Raising & Caring For Boxer Puppies

Bringing Your Boxer Puppy Home

When you first bring your boxer puppy home (should be at 7-8 weeks old) make sure you or someone else is home as much as possible. It’s scary for a new pup getting used to a new home and having company around will make it much easier. In addition to this there are some other preparations you can make. You should have:

-Water and food bowls

-A crate

-Some chew toys

-A collar and lead

-Flea and tick treatments

-Worming tablets

-Plenty of cleaning products and rags.

Nutrition

It’s generally a good idea to continue to feed your puppy whatever the breeder was feeding them. This will help prevent any problems with an upset stomach. Eventually you can wean them on to other food, but make you do it slowly. Also a puppyshould be fed twice daily and have plenty of water available.

Pet Health Insurance

Over a lifetime the health care costs for boxer puppies can be very expensive. You may want consider getting some kind of pet insurance early on to offset the costs.

Temperature

Boxer’s are most comfortable with temperatures around seventy degrees. They can’t handle extreme hot or cold temperatures.

In winter many boxer owners counteract this by getting clothing for their dog. Others like using a small space heater that your boxer can curl up next to.

Boxer Puppy Training

Typically you want to start training your boxer puppy at 7-12 weeks of age. They are like little sponges at this age and can learn new things very quickly. What they learn is also permanent so be consistent and avoid bad habits. So lets go over some of the important aspects of puppy training.

Crate Training

A dog crate is a great training device and a important tool to keep your puppy safe. If done right the crate becomes a safe haven for your boxer, somewhere they feel very comfortable. Doing it wrong and keeping them locked up all the time can be very cruel.

Initially you just want to get them used to the crate. Get themto go in with a toy or treat as bait. Then praise them profusely when they do. Play with them and give lots of attention while their in the crate.

Eventually they will start to go to the crate on their own. This is when you start closing the door for short periods of time. Then slowly work your way up to longer periods of time. If they they cry or whine to get out ignore it, as this will only reinforce that behavior.

House-training

Your puppy has a very small bladder and at this age they don’t really know how to control it. The best course of action is to take them outside as often as possible, every 1-2 hours if you can. When they do go to bathroom outside praise them or give them a treat.

Repeat the same phrase every time you take them out, like “time to go” or “let’s go outside”. This repetition and positive reinforcement will eventually catch on with them. Avoid scolding or yelling if they go inside the house. This likely will just result in a scared and confused puppy.

To avoid damage to your home you may want to create a “safe area” for them to play. Lay down lots of newspaper and put their crate nearby.

Socialization

Socialization is the process of introducing your puppy to new people, animals, places, and experiences. This is vital to making your puppy a well adjusted and well behaved dog.

Start out small with this. Take them on walks around area you live in. Introduce them to friends and relatives of yours. Eventually take them to more exotic locations (from your boxer puppies perspective). Try places like a farm, a forest area, or a crowded public place.

Do not try to comfort or pet them if they get scared. This will only reinforce that being scared is a good thing. Just be calm and relaxed. If they calm down after being scared, then you can praise them.

At 10-16 weeks you should try to get them into a puppy kindergarten class. This will allow them to socialize and play with other puppies in a controlled environment. In addition some basic training commands and the opportunity to meet new people can be very helpful.

Beyond this is more complicated training like commands and correcting bad behaviors. You may want consider one of the excellent courses on dog training to educate yourself.

For more tips and resources for dog lovers, visit DogLoversPup.com

Boxer Dog Training Tips

Boxer dog training can be the perfect way to form a strong bond with your new pet. These dogs are loving and very loyal to their owners. They make perfect family pets, and will be protective when the time warrants, and welcoming to others in appropriate situations. The training process isn’t too different from other pets, but some areas need to be closely monitored.

What is Training a Boxer Like?

When it comes to boxer dog training you will quickly find the entire experience is more of playing games with them rather than vigorous and intense training.

The young boxer is energetic, very playful, and will quickly learn games taught to them. You’ll use this to your advantage when you go in depth with their training. Making it a fun experience for them allows the opportunity for quicker results.

It is important to note that since this breed is extremely intelligent they can become stubborn. They have an understanding of what is expected of them, but at times they will do what they want to do when it fits into their schedule.

Patience is essential with this breed. Remain firm and don’t let him get away with not responding, otherwise he may determine he is in control.

At the two month mark your boxer will begin to try and claim dominance, during this time he will nip and bite at you. Be firm and hold your own.

Never hit the dog for biting you, this creates a negative environment. Correct him calmly with a positive approach. This is very important part of boxer dog training.

Positive Reinforcement Strategy

With positive reinforcement, you are teaching your pet there is a reward to listening to you. During boxer dog training when your dog does an action or responds to your command successfully you need to reward him.

This can be done by providing a treat, or giving him an item that he enjoys. It can be as simple as a hug, or as complex as play time with a new toy. Ultimately, the best item him something he’ll enjoy.

On the same token, if he doesn’t respond or ignores your command hold firm and keep commanding. During this time he may become stubborn you can show him the reward for the correct action and this will normally solve the situation.

Housetraining & Crate Training

During the housetraining process, the best results will begin by using Crate Training. For crate training you start introducing him to the very basics of this concept. Turn it into a game for him to go inside and explore, as he enters the crate say “go into your crate”. This will add a verbal command to the action that he will be able to use in the future. Don’t ever place your puppy into the crate as a punishment; otherwise they will assume it is a negative place.

You can then ask them to begin going into their crate from longer distances. After awhile they will be able to reach it with a simple command, and understanding on where they are going.

When they have an understanding that their crate is part of their home, your puppy will learn not to use it for the bathroom. You’ll use that concept into the remainder of the home. As they run around the house and play you’ll begin to notice their behavior before they need to use the restroom.

