how do I get my 18 month old bopxer to focus?

Answer 1

Boxers are extremely hyper, hard to train and stubborn. It is going to take alot of time.It is hard to get them to focus because they can't sit still long enough to concentrate.

You may want to get the help of a trainer. And I don't mean the class training that is offered at PetSmart. I mean one on one training that is provided in the home.
Do some research on the breed and see what others have done. Maybe it will give you some ideas.


Good Luck!

Answer 2

Treat based training methods. If they can focus on anything it is food. Give a command and continue giving the command until they do what is expected while you are holding the treat in sight. You can assist them with physical touch to complete the task if necessary. Then as soon as they do what was asked, give them the treat and a lot of praise and loving. Keep trainig, everyday work on training. Eventually the dog will look forward to the time you spend together to learn new things, get good treats, and lots of hugs and love.

Answer 3

Most people would tell you to take your dog to a trainer,that can work but you will still have to do a lot of work .

For starters,you need to know your dog and what he\she 'likes to do' ;often,boxers get stubborn they are one of the keen,intelligent dogs.

Be patient and set strict rules : reward the good deeds , punish the bad deeds...and always be gentle . They are beings just like us and can sense everything,so 'communicating' with your dog,making him\her to understand you and you to be understood is essential .

Ooohhh...play with your dog a lot,and spend as much time as possible - boxers are really affectionate and they can get stuck to you.

Answer 4

focus command:
take a small chewy, smelly treat in your index finger and thumb. take the treat to his nose so he smells the yummy (yeah right) smell. then, move the treat to your nose kind of towards your eyes and say "focus (name)." this makes your dog focus on your eyes. you should not be kneeling on the floor. you should simply be bent over enough to get the treat from his nose to yours and look him in the eyes. you look him in the eyes for just a moment, this isn't a stare down. once he looks at your eyes and focuses, then you give him the treat and say "good focus (name). good focus".

this helps tremendously on walks and anytime your dog just isn't paying attention.

this was one of our first commands learned in puppy school at petsmart!

also, never have your dog focus if you're wearing sunglasses or your eyes are obstructed. it defeats the purpose and will confuse him.

take care!