so 12 weeks in and things going ok so far, with my first dog Cooper, got lots of help and support from this site so big ups to you all. Been going to training classes for the last couple of weeks and seems Cooper is quite a friendly, playful pup not overawed in the presence of other/bigger dogs, still chews like a demon tho. Noticing he's growing out of that puppy follow you everywhere stage, in the backgarden he might chase a tennis ball but less interested in bringing it back to me, also he can be more interested in chewing on a stick than keeping tabs on where I am. Having said that my back garden may be getting boring for him, he's still good when we go on our lunchtime walkies to the local parks, staying close and returning on call. All a learning curve and wonder why I didn't get a dog earlier-altho I know the logistical reasons for that- but it does put things into perspective, and my whole weeks highlight is where/what I can do with my dog, a whole new world has opened up, and tho not easy, nothing that is so rewarding often is. My wife was initially concerned that we couldn't get away on overseas holidays for 2 weeks a year, but I pointed out that we have 52 weeks a year of Cooper, and to be fair we love St Ives our summer get away with lots of spaces for dogs which I cant wait to play in the waves with him, spent each of the last few years on the dog beach sitting,watching and playing with others dogs now finally going to be on there myself with my own dog and joining in the fun, cant wait...……….
Hi @labl0ver Interesting account. Certainly many new experiences. The rough coating on tennis balls wears down a dog's teeth. I suggest you replace with a soft but solid rubber ball.
A lovely post @labl0ver. I'll take 52 weeks a year with my dogs over any overseas holiday every time.
I have heard that for years, but have never seen any evidence of it with our 3 Labs. Perhaps because they normally catch and retrieve tennis balls, but don't chew on them much.
I have looked at the mouths of a number of border collies that regularly played flyball with tennis balls. The canine teeth are now no longer than their other teeth. And the wear is unbelievably high throughout their mouths. They now no longer use tennis balls for flyball. It seems the dogs chewed on the balls, or constantly readjusted their hold as they ran back.
For me there's no problem with tennis balls, used lightly as @Ski-Patroller suggests. They are cheap and plentiful. We have a huge variety of fetch-toys, including tennis balls, solid rubber balls, gundog dummies (canvas & plastic), rope toys, webbing toys. Our dogs are not constantly chewing down on any of them, but use them all frequently in fetch or tug games.
I agree with Michael, definitely don't use regular tennis balls with dogs if you are using them frequently or regularly. However, you can purchase special 'dog' tennis balls made from a substance which is not abrasive and they are basically identical to regular tennis balls (to you and the dog) but don't wear the teeth down... If your dog only rarely plays with tennis balls, or never chomps on them - just retrieves them without rolling them around in the mouth - then you are probably fine.
We are getting our Lab puppy next week and are already planning our Cornwall holidays on the dig beach in St Ives. We used to take our Springer there every year and the campsite at the top takes dogs. Might see you on the beach one day
