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Boxers are among the more energetic and intelligent breeds of dog. The love getting attention from their owners and constantly seek out attention. Like many other breeds, they are very intelligent and have a very high capacity to learn. Right along with a strong stubborn streak that shows up when they don't feel like doing anything. The earlier you start potty training your Boxer pup the better, however, you should wait until he is about 7 weeks old as he won't be able to fully understand what you are trying to teach him.
The task at hand is simple. Your job is to train your dog that going potty inside your home is not an acceptable behavior. At the same time, he must learn that the only place it is acceptable for him to go potty is outside. You should try and choose one spot of your yard that will become his place to go potty. This will help to eliminate any risk of confusion and make it easier for you to train him successfully.
There isn't much to getting started potty training your Boxer, beyond having the time and patience to keep taking him outside until he masters the art of holding himself until you take him out. You will need a few things.
- A crate – For when you are not home
- A leash – To take him outside on
- Treats – For when he gets it right
Potty training any dog is more about consistency than anything else. The more on schedule you are and the more of a routine you develop, the easier it will be for your pup to figure it all out.
The Leash Method
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It's all about location
Pick your location out in the yard. Be sure you always take him to the same spot to avoid any confusion. This will help him to understand he is to go potty here and nowhere else.
Let's go potty
Tell your pup, "Let's go potty", hook his leash to his collar, take him outside, and lead him to the chosen spot in the yard. Stay here with him until he goes.
Praise him
Praise your pup for going potty and give him a treat. Use this same manner each time he goes potty.
Routine
Create a consistent routine by taking your pup outside at the same times every day. He needs to go out after waking up in the morning, a nap, extended play, or a meal, as well as before bedtime, and any time he drinks a lot of water.
Repeat
The rest is all about repeating the training until you no longer have to worry about your pup peeing or pooping in the house.
The Timer Method
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Set the timer
For the first couple of weeks of training, you should set a time to remind you that you should be taking your pup outside every hour. You should also take him out after meals, after he drinks, naps, or wakes up in the morning, and right before bedtime. Each time he goes, even if it is only a little, praise him and give him a treat.
Increase the time
Start moving the time out a little at a time. Sstart by stretching it to 90 minutes for a couple weeks and then to 120 minutes. At the end of the time period, take your pup out and keep him out until he goes, then him back inside. Do not take him in until he goes.
When he decides to go
When your pup goes potty, be sure to reward him and give him a treat. This type of positive reinforcement will go a long way towards successfully potty training him.
A close eye
During the time your pup is potty training, you need to keep a close eye on him and if he shows signs of needing to go potty, take him straight out to his spot in the yard. When he goes, praise him and give him a treat.
In case of accident
In the event your pup has an accident, don't scold him. Just clean up the mess and carry on with his training until he no longer messes in the house. Be patient, it will take time.
The Training Spray Method
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Establish a potty schedule
Set up a potty schedule for your pup. At first, it might be every 30 minutes, but an hour is better. You can use a timer to make sure you keep to the schedule. This will help your pup master this important skill faster.
Mark his bathroom spot
Using a readily available pet potty training spray, mark an area in your backyard where your pup can go potty.
On the spot
Take your pup outside on his leash and over to the spot you marked in the grass. The spray is designed to coax your pup to go potty and should be enough. Be patient, keep him there for 15 minutes. If by this time he hasn't gone, he probably doesn't need to. Take him inside and give him a few minutes before taking him out again.
Time to take him out immediately
There are several times when you should be prepared to take your pup outside immediately. These include first thing in the morning, last thing at night, after a long play time, after a meal, and after a long drink.
Rinse and repeat
The rest is all about repeating this training until your pup lets you know when he needs to go out. Be sure to use lots of praise and treats when he goes potty and most of all, be patient.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/16/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Letting us know they have to use the bathroom?
Feb. 10, 2019
Denali and Sequoia's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Brian, It usually takes puppies several months to learn to alert you on their own when they need to go out. That is why a strict potty training schedule where you take them before they need to go, is so important while they are young. If they do not learn to alert you on their own, or you want to teach a different type of alert or speed up the process, you can teach them to ring a bell when they need to go outside. Check out the article that I have linked below: Ring a bell: https://wagwalking.com/training/ring-a-bell-to-go-out Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Feb. 11, 2019