Comments on: Dogs with fixations (part one)

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:51:15 +0000

I’ve thought of never throwing the ball for Ace, too. Good to hear that it’s worked for you.

By: Jen @Good-Dog-Health

Jen @Good-Dog-Health — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:16:05 +0000

That could be Vance’s story, too. Only he actually did chase the ball one day until he completely overheated because I wasn’t paying enough attention. (We live in the south, I don’t throw a ball very far, and I’d actually only thrown it 9 times, but I was distracted and having a bad day [which is why I was counting each throw--we were going to do ten and then stop] and it was really hot and he was young… It was scary, but fortunately, there are no lasting effects, five years later.) Anyway, for us, we stopped ever touching the tennis ball. He’s allowed to have them and can carry them around, but no one throws it for him, ever. He still gets a little too focused on it now, but he hears us when we tell him that’s enough. It’s really nice to know Vance isn’t the only one with a tennis ball fixation!

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:02:51 +0000

I’d work with her on just a regular leash before you start with the long leash. If you can’t control her on a six-foot leash around other dogs, it won’t be safe to trust her on a longer rope. But anything would be better than having her off leash at this point. It’s not so bad that she’s fixated, but that she could nip at other dogs.

By: Cosmopoodle

Cosmopoodle — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:16:48 +0000

My 2 yr old standard poodle, Averna, gets fixated on other dogs. Small dogs, large dogs, she’s indiscriminate, but definitely fixated. She stops responding to commands, her body stiffens with tail and head held high. She carries her ball in her mouth while harrassing the other dogs, but if she has been known to nip them in the butt. I thought I might try working her on a long line while around other dogs to work on her recall and maintain some control, but am worried about dogs getting tangled in the line.

By: Poochieheaven

Poochieheaven — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:29:27 +0000

My dog, Duke, has a ball obsession. He will at times fall asleep with the ball in his mouth!

Poochieheavens last blog post..Organic Dog Beds

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:49:43 +0000

I think Ace is really fortunate to have found you! It’s really a challenge to find balance between interest and obsession, but if anyone is up to a challenge I think you are.

Maries last blog post..Wordless Wednesday

By: K9 Amiga

K9 Amiga — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:00:07 +0000

lindsay

1) Ace is so beautiful

2) stranger’s not quite obsessed but the only time he gets aggressive is when another dog moves in on his ball

3)i’m really glad you’re addressing this so assertively. Good luck : )

K9 Amigas last blog post..On a Lighter Note

By: Saint Lover

Saint Lover — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:27:33 +0000

That is certainly the retreiver in him. Many labs end up in rescue because of their obsession with ball. I think it could certainly be used as a training tool. Dogs that are very motivated by either a stuffie, food, toy or ball are much easier to train tricks/sports/behaviors to as the reward factor is so high for them.

Saint Lovers last blog post..Wordless Wednesday

By: jan

jan — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:05:11 +0000

Ace is so lucky to have you to figure out what is necessary for good behavior.

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:46:59 +0000

Cynthia- I think I’m going to have to start a flyball team in my area.

Apryl, it’s funny, isn’t it? I thought it was cute at first, now it’s just annoying. At least my mutt isn’t the only one.