Boxer Puppy Crate Training Guide

So, you’ve brought home your furry bundle of joy, kisses, and cuddles! Congratulations! When bringing your pup home, it can be a daunting task figuring out how to train them, what tools to have, and actions to take. 

Crate training a boxer puppy can be a challenge, but it’s worth it! With patience and consistency, your pup will quickly learn that the crate is his safe place and what potty spots you want them to use. Here are some tips to get you started.

What’s Needed to Crate Train Successfully?

Crate training a dog can be a great way to help them feel comfortable and safe in your home. But there are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to be successful using a consistent routine. Ensuring you follow the tips listed below will make for an easier time training your pup.

1. Choose the right size crate. Your pup should be able to stand up and turn around inside comfortably. If he’s too big for the crate, he’ll be uncomfortable and won’t want to stay in there. If they’re too small, they’ll find a spot to potty in the crate, which results in unwanted behaviors. 
2. Put the crate in a quiet, out-of-the-way place. You don’t want your pup to feel isolated, but he should have his own space to relax in. Placing a blanket over the crate will help make it more comfortable as they will be in a den like environment.
3. Make the crate inviting. Put a soft blanket or pillow inside and give your pup some of his favorite toys to play with. If your pup doesn’t seem comfortable, change around the interior of the crate.
4. Get your pup used to the crate gradually. Start by putting him in there for short periods of time and gradually increase the time he spends in there. Great ways to do this are to leave for a few minutes at a time at first, and then extend your trips out of the house by half-hour increments.
5. Never use the crate as punishment. Your pup should always associate the crate with positive experiences. Always make sure you’re using positive reinforcement with crate training, or any training at all.
6. Be patient. It takes time for pups to learn that the crate is a safe, comfortable place. Patience is critical when training as you’re teaching them something from scratch and in a language they may not fully understand yet. With patience and consistency, your pup will be crate-trained in no time!

Boxer Puppy Potty Training Tips

Accidents happen, but with a little patience and perseverance, you can potty train your boxer puppy in no time. The key is to be consistent with your commands and rewards, and to have a little patience. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Start with short training sessions and potty breaks. Trying to potty train your puppy all at once is likely to overwhelm them. Start with short 10-15-minute sessions a few times a day. This ensures they don’t get bored and associate training with something they don’t want to do.
2. Use the same command each time. Whether you say “outside” or “go potty,” using the same command each time will help your puppy understand what you want them to do. Consistency is key to training in any command you might try to teach them.
3. Reward good behavior. If your puppy does their business outside, be sure to give them plenty of praise and a treat. This will help them associate going potty with something positive. Don’t, however, praise at such a level you cause them to get overexcited and potty out of that excitement.
4. Watch for warning signs. If you see your puppy sniffing around or circling, it’s likely they need to go potty. Take them outside right away so they can relieve themselves in the right spot. You can avoid this by attaching them to your hip with a leash so you can keep a better eye on them.
5. Establish a routine. Boxer pups are creatures of habit, so it’s important to establish a potty-time routine from the start. Take your pup outside regularly, and soon he’ll learn to go potty on cue.
6. Accidents happen. If your pup has an accident in the house, don’t scold him. Instead, clean it up with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent, and then take him outside immediately so he can finish his business in the right place. Do not rub their nose in the accident. This will do nothing but make them more anxious about the entire process.
7. Be consistent. Potty training takes time and patience, so it’s very important to be consistent with your pup. If you’re consistent with the rules and rewards, he’ll learn quickly that going potty outside is the right thing to do.

Boxer puppies are a joy to own, but they require some training so they don’t develop bad behavior. With these potty training tips, you can have your pup house-trained in no time. Be consistent with commands and rewards, and stay patient—accidents happen!

How to Crate Train Properly

Establish a routine with your pup when crate training them and you’ll find it’s a much more rewarding experience than you think. It’s best to use a routine when crate training as it allows your pup to understand when they should be inside their crate and for how long.

Crate training can be a great way to potty train your boxer puppy, as it allows you to control when and where they go to the bathroom. It’s important to use positive reinforcement when crate training, as this will help your pup associate being in the crate with good things.

