Archive for Training Tips
How To Train Your Boxer Dog
Posted by: | CommentsWhoever said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, must not have owned a boxer dog. 
Boxers are extremely intelligent and can learn many new things given the chance. When training your boxer dog, keep in mind that yelling, hitting, cursing or punishment is uncalled for, as boxers will back off the more they scolded. Besides, you wouldn’t treat a child that way and boxers are just like children but with four legs.
The first thing to learn when training your dog to do anything new is to never change your verbal expression, tone or volume. If you say, “come here, boy” then don’t try to change it to “Rocky, come here”. This will only lead to confusion with your boxer so it’s best to just avoid it.
A couple of tips to take into consideration when training your boxer dog is to give treats or reward your boxer for doing a good job, however be sure to also give a lot of praise to ensure the boxer puppy does not rely totally on the treats when being good or doing new tricks. You may also think about enrolling your dog in an obedience class. Even if training is going good at home, this will give him extra practice with interaction between other animals and people.
When training the boxer don’t cram everything into one day and expect him to learn everything. Boxers, just like all dogs, have short attention spans and will quickly become bored, so try to keep training time down to short sessions throughout the day.
Training a Boxer Puppy to Stop Biting
Posted by: | CommentsIf you obtained your boxer puppy at an early age, chances are you were a victim of his or her sharp little puppy teeth. It’s true; nearly everyone who comes in contact with boxer puppies has suffered from the fierce, yet adorable, puppy attacks. I constantly get emails asking me “Why does my boxer puppy always bite me?” or “How do I stop my boxer puppy from biting me?!” Boxer puppies are exceptionally cute but their constant biting and chewing can be a bit annoying. Lucky for you, there is a solution to this somewhat annoying behavior.
Just like with all dog training, identifying the source of the problem is the first step to a successful training of your dog from the biting little monster into a well behaved puppy. Boxer puppies have only one way to touch and feel things for themselves, and that is with their teeth. They don’t have two hands to pick up an object to figure out what it is. They can only pick it up with their mouths. Your new pants or those colorful socks look interesting to the little creatures so they latch on to them, biting you in the process.
I know what you are thinking right now but no, wearing same old boring socks everyday won’t end the biting spree. Biting is also a way that boxer pups play among themselves. So when you are bitten, it’s their way of saying “Tag you are it! Come play with me now!” To them biting is fun and playful and they do not see anything wrong with biting one another. Of course that is not how people play games with each other and since your puppy now lives with you, you have to get your boxer puppy to stop biting and play by your rules.
Stopping Your Boxer Puppy from Biting You
So
now that we’ve identified the two major reasons behind the constant biting we can put a stop to it. Since you are the pack leader it is your responsibility to teach your boxer puppy that biting you or other people is not allowed, no matter how harmless it may seem.
The easiest way to do this is to give your boxer puppy something else to bite besides your feet and hands. So next time your puppy decides to bite you, simply stop him and give him a proper chewing toy instead. If you are interested, you can read more about this topic in detail here, where I talk about how to end your puppies annoying biting habits and other behavior problems that dog owners must face.
With all the available chew toys for dogs, it’s hard to find which one would be the best for your boxer puppy. The best way to find out which your boxer will like to bite and chew on more is to buy several and see which one he or she plays with most. Rubbers toys like rubber balls or rubber bones are good to play with, and since they are made of more durable material they are much harder for your boxer puppy to destroy with his or her sharp teeth. You can also use these toys for other games, like fetch, whenever you want to play with your puppy.
There are other great toys to keep your puppies teeth off of you and have him busy for a while. For example, get the puppy a toy with a treat inside. The treat will have the boxer’s full attention and you won’t have to worry about the boxer biting your hands or feet. However, some of these toys do have a downside. Most of them make it too easy for the puppy to get the treat out and once he gotten the treat, he completely looses interest in it. You can always place a new treat inside the toy but giving your dog too many during the day is not recommended as it can seriously damage his diet. These toys are great to stop your boxer from biting you but use them in moderation.
