Can Boxers Jump Fences? 

boxer getting ready to jump a fence

A boxer who escapes his yard can cause a lot of problems. If your pup gets out, they could easily be lost or injured. If you’re a boxer parent or considering becoming a boxer parent, we need to talk about fences. 

What kind of fencing is safe for boxers? Can boxers jump fences? 

Thanks to their powerful build and strong legs, most boxers can jump a 6-foot fence. Boxers may be especially tempted to jump over a fence if they’re not getting enough physical or mental stimulation, if they are feeling isolated, or if they’re distracted by something outside the fence. 

If you are interested in creating a fenced-in yard area for your boxer, here is everything you need to know. 

How High Can A Boxer Jump? 

With their muscular bodies and powerful back legs, boxers are good jumpers. Depending on their size and physical health, most boxers can easily jump at least five feet into the air. Of course, some boxers may be able to jump higher but five feet is more than enough for most boxers to then climb over your standard fence. 

With this kind of clearance, it may prove difficult to keep your boxer in your yard. 

Check out this video of a boxer easily getting over a six-foot fence:

How Does A Boxer Really Get Over A Fence?

If you pay close attention to that video, you’ll notice that the boxer doesn’t just leap over the fence in a single bound.

Instead, that athletic little pup leaps around four feet into the air and then boosts themself the rest of the way but rapidly climbing the fence. We saw the same thing when we looked at how Rottweiler jump over fences and it’s not much different here.

If anything, a boxer’s long legs and leaner body is better suited to the jump and climb technique!

Why Does Your Boxer Try To Escape The Yard? 

But if it’s so easy for boxers to jump fences, why do many dogs happily hang out in their backyard?

There are several reasons your boxer may be prone to attempt to escape from the yard. 

They’re Not Getting Enough Exercise 

Boxers are active dogs and they were originally bred to hunt which means they’ve got a ton of energy. But as a boxer parent, you already knew that these pups have plenty of energy! 

Although exercise needs will vary by age and size, most adult boxers need around an hour of exercise every day. If boxers aren’t getting that, they may be tempted to stretch their legs outside of their yard. 

In order to keep your dog in your yard, make sure they’re getting adequate exercise every day. As many yards are too small for your boxer to truly be able to stretch their legs, you may need to take them outside of the yard for that exercise. Change it up: you can take them for a walk or run, play fetch, or take them to a dog park for extra socialization. 

Getting your boxer a good amount of exercise every day will help keep your pup in the yard. 

They’re Not Getting Enough Stimulation 

In addition to physical exercise, boxers also need plenty of mental stimulation. They’re intelligent dogs, so they need to be kept busy. Otherwise, your boxer may be tempted to pursue the smells, sights, and sounds from outside the yard. 

There are a few ways you can provide that mental stimulation for your pup. Engage in play with them that makes them think, such as creating an obstacle course for them or teaching them new tricks. 

With a little mental stimulation, hopefully your boxer won’t feel the need to seek that stimulation beyond the yard. 

Your Boxer Feels Isolated 

Boxers are people-oriented. They rank highly when it comes to being affectionate, good with children, and eager to please. Boxers are loyal and very dedicated to their family. 

If they are separated from their humans for too long, they may feel isolated, frustrated, or dejected, causing them to seek human or canine interaction outside the yard. 

Your Boxer Feels Anxious 

If your boxer is left alone for too long, they also might begin to feel separation anxiety. Fear or anxiety can be a driving factor in your dog feeling the need to get out of the yard. 

This anxiety can also be situation-driven. If your dog is in a new or uncomfortable place, they will be more prone to separation anxiety. 

In addition, your boxer may experience fear or anxiety due to outside factors, such as fireworks, storms, or even cars honking. They may try to escape the yard in order to escape the scary stimulus. 

To prevent this from happening, keep your yard as dog-friendly as possible and watch out for extra stimulants that may trigger fear or anxiety in your pup. 

There Are Distractions Outside Of The Yard 

Our dogs are distractible creatures. They are constantly bombarded with new sights, smells, and sounds, many of which will occur outside of your yard. 

If your dog smells something interesting or sees a small animal that they could chase, they may be tempted to jump over the fence in order to pursue that new stimulation. 

Unfortunately, the only way to really fix this issue is to block out as many of those external stimulants as possible. Invest in an opaque fence that your dog won’t be able to see out of. 

How Else Might A Boxer Get Out Of A Fenced-In Yard? 

Unfortunately, jumping over a fence isn’t the only way a boxer might get out of the yard. 

In addition to jumping, boxers are also notorious for digging. With a little determination and enough time, boxers could easily dig under the fence and out of your yard. 

Even if you install a tall fence that your boxer can’t just jump over, they may take it upon themselves to literally climb over it. With certain types of fencing, boxers can sink their paws into the fence and wiggle their way over. 

Before you invest in a fence, know your boxer. If you think they’ll try to dig out or climb over, you’ll want to be more careful about the type of fence you choose for your yard. 

Types Of Fences 

So let’s take a look at a few types of fences that you could choose as a backyard fence. 

Wood 

If your boxer is digging-prone, a wood fence may be the best option. Most wood fences are set deeply into the ground (usually about one foot), so it would be very difficult for the typical boxer to dig under it. 

