People who love dogs would recognize a boxer dog right away – it’s hard to miss a handsome dog with chiseled head, cropped ears and a muscular build which stands on its hind legs, prepping to box with its front paws. Boxer dogs are among the most favorite pet companions of people across the globe and for good reason; boxers have an entire list of fine attributes from being calm, intuitive dogs to being playful and patient. But just like any other animal, your boxer needs appropriate training and care to turn it into a lovable canine family pet. To help you with boxer dog training, heed these useful tips:

1. Get to know your dog first. Learn about the boxer breed even before bringing a new puppy home. Research is an inevitable first step to responsible dog ownership. Every dog breed highlights peculiarities in a particular group of canines. Extremely intelligent and playful, boxers forge strong bonds with their owners that last through their lifetimes. Knowing how to train one is crucial to a loyal companionship.

2. Begin with a puppy. Naturally intelligent dogs, boxers are stubborn and strong-willed breeds. Housebreaking and obedience training as best done as early as possible. Also, because of their defined features and creased brows, people tend to assume boxers are ferocious dogs and are naturally aggressive. In truth, boxers are more playful than many other dog breeds but are excellent guard dogs as well. As in any other dog, a boxer protective instinct is roused with perceived threat or aggression. It’s best to train your boxer early to recognize any potential problems.

3. Prepare to be tested. At about 13 weeks old, your boxer puts your resolve to the test. You’ll know it’s time to be tough on boxer dog training when your pet nips and chews and generally ignores your commands. When boxers give you the dominance test, it’s important to assume the leadership role and be firmly consistent. Dogs are pack animals; even boxers submit to the recognized pack leader.

4. Socialize with your dog. An important aspect of boxer dog training is socialization. Boxers need to get used to being around other dogs and people. This is important to curb aggressive tendencies. While training classes are excellent ways to expose your pet to others of his kind, it is equally important for owners to socialize with their pets. Play with your dog. Boxers are an exuberant bundle and would make good running companions. They’d also enjoy long walks or a game of catch.

Benefits of a Trained Boxer Dog

Boxer dog training itself is both an enjoyable and fulfilling experience where owner and pet grow to love and respect the other. Once you’re past the stubbornness of your boxer and have established a strong bond with him, you’ve won a friend, protector and companion for life. Boxers are excellent guard dogs and family pets. You’d be surprised to find your pet is also a pretty useful working dog as well.

A dog can truly be a man’s best friend and is considered as a family member in many households worldwide, therefore, when a beloved pet becomes lost it is a devastating experience for the entire family. Fortunately, with the latest in innovative technology made available today dog tracking devices are easily obtained at affordable prices that can prevent the permanent loss of your pet. In the past, methods of finding a lost pet included the distribution of flyers, hanging up posters, and microchips implanted by a veterinarian. Today, a less intrusive and much faster method of finding your dog is with tracking GPS devices specifically designed for pets with the ability to prevent them from being lost or located quickly should they disappear.

How GPS Dog Tracking Devices Work

Initially, dog tracking devices were developed in order to assist hunters in locating their hunting dogs during and after a hunt. The tracking GPS devices designed for dogs work in a manner very similar to the GPS systems utilized in vehicles. The tracking kit utilizes the assistance of the global positioning system (GPS) and typically consists of a transmitting collar for the dog and a receiver which is a hand held unit that receives the signals transmitted from the collar. However, there are also dog tracking systems that do not utilize a hand held receiver and are designed to be used with a personal computer and the user must log on to view the location of their dog and some systems that require the owner to call a service center that will assist them in locating their pet.

Utilizing Dog Tracking GPS Devices

Many hunters now use GPS tracking devices to assist them while on a hunt with their dog as it allows them to determine their location when they cannot hear or see their dog such as in areas that are covered by tall grass, thick underbrush, or dense woods. With the latest in innovative technology many of these devices are now designed to not only determine the exact location of the hunting dog, but also the path that he has traveled and whether he is sitting, pointing, or “treeing” quarry.  Many of these advanced systems are also programmable and can be set to sound an alarm when the dog is performing a certain action such as when going on point.  Some of these systems also have the capability of tracking multiple dogs for several miles.

