Training Center

Boxer Training, because no other dog is like a Boxer

• Training a boxer starts with playing, and ends with playing, the training happens in the middle.  So you want to teach your boxer to come in??  Starting off as a puppy, playfully say, "want to go outside?" - say it like you would to a 2 year old child.  Say it several more times in a happy smiling voice, she/he will get excited and start running around.  Reinforce this positive behavior because the puppy is moving and if you are walking toward the door than in the right direction.  So the puppy a treat right before you open the door.  Please keep the boxer on a leash if you live in a neighborhood of any population, unless you can predict what will run, roll, fly by.  Boxers might chase everything, including leaves.  Now you have the puppies attention, she might sit for you, reinforce it with praise.  Provide only a small piece of the treat.  Go outside, and tell your boxer what you want.  They may not know at first but when the boxer starts to move in the direction you desire, for instance, I tell Tessa "Go potty" - she may not at first, but when she gets into it, we do further praise and gets a majority of the treat, saving just a bit.  We play and when it is time to come back in, I call her, even though she is right beside me.  I open the door she walks in and I praise her like she had decided to come on her own.  I give her the rest of the treat.  After about a month of doing this type of training.  I can slowly work her off the leash (keep in mind - she has an underground fence, just in case).  We continue and by the end of the first 6 months she is actually letting herself out, going potty and all it costs me is treat.  Yep Boxers cannot go out very long if you live up north.  Image walking outside without the warmth of clothes.  That is what a boxer feels like so keep that in mind when planning on going outside with your boxer.    

Potty training Basics

Patience is the first and most important thing to remember when starting down this road.  Potty training on command is probably the easiest way to train your new puppy and can be fun for both of you.  When you first get your puppy home.  Take them out frequently on a leash, probably anywhere from 2 - 4 hours take out your new puppy.  Have treats in your pocket.  Tell them, "Go potty" repeat the message until you catch them going potty.  When they go potty, say "Good Go potty!" let them finish up, and reward them with a treat and bounce around excited so they can see how happy you are. Repeat this process for the next month or until you see signs that the nose hits the ground the moment you say, "Go potty".  Your puppy will quickly learn that she/he needs to go outside.  For those indoor accidents, I do point it out the puppy and tell the puppy, "No, bad" in a negative tone.  I than put the puppy on the leash and take them out and encourage them to potty, and provide a very positive situation outside, I don't end the situation negatively. 

What do I need for new puppy

Puppies need some toys, chew toys, leash, collar, wired kennel for a large, or extra large size dog, small bowl for water and another bowl for food.  Interact with your new puppies and the toys so the puppy knows what it their toys.  Provide chew toys to give them something to chew on because they will have a strong desire to chew.  You should use the toys to socialize with the puppy and teach the puppy which toys are his/hers verses what is your toys (namely your shoes and other possessions)