Dog tennis ball obsession - Tennis Review

Dog tennis ball obsession

How to manage a black Lab's tennis ball obsessionMy dog is a retrieving fool and has no off switch.

Once when my brother stood in the yard holding a ball, my dog did not notice a BEAR run across the yard or the fact that my parents’ dog was chasing the bear.

Oblivious.

Instead, I’ve found ways to manage his behavior around a ball, and the following are my top management tips.

I know we have a few other ball-obsessed dogs among us (Alfie, Mort …), so please share any additional tips if you have them.

How to manage a tennis-ball obsessed dog

1. Don’t get mad at your dog.

I get irritated with Ace when we visit the dog beach and he won’t socialize with the other dogs. Instead, he just runs around looking for a ball in a near panic.

My dog Ace the black Lab mix is obsessed with playing fetchI’ve learned to accept this about my dog. He will always have that drive to retrieve, and I can’t change that about him.

Instead, I look at the positives:

  • My dog will not run away as long as I have a ball
  • My dog will do just about anything for a ball, so he’s extremely easy to train

2. Don’t keep toys out all time.

I’m amazed when people tell me, “My Lab never stops bringing me his ball.”

Well, put the ball away!

I keep Ace’s toys put away, and I set rules for indoor play. Fetch is mostly saved for outside, other than a few, rare games started on my terms.

3. Have a command to signal when play, or “work, ” is done.

I use the command “That’s enough!” to tell my dog under no circumstance am I throwing that ball again. I have to say it in a stern, almost mean, voice.

This command only works because I’m serious and my dog knows it. If he’s extra wound up, such as when multiple “ball throwers” are present, sometimes I just have to take the ball away.

4. Play fetch in a structured way, with time limits.

I try to keep the hyped-up, mindless fetch throwing to a minimum. Instead, I make my dog take breaks, and I include structured rules or commands. For example, I might make Ace sit until I release him to retrieve the ball. And sometimes I have him wait while I hide the ball, followed by the command “Find it!”



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Retro Pets Gallery Retro Pets - Black Lab Art - Obsession Tennis Balls Art Print by Krista Brooks - 2 Sizes - Ready to Frame (11x14)
Home (Retro Pets Gallery)
  • TWO SIZES AVAILABLE - 8x10 art print ($20.00) or 11x14 art print ($35.00)
  • From the whimsical imagination of Retro Pets artist Krista Brooks
  • Great gift for a Labrador lover
  • Ready for framing
  • Printed on 100 lb. acid-free premium heavy stock matte paper with backing board and artists bio in a resealable cellophane sleeve
Retro Pets Gallery Retro Pets - Yellow Labrador Retriever Art - Obsession Tennis Balls - 8x10 Art Print from the Hodge Podge Hounds Series - Ready to Frame
Home (Retro Pets Gallery)
  • Charming retro-inspired work of ARF by Santa Fe artist Krista Brooks
  • 8 x 10 art print on acid-free paper (100 lb. cover stock)
  • Ready for framing
  • Great gift for animal lovers of all ages
  • Packaged with backing board and fun artists bio (pictured above) in a cellophane sleeve
Retro Pets Gallery Retro Pets - Yellow Labrador Retriever Art - Obsession Tennis Balls - 11x14 Art Print by Santa Fe artist Krista Brooks - Ready to Frame
Home (Retro Pets Gallery)
  • Charming retro-inspired work of ARF by Santa Fe artist Krista Brooks
  • 11 x 14 art print on acid-free paper (100 lb. cover stock)
  • Great gift for animal lovers and art lovers alike
  • Packaged with backing board and fun artists bio (pictured above) in a cellophane sleeve

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