Are Boxer Dogs Good House Dogs? - By: Matthew Bettison

Boxer Dogs are friendly, lively companions that are popular as family dogs. Boxers are an intelligent, energetic and playful breed and are on the whole very good with children. Their natural suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength make them excellent guard dogs. It's great to know that you have a strong brave dog watching out for you!

These strong, intelligent, animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs in K9 units, and even herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war.

Training Boxer Dogs shouldn't be based on punishing bad behavior. Boxer Dogs, like other animals (and children for that matter), respond much better to positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training, which gives the dog a choice to think independently and to problem-solve.

So instead of telling your dog off when they do something wrong you ignore that and only reward the 'good' behavior. The name comes from the little 'clickers' that you use at the exact time when they do well and then reward (with food normally) to associate the clicker noise with food. It's using the "Pavlov's dog" principle to help your dog learn in a positive way rather than a negative one.

Boxer Dogs are generally happier with companionship, either with human or other dogs. The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed, but like other dogs its much better behaved if it's brought up in company without too much time left alone. Boxers are generally patient with smaller dogs and puppies, but sometimes they can challenge larger adult dogs, especially those of the same sex, may occur.

It would be a good thing to walk your Boxer Dog every day, even if he has a yard. Boxers are energetic and enjoy being active, playing games and participating in physical activities.

These dogs need exercise and hate being bored. Like a lot of other dogs they are not well suited to being left on their own during the day and so wouldn't be a good choice for a pet if you need to go off to work and leave the dog alone for most of the day.

Boxer Dogs came out of Germany, as a cross between an English Bulldog and a now extinct German breed they are a stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dog. The coat is smooth and fawn or a darker brindled (Brown and Black), with or without white markings. They normally live to around 9 - 11 years but can live up to 15 years old.

About the Author

For More Information on Boxer Dogs, Where They Came From, Boxer Puppies and How Best To Look After Them please visit http://www.BestBoxerDogs.Info

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