Housebreaking a Boxer
Housebreaking your boxer puppy should be the very first thing on your to-do list after adopting your dog. What may seem like an easy task can quickly grow daunting and fill you with frustration as your puppy keeps pottying inside, destroying your expensive rugs and other belongings. What’s worse is that if your boxer puppy pees once he will most likely do it again as the scent of urine is not easily washed off so the next time he comes across the old spot and smells his urine a light bulb goes off and he goes “I found my bathroom!”.
I found my bathroom!
We don’t have to be experts to know that it’s not the bathroom but your boxer puppy doesn’t know any better! They don’t know that they’re not supposed to potty inside – how would they if nobody ever taught them? Which is why it’s our responsibility to train and guide our boxer puppy every step of the way. They don’t want to purposely make you mad. They don’t like peeing on the floor. But they have to do it somewhere and if you don’t train them, how will they know?
Living with a boxer puppy means you need to know how they think. Imagine a scenario when your puppy pees inside and about 10 minutes after you call him to you, point at the puddle, and yell at him for it. In reality, your boxer puppy will blankly stare at you with confusion. They cannot make the association of your angry mood and the puddle because the deed was done too long ago. If you keep doing that, soon enough when you call him he’ll come to you with a guilty face even when he hasn’t done anything wrong.
There’s a great way to housebreak your puppy without punishing him though. For this you need a backyard and a long leash to keep him outside for extended periods of time. Carefully monitor your puppy and when he potties you need to praise and reward right away. It’s important to know that your puppy can only make the association if it’s almost instantaneous. This will make a mental note for him “Peeing outside makes my master happy” so that’s what he’s going to be doing.
On the other hand if you catch your puppy pottying where you don’t want him to potty give him a stern “No” and lead him to the correct place. This process of elimination and praise will teach your puppy exactly where he should and shouldn’t potty. Soon enough your dog will learn that places that he should potty are those that will make you happy and that’s exactly what he will do.
Avoid punishing your puppy, instead, use positive reinforcement because it works wonderfully. Crates can also be of great use to potty training. Place your puppy inside a crate with his food bowl and a few towels. Instinctively, dogs will not excrete around their sleeping area so he will hold it in. When he looks like he’s ready to go, take him outside and wait for him to finish completely before praising and providing a treat. Repeat this and you will have a housebroken boxer puppy in a matter of weeks.
Looking for a 1-stop solution to all your boxer needs? Take a look at our comprehensive, step-by-step guide.