Starting with using positive reinforcement, such as treats or praise, whenever your pup enters their crate will help to create a good association. You can then leave them in the crate for short periods of time with each training session, gradually increasing the time they are in there. This will help them get used to being in there for longer periods of time during the day, or even at night.

When putting your pup in the crate, don’t crate them for too long until you’re solid with their training. Doing so will unnecessarily stress them out and cause more issues than you started with. If you need to leave them there for longer periods of time, provide them with plenty of toys and chewies to keep them occupied or this may cause destructive behavior.

Leave the crate open for your pup to go in and out of as they please. This will teach them the crate is a safe space where they can retreat should they feel overwhelmed. As mentioned, placing a blanket over the crate will create a den and cause denning, one of the natural instincts where your pup will only sleep in their crate and come out to relieve themselves.

It’s also important not to use the crate as a punishment. This will cause your pup to associate being in there with negative things and make the training process that much harder. If they have an accident in the crate, simply clean it up and move on. Clean it with an enzymatic cleaner or they will smell the accident and think it’s an appropriate place to potty.

Remember, accidents happen. No matter how well you think you have things under control, there will always be times when your pup has an accident. The key is to not get frustrated and to keep working with them, take them out for bathroom breaks often, and always stay positive. Eventually, they’ll get the hang of it and you’ll have a house-trained pup in no time!

Related: Why is my pup digging in his crate?

Potty Training Without a Crate

While crate training is more effective, some people do not want to use a crate or cannot use a crate. For those people, here are the basic rules for potty training without using a crate. Remember to be patient and consistent with your dog, as it may take them longer to learn where they should go potty without crate training.

1. When potty training a dog without a crate, you need to take them out for frequent bathroom breaks.
2. If you’re not crate training, then you’ll need to confine your dog to a small area inside or outside.Using a baby gate to confine them to a small room works just as well as a crate.
3. You need to take your dog out frequently, especially after they eat or drink.
4. Puppies usually have to go potty every few hours, so prepare to take them out often.
5. Always praise your dog when they go potty in the right spot to give the act a positive association.
6. If your dog has an accident, don’t punish them. This will only make your puppy afraid. Just clean it up and try again next time.

Whether you think the crate is a wonderful training tool or not, it’s important to remember your pup is adjusting to your household as much as you are to them. Accidents are going to happen and your dog doesn’t ‘know better’. Just be patient, consistent, and use positive reinforcement and you’ll have a potty-trained pup in no time!

FAQs

Can I train a puppy that’s 8 weeks of age?

It is possible to start potty training an 8 week old puppy, but it will take longer since they are still learning. However, some pups may take longer if they are resistant to training or if their owners are not consistent with the potty training regimen. Meal time with a regular feeding schedule is especially important to use for training purposes. On average, puppies usually need to go out 10-20-minutes after they’ve eaten. This will improve the older they get and with basic commands in place.

How long does it take to potty train a Boxer puppy?

It can take several weeks to a few months to toilet train a Boxer puppy. It depends on how quickly they learn and how often they have accidents. If your pup is having trouble learning, or seems to have trouble holding it, it may be something your vet should check as there could be an underlying health issue.

How do I stop my Boxer from soiling in the house?

If your Boxer is peeing in the house, the best thing to do is to give them plenty of times during the day to relieve themselves. You may also need to confine them to a smaller area. If you’re using a crate, make sure it’s the right size for your dog. They should be able to stand up and turn around in the crate.

If they potty in the house, ensure you clean it properly and do not punish them for having an accident. This will only cause undesirable behaviors and it will take longer to train them. Having an intelligent and high-energy breed such as the boxer can make training challenging if not done right.

What are the signs that my boxer needs to go potty?

Some signs that your boxer needs to go potty are sniffing around, circling, or barking. Some dogs, if you don’t have them with you, will find a hiding spot to potty in the house. Sniffing around is the biggest sign you should look out for. If you see any of these signs, take them outside right away to avoid an accident.

Conclusion

Anyone who has potty trained a puppy knows it can be a bit of a challenge. Housebreaking takes time, patience, and a lot of trips outside. But what do you do if you don’t want to use a crate? Well, never fear! It is possible to potty train a boxer puppy without locking them up in a  small space. 

Have any questions or any tips to add? Let us know in the comments below! Just remember to be patient and consistent with your dog, and take them out often.