Other great toys which are perfect for chewing and biting are rope toys. They fit perfectly in the puppy’s mouth and are usually tough so they can last a while before you need to buy a new one. However, as tempting as it might be, try to avoid playing “tug of war” with the boxer puppy. Harsh and violent games like the one mentioned above can lead to more biting. Any games that promote aggression tells the boxer puppy that it’s ok to fight and bite. If you don’t want your puppy biting you, play more peaceful games, like fetch.
You should also avoid toys that look like shoes or other household items which the boxer is not allowed to chew or bite on. If you want the boxer puppy to stop chewing on your shoes, don’t buy him a rubber toy which looks like one, because he will not be able to tell the different between the one that is okay to chew on and the one that is not.
So if you’re sick of your boxer nipping and biting you constantly, it’s probably time for you to do something about it. Show the boxer dog that it’s not okay to bite you. Give him a good toy to bite on instead. If you are having problems with your boxer biting you, you can go read my boxer dog training book in which I cover this topic in greater detail.
Boxers and Cats Getting Along
Posted by: | CommentsUsually when you think of a dog and a cat an immediate sense of rivalry comes to mind. However, is it necessarily true? Do all dogs have an instant urge to chase down a cat when they see one? Generally speaking, the answer would be yes even for the sweet and loving boxer. Most dogs do enjoy to chase cats around.
When comparing boxers and cats with each other, you will immediately see a huge difference in size. Boxers are a lot larger than cats which can be intimidating for them. Wouldn’t you be afraid of someone with sharp teeth who is larger than you running towards you? So you shouldn’t be surprised if you see a cat running away from your boxer when you take him out for a walk. Chances are the cat isn’t running just from boxer dog but from you as well.
So it’s understandable why cats would run off when they see a boxer dog nearby, but why do dogs chase after them? Well simply put, it’s because the cat is running away and dogs were bred to chase things down. Dogs will chase pretty much anything that is running away from them, and boxer dogs are no different. If a boxer sees a squirrel running away from him he will try to chase it down just as he would try to get the cat. If you own a boxer yourself then you must have already realized that while playing with your boxer, if you start running your boxer will begin to chase you without you calling for him. So it’s not that boxers dislike cats it’s just that they were originally bred as hunting dogs, just as many dog breeds out there, and are instinctively inclined to chase down other animals that are running away.
Can Boxers and Cats Ever Get Along?
If you own a boxer already and plan on getting a cute kitten then things might be a bit tough at first. Unfortunately you can’t really predict how your boxer will react to the new household pet. Your boxer and the cat might hit it off good from the start or they might not like each other at all. The way the boxer dog was raised will have a lot to do with the boxers reaction.
If your boxer dog is still a puppy and the cat is still a kitten then chances of them becoming playmates are really high even without your help. The boxer will just accept the kitten as part of the pack and will get along with the kitten just fine. If your boxer is a puppy and your cat is a full grown adult cat then you might be a little carefully because the cat may get a bit defensive when the boxer puppy runs at him with full speed trying to play.
If your boxer is a full grown adult and you’re not sure how it will react to a new addition to the family then you must slowly introduce them to each other. Have a friend or a family member hold your boxer dog in place while you bring the cat into the room and watch their reactions.
Even if you know for a fact that your boxer dog will not attack the cat it’s still advised that you keep him on a leash because chances are your boxer will dash towards the cat scaring him. A cat that feels threatened will get his trusty claws out and defend itself so be careful.
How to Train a Boxer to Roll Over
Posted by: | CommentsTo make boxer training easier and simpler, it is best that you teach your boxer puppy to lay down on command first. If you don’t know how to train a boxer to lie down then check out an early post by clicking How to Train a Boxer to Lay Down. Once you got that part of boxer training out of the way, it’s time to proceed with training a boxer to roll over.
Just like with any other dog training trick or command, it is a good idea to have some sort of a reward to give to your boxer for doing a good job. You can use treats as a reward with boxer training or a clicker, if the boxer is trained for it. When I train my dogs I use Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats. Because of the small size, they are perfect for boxer puppy training.
