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Most dogs don't understand the word 'no'.  It's not for a lack of hearing it.  Most dogs have heard the word 'no' 1000 times.  But guess what, they have also heard words like 'couch' or 'carpet' or 'lightswitch' a number of times.

If you want your dog to understand any word you need to establish an association with the word.  In this case you need to use a correction attached with the word 'no' in order for your dog to understand.

Hi there,

An out of control dog is usually a dog who has too much time on his paws.

A dog who usually does not have enough mental and physical stimulation. or is given the wrong kind of stimulation.

I suggest that you enrol him in a positive reinforcement method dog training school. Perhaps it might be worth your while to seek the advice of a good dog behaviourist. Just make sure that all methods that you are advised to use are non-confrontational, and gentle.

Yard dogs are also often far more boisterous as they are isolated from their human pack and dont develop house skills as they are excluded.

If he is a yard dog - try crate training him (using rewards, and a positive association with the crate) which will let him be with you more but with you being able to limit his options.

Lots of walks off the property, ideally in many different locations also will make a huge difference. As will playing in the yard with him - but beware of playing rough house games. Try games that encourage concentration and control - games such as fetch, hide and seek etc are fine, but avoid games that involve winners and loosers.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Boxers are delightful animals but need a lot of work, exercise and owner input. These wild children can be calmed, but it does take a lot of owner effort

Louise SA 

I have a boxer as well. Everyone is correct in stating that they are high energy, need exercise, ect. But I think you need to learn how to become the pack leader. Your dog simply doesn't listen. I've been training dogs for a long time and I can tell you from experience, words don't matter. It's your body language, your energy and you mental image.

When you communicate with your dog, he can easily pick up on your emotion. Dogs don't listen to or follow excited, angry, nervous (ect) energy. They follow assertive leaders. So check how you are saying no. Try clapping, snapping your fingers or other sounds instead of words. But always check how you are coming across. It should be calm, confident and assertive.

If he is growling, he thinks he's the pack leader. Plain and simple. There are tons of ways to do this. Control access to his wants and needs. He should get nothing unless he earns it. So if he wants a bone, he sits and stays. If he gets up, put him back in the position and start over. When you feed him, make him sit and hold the sit until you are satisfied. Don't leave anything out that he likes. He must learn that he needs to listen to you or he won't get what he wants. Read this article to learn how to become the pack leader in your house and in Ace's mind: http://virtualdogtrainer.com/how-do-i-become-the-pack-leader/establishing-yourself-as-the-pack-leader/

And exercise, exercise, excersice. When you walk him, add a dog back pack. Put some water bottles in it (as many as you can fit). This will drain twice the amount of energy as a normal walk (i.e. 1 hour walk with pack drains as much as a 2 hour without). But don't limit the walks because you have the pack. It should just be a tool to drain excess energy.

Hang in there, it will get easier!

Chad Thompson

VirtualDogTrainer.com