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.

I had the same issue with my dog but continued throwing until he was exhausted! He never asked for more then. When he was young, up until about 3 years old, it was at least 200 throws each day. However, he is a Jack Russell and was a house dog so had boundless energy bottle up each day. Now, he is 7 and about 20 throws is the limit. He has so much lost interest in it that he gets distracted. To keep him on track, I make him come to me, put his leash on, and lead him back to the ball to "put your toys away" -- he has learned that, if he drops the ball to do something else, he has to go back to it and retrieve it to me. Like Inked Barbie above, I believe your dog needs a job. He has found that this is something that gets attention, praise and fun. I don't have any real suggestions other than to maybe Tell him "last throw" -- that's what I did and my dog understood that the game was over after one more throw. It took about 20 times to teach him that but he remembers it and didn't stress over it after that. Saved my arm and reduced the game as he got older. With labs and sporting-type dogs, I do think they need something to occupy their built-in need to work. I would research that particular dog's traits and try to come up with something s/he can play at when not playing tennis ball! My sister's blue healer, totally blind, has the job of patrolling their property line and woe to any child that comes near the line -- she herds them right back to the back door! She stays perfectly happy, though, as her duty is done each day.
Good luck!

[wishbone]

That behavior is pretty normal, they have something that will surely entertain them and make happy and comfortable with it.

this is my dog... lol



he get's lots of attention but he he loves his tennis balls, we just let him play. He never barks at us, he always accepts a firm "go lay down" or "stop". He's the best puppy

[Kingsbridge Cav]

Some dogs respond to a toy in a similar way as others respond to a food treat. use the ball as a positive reward for appropriate behavior and you need to be the one in charge of when he/she gets the ball. Simply changing toys will only change the obsession.
The flyball idea is a great one. you may otherwise consider agility training and give your dog a job. The flyball is a lot cheaper as there is less equipment, but you may find an agility group that meets in your area. Check with breed clubs or search for flyball or agility clubs in your area on the internet.
Once again remember that the toy is the reward for good behavior and you get to decide if the behavior is acceptable!
Good luck!

Canniiee,

I like the picture of your dog with mouthful tennis ball.. It tells us how much your dog loves tennis ball...

I have Corgi and she loves ball too but we use squeaky ball and she goes nuts. I usually let her sit nicely and be quiet and,I throw a ball and when she brings it back,drop it,sit and quiet,I throw again. She gets very ready to go after the bal with butt-wagging and I like playing with her.She also likes Frisbee. Just seeing Frisbee makes her go crazy.

Like Kingsbridge Cav suggested,I think you are the one to decide when to start or stop and, agility,flyball maybe good one to try.I got wea pole set for my dog to try and,she can go through with cue "wea" but, she needs guide line Otherwise,she goes wonder around,lol. But it is fun.

Hide and seek also nice one to play with reward of ball play.

[DoggieVogue]

that is an adorable picture!
My friend has a rat terrier who is addicted to tennis balls to an unhealthy level. We call it "obsessive compulsive ball disorder" jokingly but she will just sit and stare at the tennis ball if it is in sight until she starts shaking and she will push the ball into your foot and bounce it off so she can chase it. She never gives up. It causes her extreme stress and anxiety. I think she has maybe calmed down some now because she is nearly blind, but it is definately unhealthy.

I have same experience.my dog, 8 year female golden retriever she always obsessed with tennis ball.if she saw a tennis ball, her eyes likes want to eat that tennis ball. i'm like play with her

[dogluvver37]

Im sorry but the best thing i can think of is to put all the tennis balls in a place where she doesnt know. Maybe the attic, garage, shed, somewhere. Then each day, give her a few different toy. One day give her one of those tug toys, a kong, and make a little squeak toy. Continue the pattern each day with different toys. Then go to the park and try to make her fetch 1 that isnt a tennis ball (dont even bring tennis balls with you). See if she fetches it. Try throwing different toys. Then 1 day, bring the lovely tennis balls back into the dogs life and see if shes still obsessed with it.

Sorry if this doesn't work. I dont know of any dogs that have this obsession.

Originally Posted by Canniiee

this is my dog... lol


he get's lots of attention but he he loves his tennis balls, we just let him play. He never barks at us, he always accepts a firm "go lay down" or "stop". He's the best puppy

I love this picture!! He looks so adorable. It makes me want to have a dog like him!!

[sklandis]

I am glad to read this before mine gets too obsessed because from what I have seen it could happen very easily! We have only had her for about 3 weeks but already is just mad about the tennis balls. I guess I will limit them? Hmmmmm, this has all given me a lot to think about. Thanks!