We love our boxers; they are often an extension, an addition or sometimes a substitution for human children. No matter how they reside in our households, we face the same challenges with them as we do raising children.

Toilet training, learning what the word "no" means, allowing them to develop their own personalities and not allowing them to become to aggressive or afraid, are all parts of raising children and puppies. We expect them to live within the boundaries of our world under our rules. Yet we also want them to explore the world around them, learn to make some decisions for themselves and achieve their own potentials. Fine-tuning our children and our dogs is never easy.

Our human children learn quickly that they can voice their "opinions" of our counsel. Our boxers do not speak. Or can they?

Over the years of living with our breed I have observed time and time again their abilities to communicate their desires and their displeasures. I often joke about my current head of the boxer pack, Sadie, for "carrying a grudge" when I reprimand her for an offense of the rules. Actually, it's not far from the truth. She has taught me that her interpretation of the rule is entirely different from mine. For example, she love's to get in the trash. To me, getting in the trash is not to be tolerated; it is unsafe, unhealthy and disgusting! To Sadie it's a party, a party I will not allow her to attend.

The human child is told he cannot do. He verbally continues to insist he should be allowed to do until he is finally scolded (sometimes to tears) for being so insistent. He sulks he pouts. The boxer sulks and the boxer pouts but they also plot! Unlike their human sibling they frequently get even! Their attempts at retaliation are more subtle and definitely deliberate. A shoe chewed just enough may be the object of revenge, a pair of panty hose shredded or a favorite house plant may be abused. These acts I firmly believe are methodically thought out by the canine "child."

The intelligence of the dog is often questioned by experts. My own experiences demonstrate they often exceed the logical abilities of their human siblings. The human child throws a temper tantrum to express himself knowing his behavior will not work out in his favor. Our boxer's expression of displeasure is done at a lower volume, quiet but much more effective.

Children misbehave and then deny the act. Boxers cannot deny their misbehavior and often are caught in the act. Initially our anger is aroused and we find the misbehavior unacceptable. Their comical reaction to being caught in the act, however, makes it difficult to hold back a smile once that first shock wears off. Even though we are frustrated we learn to develop a new approach to the problem stimulated by the wag of a tail, an impish look and our revitalized sense of humor.

I have concluded that display of humor is actually what the boxer wants. They covet our smiles and even when they are being "bad" they are doing their best work with our hearts, both physically and emotionally.

There are behavior experts galore these days willing to give us advice on anything from raising kids and dogs to learning to cope with our mates, parents or co-workers. To deal with the mind of a boxer often takes far more cunning than you will find written in a book. I'm sure there are many of you who will agree.

Our boxers know exactly what notes to strike to keep their song playing and our minds keeping time with the tune. I have discovered through this process it is always easier to deal out discipline with a sense of humor. My boxers have taught me it works well for both the humans and the dogs in my life. Maybe we should try to get our boxers to compose a "how to" book on raising humans. Their expertise is unequaled!

The next time you become frustrated with your boxer(s) for digging another hole in the yard, shredding the newspaper all over the living room in a fit of fun or bringing the laundry to your attention piece by piece, accept the experience in the way it is offered. They are simply attempting to teach us what we need to know, to roll with the punches life delivers and to face them with a smile. Life is too short to take everything in our lives so seriously. This is another lesson laced with both humor and love taught by the true master of the house, the teacher's pet!