Training and Training Classes

Training starts the moment you get your puppy home.  TONE OF VOICE is everything.  Speak in a “loving” tone when your puppy is doing what you want and in a “harsh” tone when he isn’t!   It is essential that the change in tone is “split second”.  The displeasure in your voice must be poles apart from the sweet loving tone when you are praising your puppy.  BUT the reprimand must be IMMEDIATE, QUICK and SHARP [like the mother would] or the puppy doesn’t associate your scolding with his misdemeanour's.  Remember, don’t labour the point or nag and don’t make allowances for your puppy by letting it do anything you wouldn’t want it to do as an adult.  ALL puppies will: chew and mouth, pee and poop, dig holes, jump up - that’s what puppies do!  Your puppy is no different. 

Discipline: This is essential but you must show your puppy what you want him to do first, and then when he understands - praise him!  Boxers want to please their owners, but occasionally can be quite stubborn.   Dogs don’t speak English very well, so saying "no" is pretty ineffective.   If you see your puppy is about to make a mistake, a simple `uh, uh` as a warning will usually be enough, or sometimes a short growl; but if the puppy is more persistent -   a harsh growl usually works.

ANTICIPATE what he is about to do and growl [in “harsh” tone] when you think he is about to do something wrong - he’ll think you’re psychic!  Distract him with a different toy or just a small piece of food - this usually works.  Then praise him in a “loving” tone the moment he stops doing the naughty thing.  TONE of voice is much more effective than shouting or smacking and it’s the best way to achieve the `rapport` which is so necessary for a good partnership.  Develop a “positive” environment - praise him when he gets things right or is just being good, even if he isn’t doing anything!    DON’T keep nagging him for getting things wrong.  He has to be allowed to be a puppy, for goodness sake!

When your dog has learned exactly what you want him to do, each time you give him a command, mean it, and make sure he obeys first time; then when he does obey - go “mental” with the praise!!  BE CONSISTENTLY PERSISTENT

“Mouthing”: Most puppies will chew your fingers if you stick them into its mouth!  Just like babies do.  However, “Mouthing” IS NOT ALLOWED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES and can sometimes be misinterpreted as a “bite” by people unfamiliar with the breed.  If allowed to continue this innocent action could develop into biting.  Do not let it develop.   Some dogs are more prone to do this than others.  A simple “uh, uh” or harsh growl should stop it, or quickly saying “ow” and turning away and refusing to play for a few seconds, then resume playing and repeat this if the mouthing starts again, Your pup wants to play with you so he will quickly learn that biting means the end of play and he won’t do it – but you have to be consistent.  Don’t use a high-pitch scream as this tends to over-excite puppies and that can make matters worse. 

Attitude: Boxers are extremely intelligent and loving.  They love to play games as long as you don’t let them get over-excited and out of control.  Being robust they need plenty of daily exercise, and obedience training will help to channel their exuberant nature.  They should be reared with common-sense and mutual respect - firm but fair.  They must be taught that when you say a game is over – it is over - and stop.p 

Dominance: You must be the pack leader, with other members of the family down from you and the dog at the bottom.  He must know his position in the pack.  He must be fed after you have eaten and go through doors after you.  If he is in the way you must be able to step over him or ask him to move out of the way.

Direct eye contact intimidates dogs and is likely to result in a bite on the face.  He doesn’t like it, nor would you - don’t do it.  

Aggression: AGGRESSION should never be encouraged at any time.     DON’T “wind him up”    “Rough housing” and challenges of strength is not the way to control the boxer  Eventually there will come a time when he will resent it, and will want to come out `on top` - but you must always remain “pack leader”.  Be ASSERTIVE not DOMINEERING.  Your `will` must be stronger - not your `physique`.  How do you think they train whales and elephants, not with force, that’s for sure?

It is personal choice but my advice would be not to let your puppy into your bedroom or, WORSE STILL start out by sleeping on your bed or sofa.  When he’s an adult, and huge, he may resent being pushed off and react as though it’s his bed - then you could be in trouble!!     If you do permit them when they are older make sure you understand the temperament of your dog and that they won’t use it as a dominance issue. 

It is best to give them a bed of their own where ever you want them to sleep and maybe a blanket or another bed in the living room.  This give them their own space,  you may want to tell smaller members of the family that this is the dogs quiet corner and when they are in their they are not to be disturbed, but again this should not be a possessive issue.  My youngest child was only 3 when we had our dogs and he used to climb in the beds with the dogs and cuddle up with them.  This was never a problem for the dogs and they are extremely tolerant to the children. 

Food Possession: Your dog should not be possessive over food.  If this occurs, try to feed him by hand, or let him take the food from the bowl with your fingers still inside the bowl.  If this has been done since puppyhood he won’t resent it.  I have always periodically taken back the food that I have just given them, briefly and then returned it.  This shows them that you have the right to remove their food but also that you will give it back, and they do not need to protect it. 

Training classes are also great way to socialise your dog and learn how to control your dog safely – with praise and reward – not shouting and punishment and never hit your dog.  Contact the kennel club for details on training classes in your area.  The good citizen scheme is a great one to join and a great achievement. 

Being able to call you dog from danger or from a stranger could save their life, recall is one of the biggest lessons to learn and probably the most important.  Always have treats in your pocket when out of a walk and periodically throughout your walk call your dog back to you and reward them if they come.  Make your recall sound exciting not cross and very quickly your dog will learn that coming to you means nice rewards and lots of praise. 

Punishment:  When a dog does wrong it is usually your fault - not the dogs! Somewhere you have failed in your training and the dog has misunderstood what you intended.

Try to think like a dog 

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Remember Aggression creates Aggression.