Understanding the Boxer
The boxer is complex, intelligent, and frequently misunderstood. While we no longer have need of its bear-, bull-, and boar-baiting abilities, the breed retains its powerful mental and physical characteristics. This sometimes causes problems for boxers in a world that no longer has a need or outlet for their tremendous skills.
The boxer is a dignified and intelligent breed.
All boxers need a job, and if they aren't given one, they will make one up. Thousands of boxers across the country end up in rescue programs every year because their owners failed to take these latent abilities into consideration when their boxers were still adorable puppies. As a result, they failed to provide these pups with the stimulation and education that every boxer needs to keep from getting into trouble. Without sufficient attention and training, boxers tend to exhibit problem behaviors, especially the following:
Aggression, usually the result of unrestricted territoriality
Unrestrained physical energy (such as jumping up and knocking people down)
Excessive barking
Uncontrollable and inappropriate chewing (as of furniture, car tires, linoleum flooring)
Your boxer's job doesn't have to be as dramatic or interesting as what his ancestors were used to doing every day. What he does need is basic obedience training (at least) so he knows how to be a canine good citizen. In essence, every boxer should be busy being a good, well-trained dog and a wonderful family companion.
Every boxer needs to know the obedience basics: come, sit, stay, down, leave it, get off, and walk nicely on leash. In addition, your boxer should know how to get along with other dogs and should willingly accept handling and petting from anyone approved and introduced by the owner. These are basics skills every new dog or puppy should learn.
With all their sensitivity, complexity, energy, and drive, boxers generally need more of their owners' attention than other breeds that might settle down more readily after adolescence. Unlike those dogs, most boxers remain puppies until the end. This comes as a surprise to people familiar with other breeds who expect a mature dog to become a couch potato. First-time boxer owners are usually in for quite a shock.
