Psycho about balls help!!

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

Sounds like there is some OCD there maybe with rocks? Did she chase her tail? That's usually why we see them amputated.

We were told she had an injury that her owners didn't do anything about. By the time they took her into the shelter it was so infected they could not save it. So I don't know if she ever chased her tail. She doesn't show any signs of doing it now.

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by Jax08

This ^^^

Jax has her favorite toys. The search for her Ruffwear egg shaped toy is always interesting. She often just carries it around. Her Kong frisbee's. I have inside toys and outside toys. The egg is inside. Frisbee's are outside. I would just pick toys that are ok for her to have inside and put the others up.

I don't think putting all the balls up will traumatize her but if she's anything like Jax, she'll go to the spot they are normally kept, stare at the spot, bark at you, stare at the spot, jump up at the spot, bark at you...sometimes it's just easier to let them have their toy. LOL

OMG this is exactly it... she was throwing it and throwing it at me... I finally stuck it under a pillow behind me and she just stared at the spot... barked at me stared at the spot. Tried to climb behind me, stared at the spot... My husband tried to distract her with something else but she was so absolutely focused and seemed absolutely beside herself that we gave in and gave it back and told her to go lay down with it.

I guess I'm kind of relieved to know your Jax does this too. Yikes.. She is supposed to be show line rather than working line. Even my working line dogs were not this focused. (well except for Buddy and food but that seems kind of different)

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by Jo Ellen

Hah, I have a golden retriever that could care less about balls. It never occurred to me that my German shepherd would be my ball-obsessed dog. Actually comes in very handy, great motivator. If I want to recall him, distract him, engage him...all I have to say is "Where's your ball!" I use balls to socialize him with my neighbors' children also.

I wouldn't try to change your dog's obsession, you both may end up very frustrated and unhappy. Look for games with balls. This summer, a friend brougth over a mobile tether-ball yard game ... we had fun with that.

I wonder how he'd be with the Jolly Egg ball?

Will have to look for a Jolly ball. She has several of the different JW balls and Kongs and whatever else I could find at the pet store. At first I thought maybe if she had lots of balls she would be calmer no for her it is all about the ball. It is funny that old saying be careful what you wish for. Before we got her I was saying how much I missed having a ball dog to play fetch with...

[Jax08]

I just tell Jax No, I'm not throwing it. She'll woof at me while backing up and throwing her head and staring at me for a few minutes. Do NOT give in! lol I know it's hard but once you tell her you aren't throwing it that's it, don't throw it.

However, I do let Jax have it. She can carry it around all she wants as long as she's not bothering me with it once I've let her know I"m done. She's snoozing on the ottoman right now with her egg tucked under her leg. Once she's clear that I'm done playing, it's not a problem.

And keep more than one of her favorite on hand. It's not a good time if it gets lost. She'll drive me nuts looking at the spot it's supposed to be and barking at me even though it's not there. This morning I looked under every piece of furniture looking for it with her thinking it was a good time to flop on my head and get her belly rubbed. Finally found it in a corner!

I think letting her have it is fine. Just don't let her bug you about playing with her all the time.

[Bear GSD]

I think it's great that she is so happy with playing with balls. Do you think maybe she is compensating because of her background? Maybe she didn't have all the wonderful toys that you have given her where she came from.
How is she doing balance wise without her tail?

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by Jax08

I just tell Jax No, I'm not throwing it. She'll woof at me while backing up and throwing her head and staring at me for a few minutes. Do NOT give in! lol I know it's hard but once you tell her you aren't throwing it that's it, don't throw it.

However, I do let Jax have it. She can carry it around all she wants as long as she's not bothering me with it once I've let her know I"m done. She's snoozing on the ottoman right now with her egg tucked under her leg. Once she's clear that I'm done playing, it's not a problem.

And keep more than one of her favorite on hand. It's not a good time if it gets lost. She'll drive me nuts looking at the spot it's supposed to be and barking at me even though it's not there. This morning I looked under every piece of furniture looking for it with her thinking it was a good time to flop on my head and get her belly rubbed. Finally found it in a corner!

I think letting her have it is fine. Just don't let her bug you about playing with her all the time.

Ok well that is what we have been doing. I guess we are doing it right then. When I'm done throwing it I make her sit give it to her and then tell her to go lay down. She is back 15 min later, but she does listen at least for a little while.

[Jax08]

Just be consistent. I see no harm in letting her carry around her ball once you are done playing as long as she'll go settle somewhere with it. Jax will often chew on the egg for a few minutes and then fall asleep with it. And she often knows where she's left it, like in a floor drain in the basement...that was fun to dig out.

[Jo Ellen]

Originally Posted by shepherdmom

It is funny that old saying be careful what you wish for. Before we got her I was saying how much I missed having a ball dog to play fetch with...

Laughing out loud .... I know exactly what you mean. I don't want to know how many hours I spend playing ball now.

Really though, no ball-obsessed dog is complete without the Jolly Egg ball Look online for it, get the large one. It's not an inside toy, by the way ... it's hard plastic and can do damage if it goes airborn.

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by Bear GSD

I think it's great that she is so happy with playing with balls. Do you think maybe she is compensating because of her background? Maybe she didn't have all the wonderful toys that you have given her where she came from.
How is she doing balance wise without her tail?

Compensating because of her background, I doubt it. I think she is just psycho about balls. When there is a ball in front of her there is not another thought in her brain except ball play... ball play... LOL

Her balance is getting better all the time. It was a little off when we first met her but she has overcome nicely. It is like she has a speach impediment though. We are so used to doggie body language and position of the tail is a big part of that... with Tasha we really have to watch closely for other signs.

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by Jax08

And she often knows where she's left it, like in a floor drain in the basement...that was fun to dig out.

Oh no.... note to self make sure all drain holes are covered!!!