So now we have the basics down and have the perfect reward for your boxer, let’s get him to roll over. Begin the boxer training by telling the boxer to lie down. Once your dog is on the ground gently push him onto his side. When the boxer is lying down on his side, say begin to rolling him over to the other side and say roll over so the boxer can associate the command with rolling over. When you get your dog halfway, he will most likely finish the roll on his own. At that point it’s safe to let the boxer to finish the roll on his own.
When your dog completes the movement, praise him and give him the reward that the boxer deserves. This will tell the boxer that the dog has done something right, but the boxer most likely won’t figure which part of the training he did correctly in order to get that treat. Keep training your boxer this way couple more times.
After a couple times, continue boxer training like previously but this time try to get your dog to roll over on his own. Be patient with your boxer because he might still not realize what exactly you want from him. If he just gives you a blank stare when you tell him to roll over, help him roll over again but instead of getting him half way only get him 1/4 of the way. Keep training the boxer this way until he completes a full roll over.
When the boxer learns that rolling over on command gets him all the treats from training then he will do it whenever you ask. So be consistent with your boxer training. To learn how to train a boxer other tricks, click on “Tricks to Teach Your Boxer Puppy” on top.
Boxer Training: Teaching Your Boxer Puppy to Speak
Posted by: | CommentsTeaching Your Boxer Puppy to Speak
Teaching this trick might be a little bit tricky, but shouldn’t be too difficult because barking comes naturally to dogs. All you will need to train your boxer puppy to speak is some treats.
Just like with most other boxer puppy training tricks, you cannot expect your dog to perform the command just because you told it too. You have to show your boxer puppy what you expect from him first. Since you can’t show your boxer puppy how to bark, because you’re not a dog yourself, you will have to catch him in the right moment. Most dogs will bark when they see food, so use that to your advantage.
Get a treat and hold it out of your boxer puppies reach. Tease him with the treat a little and say “Speak.” Usually dogs would bark because they want that treat and can’t get it. If your boxer puppy doesn’t bark right away, keep teasing him with the treat. When your dog barks, or “speaks”, give your boxer puppy the treat and keep training your boxer puppy this another two to three times.
Now do the same thing except don’t give your dog the permission to speak. If your boxer puppy starts barking anyways, just ignore him and don’t give him the treat. Wait until he is calm and stops barking, and then tell him to speak and when he barks, give him the treat. You have to make sure your boxer puppy only barks when told to and not whenever the boxer puppy wants.
Keep trying your boxer to speak this way but this time take away the food. Keep practicing this for 10-15 minutes at a time one to two more times a day. Your boxer puppy will learn quickly that “speak” means it’s the only time it should bark.
Will This Encourage Barking Dogs to Bark More?
Some dog owners do not train their boxer puppies to speak on command because they are afraid their dog will start barking all the time
around the house. Others might already have a barking dog on their hands and don’t want to encourage dog barking even more so they just skip this trick during their training.
Teaching your boxer puppy to speak on command will surely tell the boxer puppy that it is ok to bark, but only when you say it is. Boxers, that bark constantly, often times stop their barking after their training because they learn that it’s only rewarding when you ask them.
If you have a boxer that just can’t stop barking and annoys the neighbors constantly then you should talk to your vet about it. Often times dogs bark because of boredom or because they are defending their own territory. If they are barking at your neighbors, it is a good idea to take your dog and meet the neighbors. This will tell your boxer puppy that they are friends and are not trying to take over your property.
If your boxer is barking while no one is at home or because of the boredom, give him something to do. You can get toys for him to play with or a bone to chew on. A busy boxer will have no reason to bark, so make sure he always has something to do.
Boxer Training: Teaching Your Boxer to Come to You
Posted by: | CommentsTeaching your boxer puppy to “come here” is one of the most important tricks you can ever teach your dog. It can help you avoid dangerous situations and encounters with not so friendly dogs.
