Training Boxer Puppies

Housebreaking

When you get your puppy home, take the puppy immediately to where you want him or her to toilet. Wait until the puppy squats and then praise lavishly. Then take the puppy inside. Boxer puppies usually do not have full control of their bladder and bowels until they are about ten months old. They walk in circles and sniff the floor when they need to go outside. Never rub your Boxer's face in any accidents. They will just become scared that you do unpredictable behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Boxers are eager to please but are sensitive to punishment. They are also very strong. By hitting a dog when it misbehaves, you will eventually get a biter. Ignore bad behavior and reward good behavior. Use of a clicker can help speed up the process. Keep training sessions to only a few minutes in length, because puppies have short attention spans. Good rewards for Boxers are not only treats, but toys or walks.

Sit

Teach your Boxer puppy to sit by raising his food bowl over his head and saying, "Sit." When the head follows the bowl, the butt lowers. Immediately give the food. Once the puppy has the hang of it, you can then pretend to hold the dog's bowl and say "Sit," to help reinforce the command. A good sit is the basis for all other training.

Other Tips

Getting your Boxer spayed or neutered will help make your puppy pay more attention to you and be less prone to escape. Boxers need regular exercise of at least two half-hour walks a day, plus some time for fetch. Without this regular exercise, they are too wired to pay any attention to you.

Resources

• Training Your Boxer
• Clicker Training Your Dog
• Diesel the Boxer's Web Page