Activities For Boxers

Playing Frisbee with your Boxer is not only fun for each of you, but it is also mentally stimulating for your pup! You might need to start out by introducing the disc to your dog. This may involve playing tug-of-war with the disc, or you may have to "scent" the disc by rubbing a hot dog on the item. Be sure to praise your dog for chasing the disc, and have a back-up disc ready to "swap out" with them when the dog brings the original disc back to you. In time, and with training, the dog will enjoy the "chase" of the Frisbee game. This is not only great physical play for your Boxer, but it taps into the innate desire to go after prey. While this activity is one strictly for the outdoors, be cautious about the time of day that you choose to play. Remember, cooler mornings and late evening (any time other than the heat of the day) is best for your Boxer. Never allow them to become overexerted, and provide water if possible.

Go Fetch is an easy game to begin training your pup. The Boxer was bred for chasing, well, anything! Left to his own devices, the Boxer will chase small animals, or he may set his sights on slightly larger prey, such as a bicycle. Teaching your Boxer to fetch a ball will be quite easy. Simply show them the ball, encourage them to go after the ball, and throw the ball. Heap praise on your Boxer when they retrieve the ball, and encourage them to run back to you with said tennis ball. You will need to train your Boxer to proffer the ball back to you. Often, this is easily accomplished with a treat, which they gladly exchange for the tennis ball. Repeat as necessary. Wean them off the treat and replace it with a repeated throw. You may want to give your Boxer a treat once you are ready to stop playing for that session.

Flyball is an excellent activity for your Boxer. Hurdles measuring up to 16 inches high (obstacles) will be set up, and a spring-loaded box will release the tennis ball. The objective is for your Boxer to chase the ball down while running and clearing the aforementioned hurdles. The hurdles are to be set up with the initial hurdle at six feet from the starting line and each remaining hurdle with ten feet apart. You will need to train your dog on how to play flyball, and, surprisingly enough, you will train him in the reverse of the actual course. Take the dog to the final hurdle within sight of another handler (it should be someone that he or she will be comfortable going to). The other handler will stand across the finish line. You will release your pup, encouraging them to go to the other handler. The dog should be rewarded at this point. Next, you will take the dog to the second-to-last hurdle and repeat the behavior. Do this until the dog has reached the hurdle closest to the starting line and successfully "jumped" it along with the other hurdles. Eventually, you will rig the box so that the ball will be released for your Boxer to chase while clearing the obstacles.