Obedience class
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Tulsa-Dan
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Puppies have very short attention spans and life is new and very exciting to them so naturally, they are going to be distracted at everything that moves or simply looks new and curious to them.
The distraction work you need to do should be taught by your obedience class instructor. Ask the instructor for ways to help your dog overcome distractions in class and how to hold his concentration during the work in class.
Good luck.
The distraction work you need to do should be taught by your obedience class instructor. Ask the instructor for ways to help your dog overcome distractions in class and how to hold his concentration during the work in class.
Good luck.
Dont give up she is rite puppies to have short attention spand. We took max to obedience shcool when he was 6 months. And he definetly wasnt ready we dropped out before we got kicked out. He was quite the corker!!!!! But do relize boxers pick up fast keep at them at home and they will learn quick.
Alisha Mobley
Boxer Insane
Like Dan said...they have short attention spans. IMO, it's never too early to start classes. Ours started anywhere from 9-12 weeks...their attention span was next to nothing but the socialization they get from it is well worth it. We run ours back thru a second time once a little older (10-12 months) to brush up on the training we do at home. It works out for us because once we pay for a class we can re-take it as many times as we want for free.
Just stick with it and talk to your trainer...it gets better in time and with practice.
Just stick with it and talk to your trainer...it gets better in time and with practice.
Renee&Jake
Super Boxer
Puppies do have short attention spans, but when you work on directing that short attention span to you, you might find training to come a little easier.
Think to yourself what you can do to be more interesting, and to maintain the attention. Attention from a dog is not 'given' to a handler, the handler has to work it.
When I am in class, anytime we are between exercises, I am doing little things to keep and maintain motivation - little touches, puppy pushups, watch me games, just 'stuff'. These little things that I do, are what sets me apart from a novice trainer, in that I don't expect my dog will sit quietly while the intructor is talking, and then I am going to just 'turn them on' when it's time to work. I start to 'turn them on' while we are still out in the parking lot...get them interested to work, and get them interested in ME, and keep them interested in ME for an entire hour.
It might help to ask yourself what are 10 things you can do at class, that will make Murphy pay attention to you. Work them at home even though you don't *need* to, and then take those activities to class and see if there is any improvement.
And if you can, attend one advanced class as an observer. If you can watch 'experienced' trainers, you will see the difference between what they do that you could improve on.
Happy Training!
-Renee
Think to yourself what you can do to be more interesting, and to maintain the attention. Attention from a dog is not 'given' to a handler, the handler has to work it.
When I am in class, anytime we are between exercises, I am doing little things to keep and maintain motivation - little touches, puppy pushups, watch me games, just 'stuff'. These little things that I do, are what sets me apart from a novice trainer, in that I don't expect my dog will sit quietly while the intructor is talking, and then I am going to just 'turn them on' when it's time to work. I start to 'turn them on' while we are still out in the parking lot...get them interested to work, and get them interested in ME, and keep them interested in ME for an entire hour.
It might help to ask yourself what are 10 things you can do at class, that will make Murphy pay attention to you. Work them at home even though you don't *need* to, and then take those activities to class and see if there is any improvement.
And if you can, attend one advanced class as an observer. If you can watch 'experienced' trainers, you will see the difference between what they do that you could improve on.
Happy Training!
-Renee
DogNamed_Boo
Completely Boxer Crazy
Boo will be going to his 3 puppy class tonite .....he will be 4 months old the 26th ....and doing fairly well in class ....What I am concered about is the train talked about off leash time with all the puppies...Most of the puppies are small breed puppies & are very small ....& one other puppy about half a big as Boo is & very aggressive ....I know its only playing ...but he is very aggressive ...not sure of his breed ...maybe a mixed. I don't want any problems with Boo hurting the smaller puppies ...& the aggressive puppy hurting Boo...:( ...I trust the trainer knows what she is doing....I just don't feel comfortable with the off leash idea at all .....Do I worry to much ?
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neilsmom2000
Super Boxer
Hi Boo
Don't worry too much about puppies being aggresive off leash. Puppy play looks and sounds rough, but usually it is pretty harmless. In fact, your puppy will probably see off leash time with other dogs as a huge reward, and it'll help socialize him to other dogs. Besides, the whole thing will be heavily supervised. Look to your obedience trainer for how to react. If he/she sees rough play and looks relaxed about it, you can bet he/she has seen it all before, and recognizes the difference between behaviour that is no big deal and when things are getting too serious.
As for keeping your baby's attention during class, I find kongs, pull toys, treats and tricks helpful. It may tick off the other class members that you are constantly playing with and talking to your dog (and consequently, their dogs want to be with you, not their owner!), but it really is an excellent strategy for keeping their attention. It certainaly works well with Lara, who STILL lunges at other dogs while on leash during class (we're working on it!).
Good luck!
Don't worry too much about puppies being aggresive off leash. Puppy play looks and sounds rough, but usually it is pretty harmless. In fact, your puppy will probably see off leash time with other dogs as a huge reward, and it'll help socialize him to other dogs. Besides, the whole thing will be heavily supervised. Look to your obedience trainer for how to react. If he/she sees rough play and looks relaxed about it, you can bet he/she has seen it all before, and recognizes the difference between behaviour that is no big deal and when things are getting too serious.
As for keeping your baby's attention during class, I find kongs, pull toys, treats and tricks helpful. It may tick off the other class members that you are constantly playing with and talking to your dog (and consequently, their dogs want to be with you, not their owner!), but it really is an excellent strategy for keeping their attention. It certainaly works well with Lara, who STILL lunges at other dogs while on leash during class (we're working on it!).
Good luck!
DogNamed_Boo
Completely Boxer Crazy
Boo's class tonite went very good ....the off leash time I was worried about went very good ...The trainer put the small dogs in a different part of the building...There was only 3 dogs with Boo off leash ...then the trianer brought out one of her Boxers which is 5 years old .....she & Boo had a great time playing with each other & the other puppies ...There was only one time she had to step in...the aggressive puppy was getting alittle pissed 
.... Other than that all was well ....
Boo came home exhausted ...poor guy !
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.... Other than that all was well ....Boo came home exhausted ...poor guy !
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lilly111161
Boxer Pal
Our male 4 month old also semed very distracted in his first class. Our trainer has worked with alot of boxers, and wouldn't let me get frustrated. Although Lex seems distracted, I just took what I learned in class and I am working on it at home all week, hoping that every week is better! I agree that it is hard seeing some of those MELLOW pups in the class, though I am certain they just cant be near as much fun as my boxer!
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