by michdwy
on 8/24/2010 at 6:24 AM
in Training
Playing ball is of course a very popular pastime, enjoyed by many owners and their dogs. It is also a useful training activity, encouraging a dog to work to commands and returning to the owner. It should not however be used as the exclusive activity for it could become an obsession.
A dog's love of playing with a ball is a key component in the selection of dogs for training in specific occupations, for instance, police and military work. A sniffer,tracker or protection dog is allowed to play with the ball for a very limited time, perhaps even only one throw, when it has completed its appointed task. It is never allowed to play with the ball indefinitely.
Although the ball is very useful tool, it should never replace the walk. The daily treks with the owner are the most essential exercise for all dogs, and playing with a ball should only be incorporated in the walk for a short period.
I am stimulated to write this because recently, although I am fully aware of the foregoing, I have been guilty of allowing my pug-zu to have become obsessed with a ball. I walk a small pack of dogs of various breeds, and usually on one of our daily walks in the afternoon we are accompanied by a friend with her two dogs. As it is the school holidays, her 14 year old son has accompanied us. As he is much more active than we are, he throws balls for the dogs all the time and the younger ones particularly enjoy it. My pug-zu really loves him and is so obsessed with chasing the ball that she cannot spare the time, even though we are out for one to two hours, to carry out the necessary toilet functions. As we walk on rough moorland and the dogs are all off leash, we do not have to pick up poo so I had not noticed that Boo was so engrossed, that she failed to carry out her toilet needs.
Unfortunately two nights running, she was unable to hold it back any longer, with disastrous consequences. As she has been completely clean since I have had her for two years, it came as a shock to me when she had made deposits in my bedroom overnight. As she was obviously very well, I was at a loss to understand why she had done this. Then I realised what was happening. To counteract it, I now ensure that on our last walk at night, with just Boo and Millie, I keep a close eye on Boo and ensure that she has done her duty before we retire.
Ideally I should do as I preach, only allow her to play with the ball for a limited period, but as the school holidays will soon be over, I have not the heart to break up this love affair.
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