Table of Contents
Growth Stage: By One Year
By one-year-old, your Boxer should have mastered many new skills, be completely potty trained, and enjoy meeting new people.
The training goal is to get your boxer involved with the activities.
Boxers are excellent competitors because of their intelligence and eagerness to please. Boxers have been successful in a number of contests, including Barn Hunt, Herding, Dock Diving, Fast CAT, and Tracking. Boxers have been exceptional in serving as therapy dogs.
Training goal number eight Boxers should avoid extreme temperatures.
Boxers are a brachycephalic breed, so they are sensitive to extreme temperatures. She says that it is necessary to keep them hydrated and not expose them to intense heat and sunshine. The short coat doesn’t provide much protection against the cold, so it’s best to get a stylish coat during chilly weather
Training Goal #1: Socialize Boxers with Dogs and People
Boxers are protective of their owners and proper socializing is a necessity. Shames says that socialization begins when a puppy enters their new home. Boxers are very social dogs.
Dog trainer and owner of Vendetta Boxers in Vallejo, California, recommends that owners start introducing their pets to friendly people with a few conditions. Puppies won’t have all their shots until they are 16 weeks old, so make sure visitors haven’t been to places like dog parks, pet stores, vets or other spots they could have been exposed to dogs who may be sick
The family dog program is a great way to socialize your dog. If you provide proof of the dog’s first shots, most training clubs will allow puppies as young as eight weeks old to enroll.
Training Goal #2: Get Boxers Used to Grooming
Boxers are short-haired dogs who are easy to keep clean, so you will need to get them used to basic grooming. It is recommended by a dog trainer and behaviorist that you gently wipe between the folds on the muzzle and under the dewlaps to clean it up. Shames says you can wipe their coat and paws between baths to remove dirt.
Russell Hartstein, owner of Fun Paw Care Dog Training in Los Angeles, California recommends that you want your Boxer puppy to associate brushes and washcloths with positive rewards like food and praise so that they don’t seem scary. He says to get the pup used to being touched on the muzzle, toes, body, tail, and hindquarters because these are areas your vet will check during exams.
Training Goal #3: Teach Your Boxer Basic Obedience
Boxers were originally bred to hunt large prey, so you don’t want them to channel their natural instincts into destructive behaviors. Boxers are bright and energetic, so start teaching them basic commands like ‘Sit,’ ‘Stay,’ and ‘Come,’ immediately after bringing them home.
When it comes to training Boxers, Henkle recommends consistency. She says that they can be stubborn and respond best to positive reinforcement training. Small pieces of chicken or hot dog work best. The more Boxers you train, the better they will be and the less destructive they will be.
By this age, your Boxer pup should have lots of new human and canine friends, be a pro at basic obedience, and enjoy regular grooming.
Training Goal #4: Potty Train Your Boxer
Boxers are quick to potty training. Henkle says that your puppy will need to potty within five to 15 minutes of eating, drinking, sleeping or playing. Puppies should be taken to the same spot each time. Reward them with a treat once they leave.
Boxers are so clean that crate training is important for potty training. Puppies should be provided with a Zen environment where they can sleep. Boxers don’t want to soil where they sleep. Make sure the crate is large enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around, and stretch out. They should not be kept in there for more than four hours at a time.
