Hi,

I'm new to the forum and have now had my dog for a week. I adopted her form the Richmond SPCA. She is approx. 3 years old and is a mix of pit and retriever. She has been absolutely perfect so far. No accidents, no tearing anything up when left home alone for 5 hours during the day while my girlfriend and I work. The only thing I wish I could change is her obsession with fetching tennish balls. Really any toy with that tennis ball fuzz on it. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she loves a toy that much but its a little too much. As soon as she sees one she is in another world. Her eyes don't move from it, she won't respond to anything I say, she won't even eat a treat if she knows something with that fuzz on it is in the room. The real problem is when we finish playing fetch if we let her keep the ball she will try to get us to play more fetch by barking continuously and if we take it and try to put it away she will pace throughout our house in a frenzied state whimpering and looking for the ball for at least an hour. If anyone has ever had a similar behavior with their dog and knows a good way to get her out of "fetch-only mode" I would love to hear it. Its all she wants to do and its driving us crazy.

Thanks

We are dealing with the same problem. Lexi is a 5lb yorkie , 2yrs in age. The funny thing about it is we don't recall when it began. Should we wing her off the ball or have an intervention. I would love any advice.

Remember, good Pet Parents are in charge of the game at all times.

The most common mistake Pet Parents make is interpretting panting quickly, tounge out, wagging tail as "happy". Wrong. It is actually high levels of stress, anxiety, or excitement.

Practice fetch/play time the right way. Do not provide the ball/toy to them until they are sitting or laying down in a calm submissive state.

Once they are relaxed reward them by throwing the ball / giving them the toy.

Do not ever chase after a dog once they have something. This in dog language means you are a follower, not a leader. Pick up something else WONDERFUL (i.e. Steak, Favorite Food, Favorite Toy) and walk in the other direction. You would be surprised at how quickly they will come and follow you.

Then practice, practice, practice!

Best of Luck and let me know if you need any other ideas.

I had a male chocolate lab, Who developed the same obsession with the airdog balls...which looks just like a tennis bal but has a squeeky inside!

I noticed his obsession began when he wasnt getting enough attention from us. We got another puppy and didnt have the time we once had to spend with him, His NEW mission in life became the tennis ball....

Thats all if ever thought about, He lived slept, dreamed Tennis ball. But then it wasnt just a tennis ball...Any ball would do, andything you threw would do...

I believe he was trying to fill a void inside, And since he is a working class dog...He needed a mission, and we never gave him a job!

So he made a job for himself....And when we fed into it....It thought it was what he was supposed to do.

I suggest giving new toys as a substatue, making sure the dog has plenty of exercise and attention daily!!!!!

And I suggest giving him a job, A mission other then the Tennis ball....

He doesnt know it doesnt please you since you throw it for him.....

same problem.. in my case my dog almost got chocked on that kind of ball...

[lil mutt]

my dog is not addicted to baseball balls on the contrary she seems a bit afraid of it.

My dog was very much the same when we first got her from the shelter. I think she realized that when she was playing ball she was getting attention and praise. She was very insecure so she resorted to looking for her ball constantly to get our attention. With time she calmed down, after she'd gained confidence in our house and realized that she was secure and welcome all the time.

Also, we joined her up in the sport of flyball. I don't know if you have that where you are but it is fun and teaches some good obedience. The dog has to wait its turn to get the ball. After a few classes she really caught on to this and was much more patient.

maybe if you play fetch with something other than a tennis ball or anthing like a tennis ball then your dog woudln't be so obsessed about it.

Originally Posted by Lamplighter77

Hi,

I'm glad she loves a toy that much but its a little too much. As soon as she sees one she is in another world.

My pit is the same way. She loves tennis balls!! but not to the point at which she will pace around the house lol... she does take a little cohersian to get it out of her mouth before we go inside :-D

Originally Posted by Lamplighter77

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and have now had my dog for a week. I adopted her form the Richmond SPCA. She is approx. 3 years old and is a mix of pit and retriever. She has been absolutely perfect so far. No accidents, no tearing anything up when left home alone for 5 hours during the day while my girlfriend and I work. The only thing I wish I could change is her obsession with fetching tennish balls. Really any toy with that tennis ball fuzz on it. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she loves a toy that much but its a little too much. As soon as she sees one she is in another world. Her eyes don't move from it, she won't respond to anything I say, she won't even eat a treat if she knows something with that fuzz on it is in the room. The real problem is when we finish playing fetch if we let her keep the ball she will try to get us to play more fetch by barking continuously and if we take it and try to put it away she will pace throughout our house in a frenzied state whimpering and looking for the ball for at least an hour. If anyone has ever had a similar behavior with their dog and knows a good way to get her out of "fetch-only mode" I would love to hear it. Its all she wants to do and its driving us crazy.

Thanks

I have a border collie who was the same, the best way to solve this (in my opinion) is take the ball make the dog sit put the lead on and walk off the park. If the dog barks say no if the dog continues say agin only more firmly no. It may take a little time but you will get there if you are consistant.