Wood fences are also a good deterrent for climbers. They are fairly smooth, so there isn’t anything for your boxer to stick their claws into in order to climb over. However, that’s only true from the outside and if you’re worried about your boxer leaving your backyard then suddenly wood fences become a major liability with several spots for boxers to practice and jump and climb technique. 

Additionally, if your dog is commonly distracted by sights outside the fence, such as squirrels or a stray cat (personal favorites of my dog), wood is a good choice because it’s opaque. Your dog won’t be able to see what’s going on outside the yard. 

On its own, wood fences might not slow down most boxers so you shouldn’t count on the fence alone to keep your boxer in the yard.

Metal 

Metal fences are some of the sturdiest fences you can use. However, there are a few problems with metal fences. They come in different styles, but typically they are see-through. If your dog is easily distracted by factors outside the fence, there’s no blocking those out with a metal fence. 

Additionally, some metal fences can be dangerous. There might be sharp edges or points that your boxer could get caught on, causing injury to them. 

Overall, any type of metal fence isn’t a great choice for your boxer. 

Vinyl

Vinyl is another great choice for would-be escapees. They’re completely smooth, so your boxer won’t be able to sink their paws into the fence in order to climb over it. They’re also set fairly deeply in the ground, so it won’t be easy for your boxer to dig under it. 

Just like wood, vinyl fences will block out most visual distractions for your dog, eliminating the temptation to escape the fence in order to chase after potential prey or visit the neighbor dog. 

The only problem with vinyl is that it’s not as sturdy as a wood fence. If your boxer finds a weak spot in the fence, they may be able to push through, thanks to their sturdy, stocky build. 

If you choose a vinyl fence for your backyard option, we recommend going with a fence that’s at least six feet tall in order to discourage jumping.  

Invisible Fences 

Even though invisible fences have become popular for many dog-owners in recent years, they might not be the best choice for your boxer. 

Let’s talk about how invisible fences work. Although there are several different types of invisible fences, in general, they all work with the same premise.

Invisible fences set up an invisible “barrier” around your yard. Your dog wears a collar that’s connected to the fence. When your dog gets too close to the barrier, it will beep a warning. If they attempt to cross the barrier, the collar will deliver a small electrical shock. You can set how strong or weak that shock is. 

While invisible fences are a little easier to install than physical fences, they have some problems. 

Most dogs take a significant amount of training to get used to and understand how the fence works, and even then, it may not work for all dogs. With enough adrenaline, your boxer could brave the shock and just run through the fence. 

Not to mention, we typically want to avoid hurting our pets. Shocking them isn’t necessarily a kind thing to do, and it could lead to more aggressive behavior. 

Additionally, while the fence may keep your boxer in, it won’t protect your boxer from any outside animals. 

Overall, invisible fences aren’t the greatest option for your boxer. 

How To Keep Your Boxer Inside Your Fence 

No matter what type of fence you choose for your boxer, there’s also the potential of escape. That’s why it’s important to combine any fence with basic training in order to keep your pup happy in the yard. 

Obedience Training

Basic obedience training is a must. Although there are tons of resources out there in order for you to help train your dog at home, some dogs may need more advanced instruction from a trainer. 

Your boxer should know how to behave both inside and outside the yard. Using positive and negative reinforcement, you should be able to train your pup to stay in the yard. 

Give them Enough Physical And Mental Stimulation 

As we mentioned earlier, your boxer may be tempted to escape your yard if they’re not getting enough physical or mental stimulation. 

You can easily remedy that by providing that stimulation for them. Provide plenty of exercise (including exercise outside the yard) for your boxer, and invest in some enriching toys for them that they can play with while in the backyard. 

Use A Coyote Roller 

If your dog is commonly jumping or climbing over fences, you could choose to add a coyote roller to the top of your fence. 

Coyote rollers are rolling bars that sit on top of a fence, preventing any animal from sitting on top of or getting over the fence easily. 

While this could prevent your boxer from getting over the fence, keep in mind that this most likely won’t help if you have a shorter fence. Most boxers can clear a four-foot fence easily without ever needing to touch the top of the fence. In this case, a coyote roller won’t help. 

But if you install a coyote roller on a 6 foot fence, it should be able to not only keep boxers in but also keep other critters out of the yard too. You’re going to need some basic skills to install one of these but you can check out a budget-friendly option on Amazon by clicking here.

Making Your Yard Dog-Friendly 

Make your yard a place where your boxer wants to be! Do you have food and water for them in the backyard? Do they have shade to rest in on a hot day or a dog house to crawl into if it’s a little chilly out? Are there toys for them to play with? 

Providing for all of your boxer’s needs and as many of their wants as possible in the backyard will help encourage your pup to stay put. 

Keeping An Eye On Them 

Last but not least, keep an eye on your boxer while they’re out in the yard as much as possible. Avoid leaving them in the yard alone without supervision for long periods of time. Your dog should be able to enjoy time in the yard when you’re able to check on them occasionally. 

Closing Thoughts

There’s no perfect way to keep your boxer in the yard, so take precautions, such as having your dog wear a collar with your contact information and getting them microchipped. Beyond that, do your best to keep your dog happy and healthy and discourage any jumping behavior so that your boxer is able to safely enjoy time in the backyard. 

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