Education

Socialization has a great influence on the education

It is highly advisable from a very young age to positively accustom your puppy to new noises, surroundings, people, animals, traffic, etc., so that he learns to distinguish different smells, sites, sounds, and situations so that he has no fear of them in the future. 

In your puppy´s first year, as his bones and joints aren´t fully formed, make his walks short but frequent; as well, when you take him in the car, you will need to either physically put him in car or use a car ramp or stairs.  Over the course of the year you can start to prolong the walks approximately five minutes per month.  The Boeboel requires much patience and effort for his education.   

House training

A puppy has the need to relieve himself at least six times a day.

An interesting trick:  utilize a crate from the very beginning to teach your puppy to be clean in the house.  In the crate the puppy will feel secure (like in a nest), but you should never use the crate to punish the puppy.  The crate is useful to house train the puppy because he normally does not want to relieve himself in his sleeping area.  When the puppy needs to relieve himself the owner should take the puppy immediately to where he wants him to do so.  This must be repeated continually until the puppy learns.  If there is an “accident” in the crate, do not panic nor punish the puppy!  If you get angry you will make things worse.  The owner will note the signs that the puppy has to relieve himself as he will walk faster and start to sniff the floor when he has to go.  Simply take him outside, reward him when he eliminates in the correct place, and little by little he will get accustomed to what you want.

Grooming

Because the cleaning of the ears and eyes is very important, you can give little treats of meat or cheese when he accepts when you do so, making the task much easier.

To learn basic commands, such as the following:  sit, down, stay, stand, come, etc., you can also give the dog treats.  You can also tell him he´s good and play with him a little, too.  With this I want to demonstrate an important aspect of training:  for the hard things to learn, use a “super” high value reward, and for the easier things, use a lower value reward. 

Clicker Training and Rewards

Naturally I understand that not all breeders and other persons believe in giving rewards to a dog (it isn´t always necessary), but for those interested, we have some tips that can help you raise your puppy.

One must know that it is useless to train tricks to a Boerboel, for example, “give paw”, spins, etc.  It is inadequate and ridiculous!  If you want to train your dog to do tricks I suggest that you choose a different breed:  a poodle, a Chihuahua, or those that like to do these things.

The Training

The clicker is a perfect tool to use to help teach commands to many animals: dolphins, whales, horses and now dogs. 

If you use your voice to mark an event such as a correct behaviour, it carries emotion (for example, if you are angry, happy or sad) and this can negatively affect the dog.

But a clicker has no emotions.

For example, a tip:

To start off, call your dog, and if he responds by looking at you, click and follow the click by a treat.  Try to give the treat to the dog in under 3 seconds so that the dog makes the correct association of the reward to the act.  Repeat this exercise ten repetitions in each early training session.  After a short time the dog will truly respond to having his name called.

This training is also very useful to teach other cues such as “sit”, “down”, “stay”, “come”, “stand”, etc. 

Once trained, and the dog responds to a cue, it is not always necessary to give a food reward as praise and games are rewards, too!

To use the clicker, click only one time per behaviour, then follow with the reward.  The clicker is an event marker and not to be used to call or command the dog.   

Types of rewards:  dog cookies, cheese, ham, games, praise and pleasant physical contact.

Tips

A Boerboel owner will have regular expenses such as the purchase of quality foodstuffs and veterinary care.  Training classes are also an expense that should be budgeted for.

It is best if your puppy can have a warm and comfortable bed, but make sure that it will be spacious enough as your puppy will grow quickly.  It is recommended that you buy a quality dog bed  that is both washable and durable (Boerboels like to scratch at their bed before lying down and getting comfortable). 

When your puppy is a little older it is recommended that when you purchase a collar and lead that they be well-made and solid.

Walking

In some European countries it is obligatory that the dog be muzzled (France) and be castrated.  In Spain, the lead must not exceed 2m in length, the dog must wear a muzzle, and the owner or handler must carry with him at all times when out with the dog the health book, EEC passport, owner´s psychological certificate, and the RAIA identity card.  Also, you must carry bags for picking up the animal´s faeces.

*¡Only own a dominant dog if you have experience with Boerboels or large dogs!

(It could be nightmarish otherwise.)

*¡Remain calm and patient during the animal´s training!

(He´s your best friend.)

*¡Puppies urinate a lot!

(Is it raining in the house?)

*¡Puppies can be destructive!

(Or was it the children that did it?)

*¿Do you want to go on holidays?

(Ah, but we have a dog now!)

*Do you want to save up to buy a car?

(A Boerboel is expensive to purchase, plus there is the upkeep.)

Health

The Boerboel is a dog that needs little care: wash him a maximum of once a year, brush him once a week (only what is necessary to remove the old hairs).  His coat needs little care and from time to time you can pass over him with a damp cloth.

If you want to wash him use an oily soap so as not to dry out his coat by removing the natural oils (dogs have oils in their coats to help protect them from parasites, etc.).

It is best to go regularly to the veterinarian with your puppy to make sure that he develops no sickness nor problems, and that he becomes accustomed to being examined. 

It is important that he receives all of the necessary vaccinations!

The Boerboel, like many large dogs, can suffer from hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia – this is a developmental malformation of the hip ball and socket joint that results in a poor fit.  This leads to painful rubbing, inflammation of the periarticular structures, altered gait, and ultimately arthritis.  This is a painful condition that can require surgical intervention or in the worst case, euthanasia.

Elbow dysplasia - elbow displacement (the same as above but affecting the elbow instead of the hip).

Vaginal prolapse – a condition in females in which the mucosal lining of the vagina can protrude outwards.

Entropion is the inversion of the eyelid margin, which can cause a secondary condition in which the hairs of the eyelids (eyelashes) are misdirected, causing inflammation.   

Ectropion is the eversion of the eyelid margin, causing a sagging effect in which the lower lid hangs away from the ocular globe. 

Feeding

It is preferable to give your Boerboel a balanced diet and adopt it to the stages of development:  puppy, adolescence, adult and those for senior dogs.

The puppy should learn that you are the one who feeds him and that you can take his food away from him without him growling at you.  A little trick:  remove the food (or other object) and immediately give your puppy a treat, so that he learns that when you take food away from him he gets a treat.  When he is an adult you can then safely take food away from him.

Holidays

If you are planning to go on a holiday with your dog, it is recommended that you obtain as much information as possible beforehand about the requirements of the countries that you plan to visit or pass through.  Take all of your dog´s documents with you such as passport, vaccination and medication records, etc.  Before you leave on your travels, search for a pet-friendly hotel that allows dogs so that you don´t find any surprises when you arrive.  Many establishments in Spain do not allow dogs, and this is indicated with a sign that reads:  “¡PERROS NO!”   Taking a dog on holidays can limit your travel and accommodation possibilities. 

If you decide not to take your dog with you, think of having him stay with family or friends as the dog may find it easier being with familiar persons rather than at a boarding facility.  If you do choose to board, inform yourself ahead of time with regard to prices, health care, etc., and pay a formal visit to the facility with your dog.  A month before your travels, accustom your dog to being separated from you. 

Plan ahead, and enjoy yourself with or without your dog.