What to Avoid When Training Your Boxer Puppy to Come to You
The command “come here” can also be one of the more challenging things an average dog owner can try to teach his boxer puppy. This is mostly because they don’t know how to train their boxer puppies’ right. They expect their dogs 
to expect their boxers to run to them on command and if the dog doesn’t come right away, the dog owners punish their boxers. This tells the boxer that if he comes, then the boxer will be punished so the dogs just stay away.
Another thing that boxer owners often times do is call their boxer while he or she is playing and usually that means the fun is over. So the boxer might try to ignore you to let the fun last longer and if the boxer puppy knows that the owner will just punish him if he doesn’t “come here” right away, then they see no point in coming. The boxer puppy would rather just ignore the owner and have some fun than run to the owner, end the fun and get punished for it.
How to Teach Your Boxer to Come to You
So how do you teach your boxer puppy to come to you the right way? Well just like with other tricks, its good to start when your boxer is a little bit hungry and really wants that treat. Since boxer puppies can get a little stubborn at times, they will need a little more of encouragement than other dogs. When you are sure that your boxer will be willing to come to you for that treat, then begin your boxer puppy training.
It would be easier to teach your boxer to come to you if your boxer puppy already knows how to sit. You can learn how to teach your boxer puppy to sit here. Tell your boxer to sit down and then move a couple feet back. Now call your boxer puppy to come to you and tell him to sit. If your boxer puppy will just sit there staring at you, show your boxer puppy a treat and tell him to “come here” again. When your boxer comes to you, give him the treat and tell your boxer puppy what a good boy he is.
Now step back again and repeat the process. After your dog starts coming to you every time, try to give him the treat only every other time. Then slowly start giving your boxer puppy the treat less and less times. Eventually you will eliminate the need for treats while you train your boxer puppy to come to you.
Keep practicing this daily even if your boxer has mastered the command “come here”.
It is also a good idea to call your boxer puppy while he is having fun to give him a treat and then let him continue with the fun. This will help prevent your boxer of thinking that coming to you means the fun is over.
Cute Little Boxer Puppies
Posted by: | CommentsHere is cute little video of boxer puppies learning how to bark.
Teaching Your Boxer How To Fetch The Ball
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the best ways to keep your boxer puppy healthy is to play fetch. Playing fetch involves the owner throwing a ball or a stick and his dog retrieving it. It’s a fun game for both, the owner and the dog.
Before you can do that, you will have to teach your boxer how to fetch the ball for you. Since boxers are smart, teaching them new tricks will not be too big of a problem. All that you will need is some treats and the item you will want your boxer puppy to go fetch. The item can be a ball or a toy or even a stick, as long as the dog can fit it in its mouth and carry it to you. You can also use a clicker as an addition or a replacement of the reward. You can learn more about clickers by reading my The Importance of the Clicker article
So now that you have everything ready, go get your boxer to begin your boxer puppy training. Go outside in your backyard preferably or at the park when there are not too many people around to eliminate all of the distractions. Boxers are curious dogs and get distracted easily by new people and new things.
Get your boxer to sit next to you and show the ball to him. Shake it a little bit to make sure it caught your boxer’s attention and then chuck it about 5 feet away from you and tell your boxer puppy to fetch it. You don’t want to throw it too far because your dog might lose interest in it.
If your boxer just sits there giving you a blank look then you will have to try again. This time make sure the ball or they toy gets your boxers complete attention. You can even start playing with it and get your boxer all excited about it and then throw it telling your boxer to fetch. Keep doing this until your boxer at least runs to the item and touches it.
Once your boxer touches the toy you give him a treat and praise him for getting a toy. This way your boxer will know that it’s rewarding to go after the toy. Don’t keep giving your dog treats all the time just for touching the toy. Remember the goal is for them to actually bring the toy to you when you say fetch. Give your dog treats just for going to the toy a few more times and if your boxer puppy still didn’t actually bring back the toy to you, then stop and ask where to toy is pointing at it. If your dog keeps coming back to you without the item send him again saying fetch and pointing to the toy until he or she gets the item.