Some dogs will begin to sniff and whine, others will begin to do an agitated dance, but since every pet is unique no one rule will work for the next. Learn the signs and the potty training process becomes a snap.

When you notice the signs you can simply state “need to go potty?” as a question and the dog will learn when you ask this that you understand that there is a need to use the restroom.

From this point, bring them outside and set them in an area you would prefer them to use. As they go to the bathroom, state what action they are doing and praise them. Either with good “pee” or “poop” depending on the term you want to use with them.

If you are in a hurry and you take them outside you’ll be able to use those words to your advantage by asking them to perform the task quickly. Another important part of boxer dog training is socialization.

Socialization

Socialization is essential for your young dog to help them behave better around other people and pets. A good way to begin the process is to introduce them to a dog park after they are old enough to have had their shots.

During this time, you can encourage them to play friendly with other dogs, and praise them when they play nicely with each other. Allow them to realize that other dogs are friends and not enemies.

The same needs to be done with people as well. Invite people over who enjoy dogs, and let them know you are training your dog. Reward them for being friendly to people you welcome into your home.

At the same time, encourage barking when someone pretends to break in. This will let them see a difference in the way they need to protect you.

During boxer dog training you need to make sure they also understand not to jump on people when they arrive home.

This can be scary and harmful to children and the elderly so teach them that when they meet someone new they shouldn’t jump. Simply press lightly on their paws backwards to set them down. It will be uncomfortable for them, and they will remain on the floor.

Leash Training

When you first introduce the leash and collar allow the dog to sniff and smell it. This will let them become comfortable with the items around them. Next, place the collar around your pet’s neck and allow them to take a moment and adjust themselves to wearing it. During this time make sure you can place three fingers between the collar and the neck to ensure they can breathe.

You will then need to teach them how to walk with you on a leash. Take a moment and go out onto the main driveway of your home. During this time begin to walk at a slow enough pace that they follow.

Ensure they remain on the left side of you and maintain your pace. Stop several times and say “stop” when they continue and lightly tug on the leash.

Next, allow them to speed up, get a distance from you, tug on the leash, say “heel”, and have them slow down to your pace. This process takes some time, but once it is done you will have a dog that obeys on the leash.

Obedience Training

Obedience Training is essential for training your boxer. Often the best way to go about this type of training is to attend a local class full of other dogs to help with socialization.

These courses will teach the basics such as sit and stay as well as other basic commands. If want to do it yourself you may want to try clicker training.

Clicker Training

Boxer dog training with a clicker allows the dog to recognize when they do something right by hearing a clicking sound. During these exercises you’ll ask the dog to sit and instead of giving a reward you’ll simply click on the clicker and they will know they performed the correct action.

Common Behavior Problems

During your boxer dog training you will find some common behavior problems associated with this breed. These include:

* Aggression – If not treated when they are young, they will become aggressive and attempt to dominate the situation.

* Independence – They will go and do their own thing without regard to their owners at times, even doing things they know they shouldn’t do.

* Stubbornness – They will believe they know what needs to be done rather than what you are asking them to do.

Tips For Training Older Dogs (2+ years old)

If you bring an older pet into your home the boxer dog training can be a little more difficult. They will have established ways of doing things that you may not like.

You’ll need to exercise more understanding during training and focus more on the negative aspects they have rather than what you wish they could do.

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A Quick Introduction To Boxer Dog Allergies

We humans are not the only living beings that suffer from allergies these days. In fact, any living creature can suffer from allergic reactions to any number of elements, whether physical substances or atmospheric ones, and if you own a Boxer then the likelihood is that he or she may suffer from Boxer dog allergies.

There are several kinds of allergies that could affect your dog so it is important to be aware of them in order to react in a timely manner and ensure that your dog stays as comfortable as possible.

External Boxer Allergies

External Boxer dog allergies are fairly common. The main symptom of this kind of allergy is a skin reaction and thus your dog may itch as a result of it. If the itching persists without treatment then it is likely that your dog will bite and scratch until his or her fur falls out and sores develop. As such, it is essential to have your Boxer checked out if he or she is scratching on a fairly regular basis. The most common of the Boxer dog allergies in this category is the flea allergy. Fleas only irritate those dogs that are allergic to the saliva when they bite. As such, this will cause a reaction in itself and the scratching will make it worse. However, this is an easy allergy to combat. Treating your dog with flea medication will get rid of the mites and keep them away for a while.

Other external Boxer dog allergies include reactions to chemicals and other substances that may come into contact with the skin. The former includes reactions to cleaning fluids, detergents and shampoos that you may use on them. It may be that you have used a new dog shampoo that irritates his or her skin. Alternatively, you may have washed his or her bed with a substance that the skin reacts to. Either way, it is essential to seek veterinary help and then remove the fluid from the home, never to be used again. To help relieve your dog’s itching you may want to use a natural remedy like Petpost Skin & Coat Coconut Oil for Dogs or PetHonesty Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil.

 

Internal Allergies

Boxer dog allergies also encompass internal allergies. Those allergies falling into this category are the result of your dog ingesting substances that he or she is allergic to. This is often food based and causes diarrhea, vomiting and rashes on the skin. Allergies like this are best treated by a vet as soon as you notice something is wrong as some internal allergies could actually result in serious illness or even death.

Of all the Boxer dog allergies, these are the most serious and so it is essential to identify the allergy sooner rather than later. Prescribed medication helps when accompanied by the removal of the source of the reaction from your Boxer diet or the general vicinity if he or she has eaten something from the garden, for example.

All Boxer dog allergies are extremely uncomfortable for your dog so be sure to maintain vigilance so you can deal with them sooner rather than later. Prompt treatment promotes a healthy and happy life after all!

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