Me" orders.
• Gradually add distractions to the training and you will get your dog used to behaving properly in the presence of many people. This step is very important for the puppy's education, which must behave well in situations where other people and animals will be present.

Step 7. Get your puppy into an accredited obedience training program

Shelters, pet stores, and other organizations offer low-cost training programs. You may want to attend a lesson before you let your dog participate, to make sure the method used is to your liking. You may also want to consider hiring a professional trainer. These are very capable experts who know Boxers very well and can help them learn basic skills. The amount needed to hire a trainer is not small, but this choice can be very beneficial in the long run, as it will allow you to communicate more effectively with your energetic animal companion.

An important aspect of training is helping the Boxer to behave well around other dogs, so try to have him participate in a group lesson with other puppies. Many veterinary clinics organize these types of courses, which are ideal for dogs that need to socialize. All participants will be vaccinated and can only come into contact with others if they are healthy. Thanks to the course, your Boxer will gain more confidence and learn to socialize with other young dogs

Method 2 of 4: Use Specific Techniques

Step 1. Teach your dog to go to the toilet outside the house

Choose a word or phrase to use when taking your puppy out, such as "Go to the toilet." If you use those words right away, the Boxer will learn to associate them with what he has to do outdoors. When you bring the pet home for the first time, immediately accompany it to its "bathroom". He will probably smell the area and go to the toilet. At that moment, tell him your chosen phrase, then praise him or give him a food treat. This will reward his positive behavior and the dog will begin to understand how he can get the pampering he craves so much.

• When you train a puppy to go to the toilet outside the house, get him out every 20-30 minutes if possible. This will increase the likelihood that the dog will break free and receive praise. Insistence is key in this type of training.
• Observe the Boxer closely when he is at home. If he walks in circles or sniffs the floor, he is probably preparing to go to the toilet. Take him out right now. If your puppy urinates or defecates outdoors, be sure to reward him with food and praise.
• When training the Boxer to go to the toilet outside the house, keep him confined to a room so he will have fewer distractions. Also, if it gets dirty inside, you may find it easier to find its needs and clean that spot. If the dog had the freedom to go around all the rooms, he could go to the toilet without you noticing and if you didn't clean the area, the smell would attract the puppy to urinate there again.

Step 2. Train your dog with the clicker

This method involves getting the puppy to associate the click-clack sound of the clicker (pressed by you) with a reward. The most useful aspect of this tool is that it can identify the precise moment when an action occurs, thereby creating a strong link between the activity and the reward. Boxers are easy to train, because food motivates them a lot and this makes the clicker a very useful tool for them.

Learn how to clicker train your dog. The clicker is a small plastic box that you hold in the palm of your hand, with a metal tab that you can push to produce a sound. Eventually the animal will understand that clicks are always followed by food rewards and this will be a very powerful incentive for Boxer puppies. Once he learns this connection, you can use sound to identify the instant he took a desired action, such as sitting down. Over time, he will realize that by following your orders he will receive a reward

Step 3. Consider training your dog to use a cage

It would be a great idea to do this. The Boxer should think of the cage as his den, which is a place where he is safe and where he can relax and sleep. Allow the puppy to discover the "den" and enter it voluntarily. It should be large enough for the animal to turn around in it, stand up and lie down with his legs outstretched. Boxers can get quite large, so you may need to purchase a more spacious cage as your dog grows up.

• Learn how to train your puppy to use the cage. Make it comfortable by placing a comfortable bed and tidbits inside. Let the dog in to eat, without closing the door. When she is happy to enter, you can close the door for a few seconds before opening it again. If the animal remains calm, give him a lot of praise.
• You should never use the crate as a punishment or a prison and have the dog associate it only with positive experiences.

• Consider the following tips on how long your dog should spend in the cage and avoid keeping the animal inside for more than 5 hours (if not overnight):

  • Nine to ten weeks: 30 - 60 minutes
  • Eleven to fourteen weeks: 1 - 3 hours
  • Fifteen to sixteen weeks: 3 - 4 hours.
  • After seventeen weeks: 4 hours or more (but never more than six).

  Method 3 of 4: Become a Good Trainer

  

  Step 1. Research the best training methods

  Before starting to breed your Boxer puppy - or preferably, before adopting it - read up on the type of training that is most suitable for that breed. Do some research on the internet, in libraries and local authorities. You could also ask your vet for advice. Remember, the more you know, the better you can react to all situations.

  Make sure you have everything you need to train your dog effectively. For example, buy a clicker if you want to use it for training, or a cage of the right size. Also make sure you buy a collar and leash of the proper size. The latter should not exceed 150 - 180 cm in length and should be made of leather. Always check that the equipment is in good condition and cannot tear or break

  

  Step 2. Find the best times and places for training

  The most effective choice is to dedicate a couple of short sessions (10 - 15 minutes) twice a day to training. Try to schedule them when your dog is not tired, but not even when he has too much energy to vent.

