Ball obsessed dog

[Libbyh]

My 22 month girl is ball obsessed.  I can manage this one on one. However at the dog park she runs after all other dog balls, while holding hers in her mouth. She jumps at other people, to get their dog balls. She wont come or listen to me. If I see someone coming with a ball, I take her to another pen, where she will run up and down along the fence to follow balls in the other pen. If there are no balls she plays as normal at the park.  Thanks for any advice in advance. Its very frustrating

[Pjrt]

Why take her to a ‘dog park’? She’s obviously not  interested in the other dogs, only their balls, leading to problems. I’d leash walk & Also just play with her on an oval or reserve with a ball on her own. 

[Libbyh]

Thanks for your reply.  I would still like to socialise her. No problems if no balls. Frustrating little darlings lol

[Dogsfevr]

On 17/04/2022 at 12:17 PM, Libbyh said:

Thanks for your reply.  I would still like to socialise her. No problems if no balls. Frustrating little darlings lol

Nothing frustrating but you wanting to do the park is telling her the behaviour is fine ,you can’t have your cake and eat when a dog is high drive over a ball.You have the choice to ensure the right outcome happens moving forward .

Your probably lucky you haven’t been on the receiving end off a words from people already because i dont let my dogs socialise with dogs that owners cant control or have no boundries ,my dogs arent a victim to suit other owners .

She isn’t being socialised as her focus is on the ball without boundaries and her behaviour during this is period is unacceptable and setting her and yourself up for an unhappy ending

 

 

Edited April 19, 2022 by Dogsfevr

[DogsAndTheMob]

You need to resolve this problem for her safety as it may trigger another dog to attack her, but you won’t do so if you continue to exercise her in the dog park while other people are throwing balls.

At 22 months, training class would provide more appropriate socialisation, teaching her to respond to you in the presence of other dogs.

At home, work on her training (heeling, stays and coming when called) with a ball lying nearby. Start with very short training sessions of a few minutes and the ball some distance away. Perhaps carry a second ball and finish each training session by tossing that ball as a reward. Over a period of weeks, increase the duration of training and decrease the distance from the ball until she can walk right over it and still pay attention to you. Then start nudging the ball with your foot to make it roll, but still insisting she focus her attention on you.

Edited April 17, 2022 by DogsAndTheMob

[persephone]

Socialising means learning how to behave around other dogs . What she is doing is learning the wrong way, and getting a massive "feel good" hormone kick from it. 
You and she need to practise a LOT of no ball training at home /classes, where praise/success can also give her that feel-good hit ..
At present it's like expecting an addict to kick a habit by taking them to a place where everyone else is indulging - including them! 

[Pjrt]

Thank you to the other posters for explaining that dog parks are not ‘socialising’!! I wanted to add that but couldn’t quite get the words right! 

[Guest]

There are quite a lot of people who do not like Cesar Millan. I think most of his advice is great and makes sense.
I am sure Cesar had an episode on ball obsession, and what seemed most important was to get the dog's attention = eye contact (or respect) before throwing the ball. The ball should not be the dog's focus, but you.

Cesar Millan: Ball-Obsessed German Shepherd

 

I am sure there was also some info in one of his books. Online, you can read a sample page:

Cear Millan: obsessions episode 117

 

Actually, I just checked in one of my books: "Cesar's Way". There is a chapter on 'Obsessions/Fixations' (p. 158ff). Maybe get from library (if you are also fan of Cesar).

 

Good luck!

Edited April 20, 2022 by Guest

[Papillon Kisses]

 

[Eden Ida]

Hello, I am new here though I have to agree I cringed when reading Caesar Milan being recommended. Please don’t take on his advice.

 

There is some good advice above :)

[corvus]

FWIW, the way I handle these kinds of things is to basically train the dog to be responsive around the object of obsession, which is simple in principle but a little tricky in practice. Basically, we set the dog up to succeed. Train disengagement from a non-ball toy, train impulse control around non-ball toy, move to a ball-like toy, incorporate games of getting the ball on cue and giving it up on cue so there is a lot of structure and control around the activity, start again with a ball but no the preferred type. Start again with a ball but not the favourite type. Start again with the favourite ball. Start again with other dogs and balls.

[coneye]

Years ago  1986 to be excact  i got two fully grown boxers  from the pound , they wanted them  to go together so i  took them both , Mitz  the mother   probably  about 8 , at the time at a guess   she was lovely but starting to slow down   , Zac ,was about 4 -5 at a guess ,  well what a fantastic looking dog , big ,  lot bulkier than most boxers pure muscle ,  both dogs had already been well trained  , would walk to heel  without a leash , would sit  lie , stay   they actually knew a lot of hand commands  , great  great dogs   especielly when i was given two for the price of one  had them , had them for 4-5 years  before sac passed pantriatic cancer ,, after he went mitz just lay down and withered away probably  around 13 then .

 

Anyway whats this got to do with anything  well mainly i like to tell a story when i'm bored  , but other than that ,, there was only one problem with them ,,, i lived then and still do  virtually on  a dog beach ,  i took them there every morning and every night they loved it  , what was the problem ,  well Sac  loved bricks  and big rocks , he would always find them  and chew them   he would spend hours knawing on a big pebble or brick ,     he would bring home a mouthfull off pebbles   bury them in his run , dig them up chew em and bury them  ,  but that was'nt the problem   the problem was  he had virtually NO Teeth  , he  worn them down they were just stubbles when i got him , Vet said ,  heh he's already worn them out      let him caryy on  he likes what he does , ,, now thats easy to live with except  for one other problem ,,  he was VERY VERY protective of Mitz  , he himself was good with most dogs , she was good with all dogs ,,  but on the dog beach   ANY dog came near his pebbles  or Mitz  and  it was on ,, so what did i do ,   this is the part  for the original poster ,,  I stopped walking them  when others were there , i only done early morning or late evening ,  and if there were other dogs there   i put him on the leash ,  so control your dog  or stop  taking it where it can steal other dogs balls ,, because i can tell you Sac was   a very very strong muscle bound boxer   and would of been a dangerous dog if he had teeth     ,  never happenned often but on the odd time before i relized it was a problem he had no trouble pinning down other big dogs  who tried to steal his pebble or brick  or shown aggresion to Mitz ,    its obvious that your not really familiar with training dogs ,  so do has i did , don't put yourself or your dog in a bad position , ,, Besides its more fun on your own playing fetch  go to an oval  and leash  him when other dogs come around  with balls

[Paul777]

Good advise given already regarding training.
Your dog needs to learn to focus on you and your voice. 
What you describe sounds like a lack of respect. 

Too many dog owners will not 'pull rank' on their dogs. 
It's an attitude thing. My dogs have all been my companion but first and foremost I am their master.

While on the subject of balls; don't ever use tennis balls because they are abrasive and wear down enamel on a dogs teeth. 
Rubber balls are best.