The Boxer is a German breed created by crossing the Bullenbeisser (a lesser known breed), with the English Bulldog. The Boxer is a loyal, smart, and easily attracted breed. Boxers are also cheerful, curious, and very passionate. On the basis of these behaviors, anyone who wants to keep a Boxer in their home should know how to train a Boxer puppy.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Basic Practice
Step 1. Start training early
Boxer is powerful but also smart. He will learn through repetition, so give clear instructions early on, even when he is a child.
- Younger puppies (8 to 12 weeks old), should be trained briefly but still fun. For example, when you bring your Boxer home, place him in the litter box in the yard and praise him when he uses that location. At first, this will just be a coincidence, but you can say "pee" every time he squats down. After that, praise him. This way, your dog will learn to associate the behavior with the praise he gets, making him more likely to repeat it.
- You can also start with simple "Sit" commands. For young puppies, this exercise is easy because all you have to do is say "Sit down" and over-praise it as soon as its hind paws touch the floor. At first, he will be confused, but he will soon realize the connection between the word and the action he takes.
Step 2. Focus on reward-based exercises
This method works by rewarding the good behavior, but ignoring the bad behavior. The idea emphasized here is to use things that motivate Boxer puppies in training: rewards of food and attention/love. The Boxer will work hard to repeat the behavior that earned him food or praise. Meanwhile, the bad behavior will be ignored by you as the trainer, so the dog thinks the behavior is not profitable at all, just a waste of energy, so he will not repeat it again. Since Boxers love food and attention, this is the best way to train them.
- Punishment is not part of the technique of this exercise. Never hit your dog. Smacking a dog when it misbehaves is not a useful training method. Instead of learning from punishment, the dog will fear you, so the whole training process will bring you the results you don't want.
- In addition, rewarding positive behavior is also more useful and constructive for training purposes than punishing bad behavior.
Step 3. Use food rewards
Satisfy a Boxer puppy's tummy. Boxers are very food oriented and motivated by it. Give food as a reward for good behavior and you may get a repeat of the behavior. The gift food you use should be small, such as a Mini Zuke, Pedigree, small bones, or frozen dried liver. Many dogs will even try to get their hands on the pellets they are used to eating.
- Do treats as a reward for the behavior you want, only in the early days of practice. Snacks should be replaced with praise immediately, otherwise the dog may become overweight or even obese.
- Alternatively, you can also weigh your dog's daily food allowance and then set aside some to use as a reward. This helps prevent the Boxer from gaining weight as a result of all the training sessions you teach him.
Step 4. Start with the basic commands
Say a command and immediately give a reward when the dog does the command. In this way, the relationship between action and reward is firmly entrenched in the dog's mind. Start with a basic command like "sit" and work your way up to the dog.
- Grab a treat and allow your dog to smell it in your hand, so he knows you're holding it. Then, hold the treat above his eyes and head, so he has to look up to keep his gaze on the food. Once he's done that, move your arms in an arch over the dog's head. This way, when he follows the movement of your hand, his butt will drop naturally. As he begins to sit down, say the command "sit down" and give him the treat.
- Practice other commands or tricks like "sleep" and "greeting" (he'll stretch out his palm for you). Reward-based training is the best method for getting your dog to understand and follow all kinds of commands and directions.
Step 5. Combine ways of giving gifts
Once your dog gets used to repeating an action in response to a command, make treats less predictable. Make a few changes. Usually, a dog who gets a gift all the time will be lazy because he thinks the gift is too easy to give. By not giving the reward, the dog will think harder and wonder if he is not sitting fast enough or well enough. This way, he will do his best to please you. Try to reward every four to five commands, to keep the dog focused on trying to get the treat without giving up on trying too hard.
Step 6. Develop the practice
Experiment with Boxer puppies in a variety of situations and add barriers. Once your dog has mastered basic commands (such as "sit" and "quiet") in your quiet yard. Train him with other barriers so the dog knows he has to respond and learns to focus, no matter what might get in the way of his attention. Add other sounds or trainers, or even other animals. When your dog's attention is distracted and he's having trouble focusing, interrupt his train of thought temporarily. Do this by speaking, giving orders, or performing an action (eg stomping on the floor).
- Develop distraction techniques in a distraction-free environment and at home. Always follow up with compliments and treats. As your dog gains more control over himself, increase the difficulty of the exercise by taking a walk around the house or near the park so the dog can improve his skills too. Do this gradually until you reach the more crowded areas once the puppy has gotten used to responding to commands like "let go" or "watch."
- Gradually build on the practice by adding distractions and you and your dog will soon be able to handle the crowd. The key here is to create well-behaved dogs who are able to act properly in situations filled with people and other animals.