  • Consider letting the Boxer release some energy before training him by giving him 20 - 30 minutes of strenuous physical activity. This will allow the dog to better focus on what he needs to learn.
  • The best time to train a dog is right before meals so that the animal is willing to put in the effort to earn food rewards.
  • Try to train your puppy in places where there are no distractions so he can focus all his attention on you. This means that you should avoid environments with other animals or people. Always start training at home or in the garden and gradually move to places with more distractions.

  

  Step 3. Be specific

  The commands must be simple, short, clear and consistent. "No", "Leave", "Stop", "Wait" and "Take" are some examples of suitable orders. Don't lecture the dog; he is not a human being, so he does not process information the way you do. Phrases like "I told you not to" or "Please stop chewing the table" will not work, because they are too complex.

  Experts believe that dogs consider the first part of a word more important, so long orders like "Fido, sit down if you want a treat" can be confusing. Just say "Sit". Choose short words and avoid long sentences

  

  Step 4. Be decisive and stay in control

  Yelling at a dog is rarely an effective technique. This is especially true of Boxers, which are an active breed by nature. Use a firm but pleasant and cheerful tone of voice when giving orders to the puppy; don't scream and don't lose your temper. Tone is very important because dogs don't process language the way humans do. They are very intuitive animals - they will notice your frustration and may react accordingly. So the way you say something will count as much as the words you say.

  Boxers are playful by nature, so a light and carefree tone won't be enough; the puppy would think you are playing if you are not decisive enough

  

  Step 5. Make hand gestures

  Try using signs in conjunction with verbal commands. For example, you might raise your hand when you say "Sit". Dog behavior experts believe that these animals observe multiple cues to understand what we want them to do, including the order used, the tone of voice and body language.

  

  Step 6. Be prompt and consistent in your reactions and commands

  Scolding a Boxer puppy for too long after an accident is not helpful. If you have to scold the dog or correct his behavior, you must do it during the act or within seconds of the end. These animals forget what happens a few seconds after the event, so it is essential to correct an action immediately to facilitate training.

  • Boxers are known for being stubborn and steadfast, so you may need to correct your puppy multiple times.
  • Boxers typically need an order to be repeated 25-40 times before they can understand it.

  

  Step 7. Be consistent

  You should always be consistent in the orders you give the dog. In this way the animal will be able to understand what you expect. Do not forget to train him even when you are not at home, so that the puppy understands that "Sit" and "Stop" are not actions that he must perform only in your garden. By receiving these orders in public places the Boxer will understand that he will have to obey you in all situations.

  • Consistency is essential to make the desired behaviors habitual and to make the dog become educated and well trained. Never leave room for indecision about which attitudes are acceptable to the puppy. If he is not allowed to climb onto the furniture, never allow him to. Boxers cannot understand the concept of "sometimes"; for them getting on the sofa will be either permissible or forbidden.
  • If you live with other people, make sure they all know the training program and use the same commands. Using different words for the same actions would confuse the dog, ruin the training already done and delay the animal's progress.

  Method 4 of 4: Learning to Understand Boxers

  

  Step 1. Remember that dogs weren't born to be trained

  Do not forget that the puppy does not know the rules of the world of men. When the Boxer misbehaves or becomes overexcited, it is not because he is a bad dog, but because he does not know how to behave otherwise. It will be your job to teach him the most appropriate attitudes to coexist and live with other animals and humans.

  

  Step 2. Learn about the Boxer breed

  This will help you understand your puppy better during training. Boxers are wonderful dogs, but they are also exuberant, full of energy and require a lot of stimulation, such as walks and games. If your dog is restless, this character trait may manifest itself in unwelcome behavior - it may lash out at you, as a cat would, to get your attention and hurt you with its 30-35 pounds of weight. Furthermore, an untrained Boxer may insist on playing when they feel like it and annoy you if you want to watch TV in peace.

  • Boxers by nature are loyal to humans, get along well with other pets in the house and often like children, playing with them in a gentle way. Develop and reward these positive traits when you train your puppy.
  • Remember that Boxers need, on average, three years to mentally mature and can remain childish until then. This can be a problem for a large breed dog if they decide to jump on you or hit you with a paw. Fortunately, good training can help the animal calm down.
  • It is important to note that while all Boxers share some general characteristics, each dog has their own unique personality, as do people. Dogs of this breed are often energetic and active, but yours may be shy or quiet.

  

  Step 3. Treat Boxers in the way that suits them

  You need to understand what they want and what they need to train them. They are extremely intelligent dogs, sometimes hiding behind their boisterous personalities. They love people and can't wait to please them; for this they are an ideal breed for reward-based training, which involves rewarding desired attitudes and ignoring negative ones.