Anyone got a Boxer?

[DessieLou]

I have a beautiful (spoilt!) white girl called Sasha. She has an amazing personality but has started running off when off the lead (smelling deer, I think) and is completely cloth eared when there is something more exciting going on across the field. How can I make her pay more attention when we're out?

Hi, we have a 9 year old boxer girl who is the mamma of our family. She considers the 4 kids to be her puppies and firmly believes she has raised them. I imagine Sasha must be quite young to have so much bounce - boxers have a very long puppyhood, about 2 years and are full of mischief and fun, but they do eventually settle into very calm lazy dogs.

I guess you need to work on her recall (using food rewards - boxers LOVE to eat) as it is so important she listens, make it lots of fun with cuddles and over the top love. Practice where you know there will be no scent to send her astray.

Remember also that boxers can be incredibly stubborn, and it's important at a young age to lovingly but firmly make your boxer aware you are the boss.

We have being so blessed to have our old girl in our lives. She had a mast cell tumor removed this time last year - and I am so delighted we still have her here plodding round the house. She is now so docile and predictable - it is hard to imagine the lunatic she once was, eating and destroying the maddest of things (she had serious issues with wire, once eating my husbands wirebound diary, wirebound atlas and his glasses!) though a few days ago she did eat the homemade decoration off the christmas tree - so she does have a bit of mischief left in her still.

Best of luck with Sasha, you have chosen a lovely breed of dog :0

Thank you Oeufman! Sasha is 3 and a half, we rescued her 2 years ago. I can't imagine her ever being calm! She's not interested in treats when out (more exciting things going on!) but think I may try rewarding her with a ball or stick. She's been really good today so fingers crossed. I'll keep working on her and let you know how we get on! Thanks again.

I had a beautiful boxer girl Milliedog who sadly passed away aged 11 nearly 2 years ago. My mum says in your life time you will have 1 dog that touches you in a way no other will. Millie was this dog for me. But she was as insane! Oeufman is right they do have a long puppy hood. I am not exagerating that she did not slow down til she was about 9. She loved every minute of life and kept my spirits up whenerver life through me a s*ty one. I still miss her now. Consider yourself lucky to have such a wonderful companion to share your life with xxx

Hi Dessie, our girl was never interested in sticks and balls. I could keep her interest with a chew or pigs ear. The best reward for our girl was and is love and cuddles.

She is my constant companion. As I type she is asleep in her bed, on the floor beside my bed. She has a bed in a quite spot in every room in the house - she moves between beds as I move around the house. We adore each other, and she loves her family. I never thought she would calm down - for years she was a bundle of badly behaved fun that arrived with no off button. Then slowly without me realizing it she matured into a very stubborn sensible lady - who knows her own mind and mine aswell.

Do keep us posted on how things work out - they are not known as the clown of dogs for no reason :)