Activities For Australian Boxherds
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Introduction
If you are the owner of an Australian Boxherd then you are surely well aware of the excessive amount of energy this breed can have. These dogs are energetic, very playful and almost always happy - aren't they such a great dog to own! Make sure you let your Australian Boxherd know how very special they are by taking time to play games with them and set up activities designed especially with them in mind. These games and activities are the perfect place to begin!
Search and Rescue
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Any Day
Moderate
Hard
2 hrs
Items needed
Various Scents
Training Courses
Treats
Activity description
Australian Boxherds have made a name for themselves by being extremely good at search and rescue. Australian Shepherds (one of the parent breeds of the Australian Boxherd) were originally used on search and rescue teams and excelled thanks to their powerful noses and high intelligence. These traits have carried over to the Australian Boxherd and you will now find many of these pups on search teams. Now, don’t think that putting an Australian Boxherd to work is difficult for them. In fact, they absolutely love it! Giving a dog a job where they are challenged and given a purpose will help them stay happy.
Step
1
Classes for training
To become a search and rescue dog, both your pup and you will need to go through extensive training. Begin by finding a local search and rescue training center nearby. Police forces and fire departments are the best places to start inquiring about classes for you and your Australian Boxherd. You can also look online for a search and rescue training club nearby.
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Specialty
There are many types of search and rescue dogs and through training classes, you will discover which area your dog excels in. For example, an air scent dog will be able to track the scent of a person through the air while an avalanche dog will be trained to detect a human up to fifteen feet under the snow. Your dog's specialty will alter their training and what you will need to work on with them (following a scent trail versus uncovering smells that are buried).
Step
3
Certification
Training for search and rescue will be a lengthy process that you will need to work on in classes as well as at home. This training will take between one and two years. Your dog will also need to be certified every few years by retaking courses and passing certification tests. It may seem like a lot of work but once you and your Australian Boxherd are certified, you will be able to participate in meaningful search and rescue missions.
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Treibball
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Exercise Balls
Treats
Goal
Activity description
Australian Shepherds are fantastic herding dogs. In fact, they have been used on farms and fields for hundreds of years, herding livestock to and from fields. Thanks to years and years of being trained to herd, your Australian Boxherd will love playing any game that will allow them to herd. You will be surprised how naturally they pick up the game! Treibball is also a great way to get some of your dog's excess energy out. They will be able to run around a big field, chasing and herding balls and learning commands from you, all things that they were born to do!
Step
1
Equipment
Grab some treibball equipment from a local pet store or online or, look for a treibball club in your area. Many dog training centers will have treibball equipment as it is quite a popular game. You can also simply buy eight large exercise balls and a large goal and you will be all set.
Step
2
Set up
Set your treibball course up on a large, flat field. Place the goal at one end and the eight balls around the field. The idea of the game is for your Australian Boxherd to push the balls into the goal by following your commands. This simulates herding as your dog will have to get the objects from around the field into one neat area just as if they were moving farm animals from one spot to another.
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3
Play ball
Train your dog to push the ball left when you say “left” and right when you say “right”. Forward and backward are also good commands to learn as you help your dog move the ball across the field. Use plenty of rewards and praise to help your dog learn and they will be herding balls into a goal in no time!
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Mouth Games
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
20 min
Items needed
Puzzle Toys
Peanut Butter or Cheese
Kong
Rubber Bone
Chicken Broth
Treats
Bowl
Activity description
Boxers are known to have an affinity for any toys that can go in their mouth. They like to chew and gnaw at things as it is satisfying and pleasurable in addition to just being pure fun! While there are plenty you can give to your Australian Boxherd that they will like to chew on (as this Boxer trait carries over to many of this breed as well), you may as well give your pup a toy to play with that will also get out some energy or have another dual purpose for your dog other than simply chewing. Giving your dog an approved toy to play with in their mouth will also prevent them from chewing on something you may not want them to like shoes or furniture!
Step
1
Popsicle
When the weather is hot outside, make your dog a Popsicle with a surprise inside. Take some plain chicken broth and pour it into a bowl. Then, put a chewy rubber bone in the center. Freeze the broth until it is solid and then flip out the frozen broth cube with the bone stuck inside. Give the treat to your dog outside where they can lick away at the nice cold broth until they get to the bone prize inside!
Step
2
Puzzle toy
Grab your dog a treat puzzle for them to tackle on a day when you will not be home with them. Your dog will have to figure out how to open the compartments of the puzzle in order to get to the treats that are hiding inside. Once your dog gets really good at one puzzle, get them the next level puzzle for a harder challenge
Step
3
Kongs
Invest in a Kong toy, a hard rubber toy that looks like a rubber cone with a hollow center. Fill the Kong with peanut butter, treats or even melted cheese (you can place the cheese inside and then microwave the whole toy to melt it (just don’t give it to your pup hot!) to keep your dog busy. They will have to toss the Kong around in order to get the treats out or sit for a long period licking away to make sure they get every drop of peanut butter from inside.
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More Fun Ideas...
Agility Course
Australian Boxherds have a whole lot of energy and also are very smart pups. Train them to run agility courses which will keep their minds busy as well as tire them out!
Soccer
Soccer is a fun game to train your pup to play and will tap into their natural herding instinct. Play with your dog as you both try to be in control of the soccer ball and race toward the goal!
Conclusion
Australian Boxherds are great dogs for people who love to be active and play energetic games with their dog. This breed certainly needs a lot of exercise but they will always have a smile on their face when they are able to get out there and run! Of course, you should always make sure you are also challenging your Australian Boxherd's doggy brain as this smart pup needs just as much mental stimulation as physical activity. Sounds exhausting but a smart, happy, playful pup is something that everyone should want!