Boxer Dog Obedience Training

The Boxer breed makes a great family pet but is often mistakenly thought to be slightly fussy and skittish at times. The reality is that they are a breed that needs lots of attention and only when they do not receive this do they become shy and skittish. Indeed, if you have a busy job and think you will not be home much then a boxer dog is not the right breed for you.

Having said that, if you do decide to get a Boxer then here are some facts about Boxer dogs. It will start by helping you select the best boxer puppy for your family.

It's prudent to do a bit of research before you go for a puppy. Good advice is to view the puppies parents if this is possible or at least get some information on them. You will gain an insight into their temperament and how the puppies may turn out in the future.

It is also a good idea to find a boxer from a non commercial breeder who does it for the love of it rather than to make money. This means the dogs are likely to be well cared for and be more sociable.

According to the American Kennel Club the Boxer breed is in the top ten of purebred dogs in terms of popularity. They are a medium sized dog that are energetic and very inquisitive. Consequently they will require more attention and cost more than a small toy breed of dog.

You should consider that food bills, dog toys and treats will be greater than many other breeds of dog. They are short haired dogs so grooming is minimal. They don't seem to like water either so bathing may be interesting.

Boxers are very sociable dogs. They are better off living in a family and crave the attention that many people will give to them. You should make sure that your boxer has plenty to do. Without attention they will soon get bored and lonely. The result of this kind of treatment will be bad behavioral habits and potentially destructive activities like tearing up plants and dig holes.

Space is important to a Boxer dog. It is not practical to keep a dog such a this in an apartment. It needs a home with an ample backyard where it can run around and tire itself out. You can plant dog treats in areas of the yard so that your pet will rummage around and be kept active. Get it lots of toys to keep it busy too. Boxers will spend many hours ragging toys and this fits their nature perfectly.

Excesses of energy may make a boxer dog hard to obedience train. They have a tendency to get easily distracted by the slightest thing so positive reinforcement training is thought to be the best method because you are attracting the dogs attention after each command.

You should begin the training as soon as possible, preferably when they are puppies. This includes socializing them with other family members so that they know their status within the family. A well adjusted dog is more content and will respond better to obedience training.

Given their exuberant nature you may want to make the environment where the dog is trained quiet and distraction free. Thus your pet may not be the best pupil in a group obedience training class with lots of other pooches to distract it. Obedience training is a big task when it comes to any dog, let alone a Boxer but it is certainly worth making this commitment. They are an intelligent animal and love the close relationship with their owner that obedience training requires.