When your dog starts finally starts getting you the toy, start throwing it farther each time. After a while you may want to ease off on the treats and try getting your boxer to fetch the toy without the treats completely.
A problem that you might run into while training your boxer puppy to fetch is when the boxer brings the toy but won’t give it to you. This is one of the ways your boxer puppy is trying to play with you. To help prevent this, just wait until he brings it to u and give him a treat. Don’t chase him after the toy because then it means you’re playing with it.
After some proper boxer training, your dog should be able to fetch the ball with no problems at all.
Boxer Training Tips: Teaching your Boxer to Lie Down
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Before you learn how to train a boxer puppy lie down it is a good that you know how to train a boxer puppy to sit. Sit is one of the most basic commands that comes in useful throughout boxer training. If you are not sure of how to train a boxer puppy to sit then check out an earlier post called “Boxer training: How to Train a Boxer Puppy to Sit”. You will use the sit command often during the time you train the boxer to lie down so it’s a good idea you teach your dog how to sit on command first.
Positive reinforcement is what will encourage and give the boxer a will to perform your
tricks. You can use all sorts of treats for this. I personally use Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats. They are all natural and organic small treats which I have found perfect for boxer puppy training. Since they are small in size, it will take several of them to satisfy my boxer and gives me more time to train him.
Teaching your boxer how to lie down on command might be a little difficult at first but once your boxer puppy gets it, he will have no problem performing the trick on command. First get your boxer puppy to sit down in front of you. When your boxer sits order him to lie down and teach him how by gently pulling his front paws towards you so your boxer leans forward and eventually lies down. When your boxer is lying down, praise him and give him that reward. Positive reinforcements speed up the process of training your boxer how to lie down.
Once your boxer is lying down, order the boxer to sit again in the original position that you started with before. Now order him to lie down again and wait a little bit for the boxer to perform the action on his own. If the boxer just sits there tilting his head looking at you strangely, show him how to lie down once again by pulling his front paws toward you. Keep doing this until the boxer puppy gets it and performs the action on his own.
When you begin training the boxer to lie down, he will probably quickly lie down and get right up. That’s alright in the beginning because you need to get the basic part of the training down and that’s lying down on the floor on command for you. After the boxer learns how to lie down on his own whenever you tell him to, you can start teaching him to stay on the floor until you say otherwise by not giving him the treat if he gets right up and ordering the boxer to lie down again.
After you have done training the boxer to lie down on command, you can move on to a more challenging trick like roll over. Boxers are intelligent dogs and therefore are quick learners. Once you are able to establish communication with the boxer, there is no limit to the things that you can teach your boxer.
Boxer Training Tips: How to Teach a Boxer Puppy To Sit
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When you first get your boxer puppy and begin your boxer training, you will most likely start off with teaching your boxer to sit down. It’s one of the simplest commands to train your boxer puppy to perform. All it requires is a treat and some time.
You start your boxer training by getting a treat and then getting your boxers attention. Hold the treat in your hand and hold it above your boxers head. Don’t hold it too high or your boxer puppy will jump up for it. Now keep repeating “sit” and move your hand back towards your boxer puppies back. This will get your boxer puppy to sit down.
Once your puppies butt hits the floor, praise him for the good work that he’s done. Keep doing this for about 20 minutes. Sometimes your dog will sit without you asking just to get a treat. When your boxer puppy starts doing that, stop the training and ignore your boxer puppy until he is busy with something else. Once he has forgotten all about the training and has something else on his puppy mind, get a treat and repeat the process.
When your boxer puppy has learned how to sit with a treat, try to do the same thing without one. If he just sits there with a blank face, keep up the boxer puppy training with the treat. Then when you think your boxer puppy understands the command, try to do it without a treat again.
Training your boxer puppy to sit is one of the easier commands and shouldn’t take you too long. Just remember to praise your puppy for obeying you every time he does.