Step 7. Engage the puppy in an accredited obedience training program
Local dog shelters, pet stores, and other organizations offer low-cost exercise programs. Consider taking one of these classes before registering a dog to make sure you agree with the methods. You can also hire a professional dog trainer. If you live in the US, professional dog trainers belonging to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) usually have in-depth knowledge of dogs. He can help you learn standard skills for handling dogs. Even though they are more expensive, the help of a professional trainer will be worth it in the long run, as you and your dog can communicate more effectively.
An important part of training is helping the Boxer to maintain his behavior around other dogs, so try enrolling him in puppy training classes. Many vet clinics provide these classes, which are ideal for Boxers who need early socialization. All participants must have received the first vaccination and may only attend classes in good health. The advantage is that puppies learn to be confident and develop their social skills around other young dogs
Method 2 of 4: Using Specific Techniques
Step 1. Train your dog
Choose a command word or phrase to use when you take him outside, such as "pee time." If you use this phrase from the start, your puppy will learn to relate it to what he has to do outside. When you bring your puppy home, place him immediately to the location to relieve himself. He will likely sniff and pee. When he does, say a hint phrase and give him a compliment or a small snack. Since you're rewarding good behavior (defeating at a designated location), he'll begin to understand that this is an easy way to get compliments.
- When you train your dog yourself, take him outside every 20 to 30 minutes if possible. This is important to increase the chances of peeing as well as the opportunity to give compliments when he does. The key to training your own dog at home is willpower.
- Watch the Boxer puppy closely when he is in the house. If he's walking around in circles or sniffing the floor, he's probably getting ready to pee. If this happens, move him out immediately. When he defecates outside, praise and give him a snack.
- When training, keep the Boxer in one room so he doesn't get distracted easily. Also, if he accidentally pees, you can easily find the location of his pee and eliminate the smell. Dogs left to roam the house may pee in secret, and, if you can't find the location, the smell of the pee may entice the dog to litter the same location again.
Step 2. Run the clicker exercise
Clicker practice accustoms dogs to associating a "click" sound (from the device you press) with a reward. The advantage of using a clicker is that the sound can accurately mark when a positive behavior occurs, allowing the dog to develop a strong connection between the action and the reward. The boxer is easy to train because he is highly motivated by food, so clicker training is ideal for him.
Learn how to train a dog with a clicker. The clicker itself is actually a small plastic box that is held in the palm of the hand. The clicker has a metal tongue that you can press quickly to produce a sound. Eventually, the dog will learn that clicking is always accompanied by a reward, so this is a very strong incentive for Boxer puppies. Once he's successfully connected, use a click to mark the moment when the dog performs the correct action, such as sitting down. Over time, your dog will learn that sitting on command will earn him a reward
Step 3. Consider cage training
Cage training is a good idea for Boxers. In this method, the Boxer thinks of the cage as his nest, that is, a place to relax and relax and sleep. Let the puppy find the crate and enter voluntarily. The cage should be large enough for the puppy to turn over, stand, and lie down. The Boxer grows to be quite large, so you may have to buy a larger cage as he gets bigger too.
- Learn how to provide crate training for dogs. Make the crate an attractive place by placing a comfortable dog bed and spreading some treats inside. Provide a small amount of food but keep the cage door open. Once the puppy is in the crate on its own, close the door for a few seconds, then open it again. If he stays calm, give him a compliment.
- Know that cages should never be used as punishment or prison. You should only use it in a positive way.
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Follow the crate timing guidelines below, and avoid leaving your dog in the crate for more than five hours (except when he's sleeping in it at night):
- 9 to 10 weeks of age: 30-60 minutes
- 11 to 14 weeks of age: 1-3 hours
- 15 to 16 weeks of age: 3-4 hours
- More than 17 weeks: 4 hours or more (but no more than six).
Method 3 of 4: Becoming a Strong Coach
Step 1. Do some research on appropriate exercise methods
Before you start training a Boxer puppy-or, better yet, before you buy it-read the instructions for the ideal type of training for that breed. Check online, or from local organizations and libraries. You can also ask your vet for advice. Remember, the more you gain knowledge, the more you will know how to react in different situations.
Make sure you have what you need to train your dog effectively. If you plan to use the clicker training method, buy a clicker. If you plan to use the cage training method, prepare a cage of the right size. Also, make sure you buy necklaces and ropes for general practice. The rope should not be longer than 1.5-1.8 m. The best straps for training are those made of leather. Always check your equipment to make sure it is in good condition and not easily broken or damaged
Step 2. Train the dog at the right time and place
Exercise is most effective when performed in several short (10 to 15 minutes) sessions twice a day. Try to train when your dog is not tired, but also not overexerted.
