How many of you have ever seen a crazy ball dog? The one who wants you to “throw the ball,” “throw the ball,” and NEVER wants you to stop.
I know a totally “ball crazy” Labrador retriever, Mimee, who “demands” that Nan (not their real names) play ball NOW!
The minute Nan comes home, Mimee (with ball in mouth) pushes against Nan’s leg until Nan walks outside and throws the ball. When Nan goes out in the backyard Mimee brings her balls, pestering her, until Nan finally relents and throws the ball.
…The problem is Mimee never wants to stop.
Tongue hanging out the side of her mouth, labored breathing, it doesn’t matter, Mimee wants to keep playing ball.
…And it isn’t a lot of fun for either of them…
Nan told me, “I throw the ball so Mimee gets exercise. I want her to relax, but when we come inside, Mimee is still all wired, panting, and hyper. Why doesn’t playing ball wear her out?”
What Is The Best Way To Play Ball With Your Dog?
It’s easy to change a dog from wired to relaxed… just turn playing ball into a “canine braintm” game.
Here’s 5 Easy Steps to Play Ball
1. Remember you are “leader of the pack.” You decide when the best time is to play ball because the leader starts and stops all games.
During the day, when the dog brings you the ball, ignore it! Even if you think it’s a good time to play ball – don’t use the ball that the dog brings to you. Instead find a different ball and use it.
2. If you don’t want to be viewed as a “ball throwing machine,” do not play ball the first thing you do with your dog when you wake up in the morning or when come home from work. Do something else instead – for example, take a walk, do some obedience, teach a trick, or do some bodywork.
3. When you play ball require that the dog sit-stay or down-stay while you toss the ball. Do not release the dog from the stay until AFTER the ball lands and stops.
4. Be sure to pick up the ball after the game is finished.
5. After you play ball, teach the dog that quiet time follows. Teach the dog to “settle” or “chill out.”
You can use balls to motivate, reward, train, and play with dogs. As soon as dogs learn that they can “earn the ball” by a specific behavior – the fun really begins.
You can use a ball-on-a-rope to reward tight, close, dog obedience work, or you can throw tennis balls to reward agility distance work. You can teach tricks, dance moves, and play games.
Playing ball is “dog dynamite.” …When done correctly, the dog is passionate about you, not the ball.
