Question:
Training a Boxer Puppy?
?
2010-07-23 05:37:25 UTC
I have a 3 or 4 month old boxer and he is a really great puppy. He is getting big and he is my bubba brown lol. I want to train him so he knows the basics. He can sit and give paw but he tends to chew on a lot. not furniture but hands and feet when playing. How can i fix this problem any suggestions also when walking he tendsd to switch sides all the time an i keep his leash tight next to me.
Ten answers:
LadyBug
2010-07-23 05:53:02 UTC
Just tell him NO in a loud stern voice every time he does it. Boxers are super smart and all they need is a week of being VERY CONSISTENT. Hold your ground and make sure you also reward them when they have good behavior!
Felicia Q
2010-07-23 05:48:13 UTC
Boxer puppies are just balls of energy and funny antics. However...ALL need to be corrected and managed so they can mature into the awesome dogs they are meant to be.



Your question signals to me you are not super experienced at handling a young dog. Do both of you a huge favor and get enrolled into a puppy class. They will show you HOW to get this little guy going. The sooner you two start to work as a team (and learn to communicate with each other) the better off you'll BOTH be. You will learn ways to get your puppy to focus on you with distractions. Also...just attending the class will wear him out a little. He needs structure, exercise, other events (playing..etc) to keep his little mind busy. Don't think you can make a puppy a back yard dog and have him turn out to be anything other then destructive.



Make sure he's UTD on his vaccinations as I'm sure that's required before going to a class.



Puppies will BE PUPPIES...and some are more "puppy-ish" then others. Boxers need a great deal of attention, direction and positive interaction. They are puppy-ish for a very long time, but that is one of the traits of the breed that I love the most.



ADDED - Legit

Amanda... I disagree with your "all they need is a week" comment. A dog needs a LIFE TIME of consistency. Very little is accomplished in ONE week. If you indeed had that happen that was a rare exception to the training rule.

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2016-05-16 06:07:34 UTC
Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMBrm



A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.
Lacey UD, RE
2010-07-23 05:52:38 UTC
Your library has many good books on dog training. They might also have some dvds and videos or can get them for you through inter-library loan. You might want to look for a good puppy class in your area. Stay away from the box store classes as they don't work for most people. As far as biting at you, that needs to be discouraged. The second that your puppy takes a nip, yip loudly ge up and walk away. In another month you can become much firmer with this by grabbing the pup's face and telling him to LEAVE IT. Again the play ends at the first nip.
Sheri
2010-07-23 16:03:07 UTC
What Felicia wrote is correct I would just like to expanded a bit



Boxers are easily trained with positive reinforcement, they can be stubborn at times but because of their eagerness to please they can learn if properly trained.



Boxers are well known if negative reinforcement is used for them to become depressed and or withdraw, so you shouldn't raise your voice or yell at the pup and never physically punish him. By doing so you could be causing yourself more problems than good with training.



I strongly suggest enrolling yourself and the pup in puppy kindergarten and obedience classes. The classes teach you how to train the pup. These classes are also wonderful for socializing pups as at the beginning of each class they usually have a play time for the pups that are attending the classes to interact with each other and the other owners.



Socialization is needed if you want to be able to take your pup with you other than keeping him stuck at home. Take the pup to pet stores that allow you to bring in your pup, take him to the park , beach, pond, outside malls, walks around your neighborhood etc. Take him to as many different places as possible so that he can see, hear and smell as many different things as possible. This is also a wonderful way for him to meet other people so that he will be excepting of strangers.



Biting and nipping ...........



Each and every time the pup nips, mouth's or bites you make a high pitched sound (pups/dogs do this when another dog has nipped them to hard, and they all know to stop) you can also say firmly, not raising your voice "no bite" you then redirect the pup to chew on some thing appropriate. Remember he is still teething, give him chew toys, tennis balls etc.. you can also take a dish towel, soak it in low sodium chicken broth, wring it out and stick it in the freezer, when it is frozen you can give it to the pup..the cold will help sooth his gums, but remember that each and every time he nips, bites or mouth's that you say firmly "no bite".



Walking at your side .........



Pick a side that you want him to always walk on. Hold the leash in that hand and have a pocket of special treats (such as low fat string cheese) that you will only use when walking him.

When walking with him at first keep giving him a small piece of cheese when he is at the side that you want him to walk on. Anytime he walks away from your side, stop walking and wait until he returns to where you want him to be, then give him a treat. After awhile he will learn that being at your side is the best place to be because that is where he gets a treat. Of course you do not have to do this forever, just until he finally learns where to walk, although having an occasional treat as a reward would be nice, This is how I train my pups to walk on my left side for the conformation ring.



Training a pup is not an over night thing and certainly is going to take longer than 1 week to train. Training takes time, patience and diligence. There is no quick fix for training properly. Boxers need to have consistency in training and 1 week is not nearly a long enough period of time. Some pups may learn faster yet the majority take weeks to months to learn what you may be trying to teach.





Tip... Boxers are not outside dogs as they are a Brachycephalic breed and do not tolerate extremes in temperatures. They can succumb to temperatures over 74 degrees, having heat strokes and dying. Make sure you do not have him outside for long period of time in hot or cold weather, he will not survive.





@ Amanda .. I find it strange that an owner of the breed would suggest that training only takes a week with a 3-4 month old pup.



Why mention AKC before your dogs call names? AKC means nothing, other than the litter had been registered by their breeder with the club and that the owner then registered the pup.



No show person would put AKC in front of any dogs name, not even here on YA.



Why put AKC CH in front of some of their call names? What are their Reg names maybe I have seen you at a show.



How many is "have had many many boxer puppies from Roxy Kayla and Allie!!... No reputable breeder would ever state that sentence as no reputable breeder has many many pups...



I looked at your profile and you are 21 years old..and you stated when posting your question that you have 14 years of boxer experience...so your experience dates back to your being 7 years old ? ok I get it now
blondie103
2010-07-23 06:29:59 UTC
All good answers but Felicas is best ,we didnt get our first dog trained,he was a boxer and we did our best but we now have a dogue de bordeaux and he has been trained and he and us are are very happy so it is best for everyone to get these dangerous dogs trained
Rain
2010-07-23 09:07:57 UTC
I would take him to a puppy kindergarten class. That way you will learn more and he will get socialization (something he'll need later).
2010-07-23 06:05:14 UTC
A puppy this young, still needs to be in a crate when no one can be home to train him.
Golden Gurl
2010-07-23 05:44:30 UTC
put frozen butter on Your hand so that he learns to lick and not bite or you can buy bitter spray at the pet store but warning although it will definitely deter your dog wash your hands off thoroughly because it tastes horrible!!!
2010-07-23 05:42:58 UTC
Breed is immaterial!

ALL dogs are trained the same way!



BITING is stopped by SCRUFFING-every single time & w/the same command.

Lead training...POP & RELEASE....every single time & w/the same command


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