Boxer Training Guide
After bringing your new Boxer home, you will need to get started with obedience and potty training. For housebreaking, we strongly suggest you use a crate. This should be set up in a place where it is near family but not in a high traffic area.
Additionally, you want to make sure you have a fenced yard or a leash so when you first get up in the morning, throughout the day, and into the evening, the dog can go outside to do its business.
How to Train Boxer Dog
When first getting started, keep the crate door open so the puppy can go in and out at leisure. After all, you want the crate to be a comfortable and safe place, not used for punishment. Then, during the day, you should lead your Boxer puppy back to the crate while offering a favorite toy or perhaps a small treat. The goal here is to teach your new puppy that the crate is a good place. Once the puppy goes inside, close the door and leave it shut for about five minutes. Over the course of days to weeks, you would increase this time.
Boxers are very smart animals. They are eager to please the master and very faithful. Just as with most breeds, the key to successful boxer training is using positive reinforcement opposed to punishment. When your puppy does something right or on command, praise it and provide a small treat. Boxers can sometimes be shy and are sensitive to training so it is important to be patient and loving during the process.
RELATED :: How to Train Boxer Dogs
A common challenge associated with Boxers, especially when puppies, is whining. Typically, this behavior would occur at night while inside the crate. The whining could be the dog’s way of letting you know it needs to go outside, or it might simply be loneliness. Try to ignore the cries to see if the dog stops. If not, then respond by taking it outside. Remember, when potty training your Boxer, anytime you spend outdoors early in the morning or late at night is not playtime but serious business.
If you find your Boxer puppy does not need to go potty, then try to ignore the whining until it subsides. In this case, you want to avoid yelling at the dog, banging on the crate or anything else that might startle or scare it. The problem is that your dog may go through this for weeks before it finally understands everything is okay. What you can do is go up to the crate and put your hand inside while providing a calm voice and reassurance.
Read More About Boxer
- Owning a Boxer : Breeder Recommendations
- Boxer Health Guide
- Boxer : 10 Most Common Questions
- Boxer Breed Information
