Hello All..I'm here again with my 'Boxer' questions!
As some of you may know I am trying to decide between a boxer and German shepherd dog to add to our family(me,hubby,toddler and 2 cats)
I am the primary walker and we live in the countryside. I've loved boxers from childhood(its the mushy faces and playful demeanor!) but what i would like to know is, is your boxers recall good? even given distractions of other dogs/childrens/animals etc. Can you rely on them to come back when called?. Also are they up for a good game of fetch frizbee or ball or more likely to run off at the first distraction for something more 'interesting' to do?.
All replies gratefully recieved thankyou! :clap2:
No dog or breed of dog is innately good at coming back when they are called, especially around distractions, it requires training no matter what breed you get. Both boxers and GSDs are very intelligent dogs and are very trainable, so it depends on how much work you are willing to put into training. My boxer doesn't play fetch, but I know many others who love it. Depends on the dog, not on the breed.
Mr. Hank is pretty good at fetch. When there is a ball or stick involved, he is not usually ever distracted by other things.
He loves to fetch the balls or sticks and come running back with them. But, sometimes then he wants to prance around me and not give the ball or stick back, as he thinks it is a game, or we play tug of war a bit with it. Then he gives it back. With tennis balls, for whatever reason, he tends to immediately come back and drop the ball, ready to have it thrown again. He is so cute, when he crouches down in his "ready" stance, waiting for the ball to be thrown.
Found the Chuck it soccer balls, small size, are the best. Good ole tennis balls also. And of course a good sturdy stick, which are always very plentiful in my yard.
I usually play fetch with Mr. Hank about two 10-20 minutes every day. Usually around 10-15 minutes in the morning, and usually in the evening as well. I find it easy to do, if I have to make any phone calls, especially if talking to friends or family. Play fetch with him while I am talking on the phone. Mr. Hank loves it!
Now, as for a general recall? If he is out running around and distracted? I would say Mr. Hank comes back 80% of the time when recalled. Working on the other 20%.
Why he has a shock collar/wireless device or I keep him on a leash if out in public or walking a trail in a park.
But, for the most part he is 10x better on the recall than he was several months ago. He knows what he is suppose to do.
That is a great picture of your dogs! lol. The boxer looks like he is really trying the patience of your German Shepherd! So funny,thanks for replying. Tina
Boxers are kind of like many women - very smart, thus they are stubborn and do not listen.
Morale of the story - if you want a good dog or a good wife that will listen to you and obey you, get a dumb one. :chair::chair::clap::clap::drunk::devil::cheers:
I would run our first Boxer off leash in a secluded state park. Sixty percent of the time he'd hide behind trees, and run away when I got close. This game could last for a good 1/2 hour, and really made me mad. With the second we worked on recalls from the very start. He did take off after a deer, and didn't come back for 15 minutes. We do recalls in the back yard which is gated in. I don't trust either of them. Maybe it is high prey drive, or they just want to screw around with us.
Two had no interest at all in chasing a ball. The GSD may work out better, and the breeder should find you a puppy that has the traits you want. The GSD started as a herding dog.
Every dog needs to be trained to recall. But I think the "basis" of your question may have been something you heard in reference to "Husky's/Malamutes?? It can be done with those guys but they are "notorious" for being difficult to recall.
With Boxer's you only have to get past the "are you serious phase??" Especially with girls. The girls tend to be a bit more independent.
The boy's are like how can I make you happy and the girls are more like how can "you" make me "me" happy??
You would keep a long line on "any" dog until you have established a solid recall.
I always train a Down/Stay first as a safety! A dog has to process a recall ...stop what I am doing, turn around and return??
"Stay" is a lot quicker to process! And Down keeps them there!
Surprisingly, Zoe (22 months) has an excellent recall outside when in the yard, I've not tried outsiide the yard with her, inside the house depends of whether shes looking for something to get into. At 5 1/2 Max's recall is still kind of dependent on whether he's busy barking outside, or hears noises outside - he's always been this way. Inside he's pretty good unless he's bedded down for the night.
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