How to Train Your Boxer to Guard

Boxers are medium-sized, working class dogs. They grow to heights of 25 inches and a weight of 70 pounds. Boxers make excellent guard dogs since they are fiercely loyal and naturally protective of their owners. The square build and well-developed muscular structure give it a noble, yet ferocious look. Boxers are exuberant and have lots of energy. Training the dog to guard properly prevents the animal from becoming overly friendly with strangers.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin the guard dog training by teaching your boxer to sit, heel, fetch, stay and come toward you. The training teaches your dog obedience to its master.

    • 2

      Maintain the same tone, volume, and facial expression when training your boxer to prevent confusion. Never yell, scold, or hit the dog. The pet wants to please you and make you proud. Patience on the part of the owner is vital to effective guard training.

    • 3

      Reward the boxer with treats or praise when the dog responds well to the training.

    • 4

      Walk to your boxer every time it barks during your training sessions and start this training when it is a puppy. The boxer soon learns that barking gets it attention. Praise the boxer well when someone walks onto your property and the animal barks.

    • 5

      Tell your boxer "No" in a normal tone when the dog barks at passing cars, cats, insects, or people walking past your home. Then proceed to ignore the boxer and give it no attention. The animal eventually grasps the idea of when it is acceptable to bark and when it is not.

    • 6

      Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes for your training sessions.Stop when the time is up or you feel the boxer is tired or distracted. Short, brief training periods are more effective than attempting to teach the boxer in one day. Boxers are similar to other dog breeds; their attention span is short.

    • 7

      Enroll the boxer in a dog obedience class or hire a professional trainer. This helps the pet interact with other humans and animals even if it is responding well to training at home.