How to Teach Your Boxer its Name

The first step in training a new puppy or adult dog is teaching it to pay attention to you. The best way to do this is to teach it to recognize it's name. Though it's a relatively simple thing to teach your boxer, its also one of the most important because it lays the groundwork for all the other training you'll do with it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start training your boxer to know its name as soon as you adopt it. If you adopt a puppy or dog who already has a name, consider keeping that name or one that sounds similar.

2. Put your dog on a leash if possible. If not, train it in a relatively small space so it doesn't become too distracted.

3. Say your boxer's name when its not looking at you so you can reward him when he looks at you in response to his name. This helps teach it to understand that you're not just rewarding it for looking at you, but for paying attention to what's happening.

4. Teach your boxer that it's good when it makes eye contact in response to it's name by giving it praise and a treat.

5. Let it finish the treat and wait again until your dog looks away from you. Set your boxer up to succeed by only saying the name when your its distracted by treats, sounds or activity in the area.

Tips & Warnings

• If you say your dog's name and then realize its distracted, don't repeat it's name. Instead, wait until the distraction is over and say the name again.
• Most puppies and dogs make eye contact naturally when you get their attention. However, if yours doesn't, you should initiate eye contact with it after it looks at you.

Resources

• Dog Names & Dog Training