Statistics show that over eighty percent of dogs that go missing are never found, therefore, while tracking GPS systems have become very beneficial to hunters, they are now being utilized by many pet owners for ensuring the safety and well being of their animals. The latest in programmable features allows owners to set the device to sound an alarm if the dog leaves a certain designated area allowing them to quickly locate and retrieve their dog.  When browsing the selection of tracking GPS devices for your dog it is important to select one that is capable of covering the full range of area you desire and is able to withstand the elements such as rain and extreme heat or cold. As you can see, dog tracking devices are an excellent way to ensure your pets safety by reducing the risk of having your dog stolen, injured, or permanently lost.

You may know him and love him thanks to The Dog Whisperer, and Cesar Millan is back with a brand-new show. His Cesar 911 airs Fridays at 9 p.m. EST on Nat Geo Wild, and he recently visited us in New York to speak about his latest endeavor. We also had to ask Cesar a few pressing questions currently plaguing our editors about their very own pets, including what to do when you bring home a new baby. On Allie: Orla Kiely dress Subscribe to POPSUGAR Entertainment! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=popsugartv Visit our website for more celebrity and entertainment news! http://www.popsugar.com Are we friends yet? Join us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PopSugar Get the latest updates via Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/popsugar

People often say to me they wish they had trained their dog when he was a puppy, thinking it is now too late and that they have to live with the bad habits that their dog has accumulated along the way.  It is not true.  All dogs no matter their age or breed can learn basic training and understand a range of commands at any time.  The only difference is that the training may take a bit longer and require additional reinforcement for the older dog.

Dogs are all motivated by the same factors, they want to please you and earn your love and respect.  They are eager for acceptance into your family, just like they would be keen to fit into a pack if they were in the wild and are quick to learn how to do this by responding to your reactions.  It is therefore important to remember the way you respond to your dog after every action he or she makes will affect how they will act ongoing.  Praise, be it in the form of food, a cuddle, a scratch or a walk will enforce the behaviour that went before, while a stern word or ignoring the dog will deter from a repeat of the preceding behaviour.

Below are some simple training tips and techniques you can introduce at home.  Of course if you have a puppy, enrolling them in puppy training school is definitely recommended.  The skills that both you and your puppy will learn in obedience training are essential to maintaining a happy and harmonious household.

Crate Training

One method of training that is gaining popularity is the use of a crate.  The crate provides your dog with a secure place which is their own safe and happy home.  By slowly increasing the amount of time the puppy is in their crate, especially over night or while you are out, the crate can become your puppy’s happy space, reducing barking and separation anxiety.  Never use the crate as a form of punishment.

Training on a Lead

Ensuring you are in control while walking your dog is essential for both your dog and your children’s safety.  It is therefore important to teach your puppy good lead etiquette early on.  If your dog starts to drag or pull you, stop walking, say “sit” in a loud, clear voice (if they do not understand, use your hand and firmly press down on the back of the dogs bottom, your dog should then sit), wait for a moment and then start walking again.  Do this every time your dog pulls or tugs and they will soon associate the stopping of their walk with the fact they are pulling and will over time be content to walk beside you.

Basic Commands

At home you want to make it clear to your dog you are in control and what you expect of him.  This will provide your dog with a level of security, as he will know how to please you.  Start with simple commands such as sit, down and wait.  Once mastered move on to teaching him other useful skills like how to indicate he needs to go outside to go to the bathroom.

Patience and Consistency

While not a training technique in itself, having plenty of patience and ensuring everyone in your house is consistent in the way they train your dog will ensure you are granted with success.  If you are not consistent your dog will get confused, especially when they are excited and this will lead to your puppy acting in the wrong way.