Activities For Box Heelers
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Introduction
A sturdy, agile and very energetic breed, Box Heelers make wonderful pets. If you already own a Box Heeler then you may well know that they thrive when kept busy. That means that as the owner of a Box Heeler, you need to come up with lots of things for your pup to do. But what does this hybrid mix between the Boxer and Blue Heeler like? What really makes them happy? This guide will answer all of those questions and more by providing you with games specifically chosen with your Box Heeler in mind.
Herd the Humans
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Any Day
Free
Hard
1 hr
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
Blue Heelers (also known as Australian Cattle Dogs) are one of the breeds that a Box Heeler originated from. These pups were bred and trained to herd sheep and they were used to do this for centuries. Training like that doesn’t just go away, it is in their blood forever! That means your Box Heeler will also love to partake in herding activities. However, if you are lacking a flock of sheep, you may wonder where to begin. Well, you don’t need sheep to tap into your Box Heelers herding instinct! In fact, all you need are a few good friends…
Step
1
Find friends
Get a few friends together to help you and your Box Heeler play “Herd the Humans”. You can play this game inside or outside, just have a starting point and an end goal. Have your friends all stand together at the starting point and get your pup ready to play (grabbing a few treats is a great idea!).
Step
2
Nudge forward
Walk with your dog to your first friend, get behind them and give them a little push toward the goal. Have your pup nudge the person a little with their nose as well and then give them a reward. Go to the next person and do the same, inching the group toward the goal all the while rewarding your dog with little treats.
Step
3
Goal!
Once everyone is at the goal line, celebrate with your pup and give them a larger reward. Then, have everyone go back to the starting line and try again. Once your pup is able to push everyone forward, herding them in the right direction, the fun will never end! Have one of your friends go off in a different direction to make it more of a challenge for your pup or add more people to the game. Herding the humans is perfect for Box Heelers.
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Who's the Boss
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
20 min
Items needed
Treats
Food
Collar
Leash
Activity description
Box Heelers are part Boxer dog which means that they can be stubborn and dominant while also being very smart. This can be a tricky combination of attributes as you want to make sure your pup is in your control at all times and not just wandering off, acting on their own accord. When your Box Heeler is still young, it is a very good idea to train them well and make sure that they know you are the owner and the boss, while they are the loyal pup. This training can be great fun so make a game of it and enjoy knowing that these activities will help your dog be in your control for the rest of their lives.
Step
1
Food control
Controlling your dog's food is the perfect way to show your Box Heeler that you are in charge. Have your dog sit and stay while you put down their bowl of food. If they get up before you say it is okay, take the food away. Have them sit and stay again. You should be able to put your dog's food bowl on the ground, stand up and walk away without your pup moving an inch. They only get their food when they listen to the boss!
Step
2
Walks
When out for walks with your Box Heeler, try not to let them pull the leash forward. Instead, hold the leash short and by your side so that you are walking in step with your Box Heeler. When you walk as a pack rather than with your dog as the leader, they are more likely to follow your commands.
Step
3
Tug? Maybe?
Games like tug are quite controversial when it comes to dominant dogs. While some believe it is perfectly okay to play tug, others feel that the rope acts as an extension of your arm, allowing your dog (in theory) to pull and bit at you. If your dog is very dominant, this may be a game you try to avoid but if you must play, always make sure you win!
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Stay Active
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Treats
Leash
Collar
Activity description
While the Boxer side of your Box Heeler requires just a moderate amount of exercise (one or two walks a day will do), the Blue Heeler side needs a little more. This means that your Box Heeler would benefit from a little more than just a walk around the block. Box Heelers like to run and when they don’t get the chance, they can be destructive or depressed. So if you are the proud owner of a Box Heeler, it is your main job to make sure your pup is getting out all that extra energy! These games will help.
Step
1
Dog park
Bring your Box Heeler to a local dog park where they can run, explore and play with other pup friends. The constantly changing smells and faces at the dog park will keep it exciting and new for your Box Heeler, even if you have been there a hundred times before!
Step
2
Running
If you are an avid runner, consider bringing your Box Heeler on a run with you. While this breed does have a lot of energy, always remember to let your pup set the pace and don’t pull them too fast. Start off with shorter, quick runs and work up to a mile or two with your pup.
Step
3
Obedience class
Consider enrolling your Box Heeler in obedience classes near you. Not only are classes great for training your pup but they are also an exhilarating outing for your dog. Your Box Heeler will learn to behave, get to interact with other humans and also get to play with other dog friends - sounds ideal!
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More Fun Ideas...
Treibball
Treibball is a great game for dogs who love to herd and who have a lot of energy - your Box Heeler fits both of these requirements! Find a local treibball club near you or set up a course in your backyard for your dog.
Stock Dog Trial
If you feel that your Box Heeler would enjoy actually herding sheep, you may be able to find a stock dog trail or sheepdog trail near you where pups herd flocks of sheep in a timed competition.
Conclusion
Box Heelers are energetic, happy dogs who love to stay busy and be given a job. As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do with your Box Heeler that you can both enjoy. So are you going to go out and bring your pup to a local dog park? Or maybe you’re going to teach them how to herd your friends. Perhaps you are just going to start slow with some necessary obedience training. Whatever your choose first, you and your Box Heeler will have fun!