- Consider depleting your Boxer's energy before a training session by allowing him to do 20 to 30 minutes of high-intensity physical activity. This way, he will be able to focus better on his practice.
- A good time to train your dog is before he eats, so the dog is trying really hard to get the treat.
- Try training your dog in an area with less distractions so he can focus his attention on you. This means that you should avoid places with lots of people or other animals. Start exercising in your home or yard and gradually move to a more crowded environment (for example, filled with other people or dogs).
Step 3. Be specific
Your commands should be simple, concise, clear, and consistent, such as "no", "release", "wait", "stop", and "catch" – all of these words are simple, powerful, and direct. Don't talk to the dog; he is not human so he cannot process language in the same way. Phrases like "I told you not to" or "Stop chewing the table!" won't work because phrases like these are too complicated.
Experts believe that a dog considers the first part of a word to be the most important, so longer commands like "If you want a snack, sit down" will only confuse him. Just say the word "sit". Choose short words and avoid long sentences to give orders
Step 4. Stay firm and lead the dog
In general, yelling at dogs is ineffective, especially for Boxers who are very active by nature. Use a loud but soothing tone of voice when giving instructions to the dog; don't scream or lose control. Dogs are very intuitive and can sense your frustration so they respond to it. The tone of voice is important, especially since dogs don't process language in the same way humans do. So how you say something is more important than what you say.
The Boxer's nature is bubbly, so a light, airy tone of voice won't suffice; he will think you are only playing with him if you are not firm enough
Step 5. Use hand gestures
Try to use hand gestures at the same time as verbal commands. For example, raise your hand while saying the word "sit." Dog behavior experts believe that dogs look for a variety of clues about what their owners want, including from words of command, tone of voice, and body language.
Step 6. Be punctual and repetitive when making responses and commands
Punishing a Boxer too long after an incident is ineffective. If you need to punish or regulate his behavior, do so within seconds of the bad behavior. Dogs will quickly forget an event, so you should immediately connect it to help facilitate the training process.
- Boxers are very stubborn and determined, so you may have to try several times to correct their bad behavior.
- Boxers usually need 25 to 40 repetitions before they can understand a command.
Step 7. Stay consistent
Make sure you are consistent when giving orders and fulfilling the dog's wishes. This way, he understands what you expect from him. Don't forget to exercise while you're outdoors, so your dog knows he's not just going to "sit" and "sit" in the yard or house. Saying orders in public places helps the Boxer to understand that he must obey you under all circumstances.
- Consistency is the key to developing a routine of good, normal behavior, so that the dog becomes trained and acts well! Leave no room for doubt about the behavior your Boxer should perform. If he is not allowed to climb on furniture, enforce the prohibition consistently. Boxers won't understand the concept of "sometimes"; he only knew whether he was allowed to get on the sofa or not.
- If you live with another person, make sure he or she also runs her exercise program using the same commands. Different words for the same action will confuse the dog, interfere with the training process, and delay development.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding the Boxer
Step 1. Remember that dogs are not born trained
Know that he does not automatically know the rules in the human world. When a Boxer puppy behaves badly or is overzealous, it's not that he's naturally mischievous, but simply that he doesn't know what is expected of him. It's your job to teach him the new behaviors that are important so he can live with humans and other animals.
Step 2. Learn about the breed
This will help you understand your Boxer puppy as you train it. Boxers are fun dogs, but they also love to joke around too much. His energy level is high, and he needs lots of stimulation, including playtime and walks. Boxers can be a bit of a hassle as they may lunge at you and act like a cat to get your attention – although they can weigh anywhere from 27.2 to 31.7 kg. Also, a poorly trained Boxer may insist on playing whenever he wants to, so you can get distracted if you want to sit back and watch TV.
- Boxers are generally loyal to humans, easy to get along with other animals in their home environment, and tend to like children (he can play gently when needed). Develop these natural traits and reward them when training your puppy.
- Remember, too, that the Boxer has a certain reputation: he may not reach mental maturity until he is three years old. He can stay just like the previous puppy, which can cause problems because of his large size – especially if he wants to jump, lunge, use his legs, and scratch your body. Fortunately, good training can help a Boxer to master himself.
- You should also be aware that while Boxers have common characteristics, every dog in this breed is different – just like humans. While Boxers generally tend to be very energetic and active, your pup may be shy and calmer.
Step 3. Treat the Boxer according to his race
You have to understand what he wants and needs so you can train him. Boxers are very smart but sometimes hide their intelligence behind their appearance. Boxers love humans and want to please them, so the Boxer is an ideal breed for a rewarded training method. Exercises like this emphasize rewarding good behavior, while ignoring bad behavior. In other words, you have to take advantage of the Boxer attitude in the training process; this is the key to its success.
