What is training?

Someone recently pointed out why we call it training and not education. As professionals, we’re called dog trainers, not teachers, tutors, instructors, or educators – yet we are the ones who provide the education to dog owners.

(And just to be clear, I’m talking about people who actually understand behaviour and emotions… not the “quick-fix” social media performers who shut dogs down with intimidation and pain.)

Training is a broad term that covers so much more than most people realise. It includes:

• teaching behaviours at home
• attending training classes
• resolving unwanted behaviours that weren’t recognised early enough or were accidentally reinforced
• teaching sports or tricks
• helping dogs to adopt to their environment
• cooperative handling
• connection and relationship.

For me, there are different things that fall under the training umbrella:

Life skills

Not just what we teach puppies, but how we socialise them and how we look at the bigger picture: what kind of adult dog do I want my Boxer to become?

Relationship building

Are we making sure we have a strong bond with our Boxers throughout the different stages of development? Are we their anchor, their mentor, their safe bubble?

Emotional support

Are we actually recognising when our Boxers are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or lacking confidence? And how do we help them navigate those difficult times?

Problem-solving

There is no such thing as a Disney dog: the perfectly behaved creatures we see in films. Dogs are dogs – animals created hundreds of years ago for purpose. Boxers are a working breed, and over the years they had many jobs, which makes modern life challenging as those breed-specific traits creep in as “bad” behaviours such as jumping, lunging, pulling, mouthing, or chasing. Those skills were vital a few decades ago, but now we complain about them. We call them problematic behaviours… when we should instead focus on teaching alternative skills to fulfil their needs and help them overcome their struggles.

Mental coaching

Their brain needs a job just as much as their body. Enrichment is still training: a way to satisfy mental needs, build calmness, confidence, resilience and provide troubleshooting challenges.

Training is so much more than teaching sit or lead walking.

And of course, it matters how we educate our Boxers – is it an easy, clear, enjoyable process for them? Or a difficult, unpleasant time they’d rather skip? It’s so easy to see in a Boxer’s body language how they feel about the techniques being used.

For me, training means positive experiences, enjoyable moments, successful sessions, improvement that comes with joy, skills the dog loves to perform, behaviours that make them feel empowered, the ability to navigate the world with confidence, and teamwork that strengthens relationship.

Training should make life better for both you and your Boxer. So call it whatever you like: training, education, coaching, mentoring, schooling… What matters is the experience and the outcome. So make sure it’s done with knowledge, understanding, and joy.

My goal as a trainer is simple: Not just to show you how, but to help you understand why – and to teach your Boxer with clarity, compassion, and fun.