Why Don't Boxer's Fetch?

[Clia's_Dad]

Clia loves her toys, especially the bright orange street hockey balls I got for her.

She will not fetch and bring them back unless we are on dirt. Picking up the ball from grass and bringing it back seem to be too much trouble.

But on dirt, she chases it down, kicks it around, the comes back, but instead of giving it to me, she lays down, and drops it between her front legs.

I have to steal it from her, but she is ready to chase it again. Obviously Clia knows how to play the game but I don't know the rules!

Today, it was a windy, blustery day, and after about 30 minutes of playing, she took the ball and ran across to the far side of the baseball infield and sat there. If I went over and took the ball and threw it, she'd go to the other side, again. Finally, I started walking to the car, and she charged ahead of me and sat by the rear (her) door. I guess it was too cold and was time to go! Maybe she needs a sweater!

Perhaps when we get Joe, he can teach me. By the way, we are in the process of adopting from Northeastern Boxer Rescue. If we get a boy, we are naming him Joe. My 15 year old daughter thinks "Joe Boxer" is just too cool!

 

[Nikki's Mom]

We have had four boxer and all of the prefer the "come and get it from me" game, as opposed to the "fetch and bring it back" game. I guess that is one of the things that make the so special and unique!! :D

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Jennifer,
Nikita (Nikki) - White female born 8/1/93
www.nikita_boxer.homestead.com/nikki.html

 

[LPratt]

Angus is awesome at the fetch game!! He brings his ball or frisbee back and all I say is "Release" and he drops them on the ground.

I will not buy into that come chase me game, if he doesn't want to give me the ball,I won't chase him and he gives up and brings it to me. Angus also decides to leave his toys if he is tired, and if I have to go pick them up, he won't get them back that day....

Now when he is tired, I say, "Go get your ball" and he turns around and gets it...it is so funny, it is like he knows the fun is over if he doesn't play by the rules!

Leezah & Angus

 

[Billysmum]

Billy likes to play fetch. he brings it (frisbee or ball) back and drops it at my feet. but when I go to pick it up, he grabs it and moves away a little and drops it again. He really want us to throw it for him, but doesn't actually want to give it to us - strange dog.

 

[Amy Lyn]

Wagner loves to fetch, but it was something that we taught him as opposed to a natural desire.

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* * * * *
Amy Lyn
Wagner (Fawn, black mask) b: 04/25/00
Clark (Fawn, black mask) b: 03-11-99 (Rainbow Bridge 05-06-00)

 

[BoxerLuv]

Sydney will play fetch but only inside and with her squeeky toys. Even then the princess has to be in the mood.If we are outside she will chase the ball, stop at it, and then leave it and then race all around the backyard without it. I guess in the long run it is a little more interesting than if she just went and got it and came back. How boring...

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Maggie loves fetch. We play in the house (down a long hallway) and outside. She's excellent about bringing it back. But we have to play a little tug of war before she'll give it up. When I finally say: "let me throw it," she lets go of it (frisbee or ball).

Outside is fine if there are no other dogs around. Her favorite fetch game with other dogs is for daddy to throw it, she runs after it and lets the other dog get it and then she chases the other dog around and around in circles around daddy. She's so weird.

Keep after it. I started in the house with rolling the ball down the hall. Naturally she'd run after it, and as soon as I saw she had it in her mouth, I'd say "come," and she'd bring it with her. I used her already learned "leave it" command and she'll drop it immediately if I say leave it. But since it is play (leave it is for eating stuff outside off the street, yuk), I use the "let me throw it" after our tug of war. She knows what it means.

And they say Boxers are dumb?


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Dan from Brooklyn
Proud Pappa to Maggie Mae
Born 6/16/00
Flashy Fawn, docked tail, natural ears.
Pictures: http://www.d-batt.com/Maggie.html

 

[Gabi]

Yes, Amy loves to play fetch. We also play at home down the hall way. Outside in the park or on the beach she will fetch also. (So funny, sometimes she tries to snatch the ball - just as we try to pick it up) However, because it is much further to run outside, she will quite often just sit down and not bring the ball back. She has to recovers herself 'catch a breath' and she later continues. Sometimes she hides the ball in the grass and then she just wanders off when she wants to sniff around and chew on the grass quietly. We also always take a bottle of water with us for her. Best Regards

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Gabi
Amy/01.01.97/tan,black mask/spayed/natural ears

 

[Lisa M]

Do you know what is funny in our house? Sumi won't fetch, but Casper does. Sometimes when you throw one toy he'll come back with a different one though until he's "fetched" them all. Then it's time to chew on Sumi's ears again.

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mama to:
-Sumi, lab mix "pound puppy"
-Casper, white boxer rescued from the Dade County Animal shelter

 

[Cindy and Lacie.]

Lacie prefers to play keep away. I asked her today why she likes this better than fetch and she said " hey mom your always complaining that you need to lose weight so I just thought I would help you exercise.

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Cindy Corl
Lacie female, brindle, natural ears,7-17-99