I use tennis balls with both my dogs but in different ways . Millie just likes to carry hers, a sort of comfort blanket , I used it in the early days to distract her from her previous bad habit of running to other dogs all the time , its been a sanity saver for me I use a ball for Sam in a totally different way , for retrieving , but never thrown high for him to catch, mainly in rough cover as he adores hunting . Its all about striking a balance , I think .
Maisie would retrieve until she can't breathe if she was allowed . I use a ball chucker as my throwing ability is dreadful but I make sure that the ball lands in long grass or undergrowth so she slows down and doesn't put her brakes on to stop. Hunting/scenting for the ball is great fun and wears her out far more that just lobbing a ball again and again.
Juno loves to play fetch with balls or a Frisbee or her Kong Safestix and I allow her some of this style of play despite her having ED; she has to wait until the ball or whatever has landed before she can go for it, is not allowed to jump or twist. I am aware of the advice from my orthopaedic surgeon on fetch type games but am also aware that I have a young dog who also needs to run and have fun so I work on a "in moderation" policy. She also loves running and playing with doggy friends and doing zoomies which with the speed and cornering probably isn't good for her joints either . She also loves tug games which she wasn't allowed for a long time after her operation. At the end of the day we all have to make decisions for our dogs based upon information available and to try and keep them safe, healthy and happy
Thank you all, I really have the information and guidance that I was asking for. I definitely need to work on Dexter's ball obsession, not kill it but teach him more control within himself. I definitely want him to have fun and I'm grateful that this person took the time to film Dexter and show me what he was explaining and what his belief is. I was doing both, sometimes working on steadying him, other times letting him just go for it. I'm now stepping back to steadying and working on a strong release command to go to the ball and also to give it back to me when asked to do so. I will reintroduce the chucker or just throwing the ball once he is rock solid with this and only when the ball being thrown out of sight. That way I feel I can get a happy and as safe as possible fun game with him. I'm not saying he's not having fun at the moment with the training I'm doing as he is. I want his games to be more interactive with me or my OH or family and friends. I'll take the chucker at times when it's not going to be used as @JulieT mentioned to me in another post so that he gets to know that it is not his only means to a great time. Again thank you, I truly value the great advice I've been given. Owner/mum also in training
I love doing memory retrieves - leave a ball on the path and then run with your dog further along the path - turn and send (can do this with steady sending if you're gundog training - or a fun " get it") - doesn't require as much steadiness as a wait for the ball to land - doesn't require any accurate throwing on my part - Challenge the dog as to how far back they can run - only one more controlled turn each time.
