What you are doing is building word associations with dog that will allow you to encourage his potty activity on command. This comes in handy when you and your dog are at unusual locations and at pit stops during long haul travel. It also saves you from cleaning unwanted fecal material off carpet at home.

It is a good idea to train your puppy to use a place where you can easily clean up and dispose of droppings into sewer. This is because worms that infect dogs and make them sick get spread around through eggs or larvae found in feces. Some, like roundworm, can also infect children.

Reprimanding Your Puppy: Talk to puppies like you would to children when they do something wrong. Tell them "no" and show them immediately what correct behavior should be and reward them for doing it right. After a few times they'll know how to do it right.

For example, tell him "NO" when you catch him chewing shoes. Then immediately give him his own toys to chew and cheer him on to chew on toys. Praise him for doing so.

Another point to consider is that costs for food, training, grooming, medical care, toys and other supplies do add up. Still, for many years now, Boxer has ranked in top 10 of favorite purebreds by American Kennel Club, numbering about 35,000 Boxers registered in 2003.

Boxers Crave Attention Boxers need constant attention and love to be babied. Treat your Boxer as your best friend and play, play, play with him. One three-month old Boxer loves her bath more when owner sings to her. Be it playing, talking or singing to them or taking them for a walk, Boxers simply love attention. Shower them with love, affection and attention as well as some treats.

These keep Boxers happy. Left to their own devices, Boxers can become very destructive when lonely, bored and ignored. One is known to jump over 6-footer fences if owner is gone for too long. Give extra space when you have to leave Boxers alone over extended period. They don´t like to be locked in a room. One owner gives a 4-year old male Boxer run of hall stairs, landing and its own bedroom and dog is much happier and not destructive at all. When you have to leave Boxers alone, you better make sure they have a toy they really like or they'll find something to do that you probably really won't like.

Destructive Streak in Boxers Boxers are too smart and strong for their own good, and if they're bored and undisciplined they can be a disaster in house. That is why obedience training is important, in order to prevent destruction of too many of your belongings. Training makes a happier dog.