Dogs and Fetch – Stress or Fun, Risks and Solutions
Ball and stick throwing can become a mania
Throwing sticks or balls for a dog to chase is a classical dog activity for many of us. So why lable it a danger? The truth is that the chasing can become stressful and the dog can even develop an obsession around it. Let's take a closer look at this endless game that can do more harm than good.
How ball chasing can become an addiction
Varied exercise and mental stimulation are important. The repetitive movement patterns, the fast sprints, and the sudden stops in ball throwing can harm the dog if done frequently or in the wrong way.
From a psychological perspective, the dog is not only chasing the ball but also the adrenaline rush that the sprints require. When the brain releases adrenaline and endorphines, the dog becomes euphoric and experiences extreme feelings of well-being and power.
Fido gets a "kick" out of it that can lead to ball chasing becoming a bit of an addiction. The activity will be prioritized over other activities, and the dog will beg you to throw over and over again. The sticks/balls become a "fix" need on a daily basis and the items thrown may be guarded like Golum guards the ring... This is when ball throwing has become an unhealthy activitiy for a dog.
Impact of repeated ball throwing on dog health
The repetitiveness create the dependency over time and it also sends Fido's stress hormone production into overdrive. It can take days for cortisol, and testosterone to return to normal levels after a ball throwing session. If this happens daily, we have increasing stress that becomes harmful over time. Ulcers, weakened immune system, burnout, and stress-related behavioral problems can be the consequences.
The monotony and repetitiveness have also been shown to have an anxiety-reducing effect. Stereotypes are a well-known example; pacing in wolves in zoos or rocking in patients in mental hospitals. Chasing the ball can have the same effect for anxious dogs. They demand the chase when they feel uncomfortable. But it is not a good solution; rather, a symptom of unhealthy stress levels.
Hunting instincts and stress in ball throwing
Throwing balls to be chased triggers a sequence of the hunt, the catching up and grabbing the prey, the most energy-consuming sequence. This is something our dear carnivore friends know all about. However, searching for and tracking down the prey, encircling, stalking, leaping towards it, killing, and finally eating, gnawing for a long time before the long journey home... is missing!
And it is these activities that consume the cortisol built up and thus dampens the stress response that a hunt entails. Nature is perfect. When we take out a part of the well balanced hunting sequence, we disrupt an important equilibrium. In return, we get a red-eyed and panting dog that has difficulty relaxing.
Enthusiasm vs. Obsession in ball throwing
Some dogs enjoy balls, frisbees and toys. They like playing chase and appreciate carrying and fetching. There is a difference in being enthusiastic and stressed.
Unhealthy ball-obsessed dogs are so fixated on the ball that they no longer notice the world around them. They can run straight into the street, knock over children, crash into trees, or other dogs. Additionally, they can chase themselves dangerously exhausted because they don't stop when their body is tired, as a normal dog would. They hardly feel tired due to the adrenaline rush.
A ball-obsessed dog will:
- Be so focused on the ball that other stimuli are blocked
- Be difficult to distract
- Have a fixated and manic gaze with the ball in focus
- Guard the ball, the place where it is stored, and so on...
- Become stressed if the ball is put away or if you refuse to throw
Ways out of ball addiction: Step by step
If you have a stick/ball-obsessed dog whose gaze screams "Come on, THROW!!" then you should do something about it. However, simply stopping a physically addictive behavior may lead to withdrawal. Instead, gradually taper off the behavior following these steps:
STEP 1: Limit the throwing time and use signals
Your dog is constantly anticipating the next throw. Therefore, create predictability since it reduces stress. Only throw during a specific time period. If you usually throw the ball several times throughout the day, start by only throwing it during the afternoon walk. Choose the same location each time and only throw after saying, "Lets play ball."
For example, if you usually throw the ball 25 times, remove 2-4 throw per day. Assign a verbal cue to each throw, such as "Take it!" This way, the dog doesn't expect a throw every time you bend down or chase after a thrown apple core. End your daily throwing session with a "Finished" and put the ball away. The time, place and starting signal frames the activity which is needed before the following steps.
STEP 2: Limit ball throwing to specific times
Do not throw the ball at any other time than during your throwing sessions! You gave the dog the first "fix," so you must refrain from the co-dependent role and resist the impulse to throw. Between your throwing sessions, put the ball away where the dog cannot see it or fixate on its location.
Storing it in a box in the garage is better than leaving it in a bag on the hallway floor. If your dog searches for the storage place, remain calm. Hum a tune and walk away. Don't respond to the question in your dog's gaze with words. Just let it go.
If your dog is stick-obsessed, every walk in the forest may become hard. First, redirect the obsession onto controlled balls or toys and keep step 1 in mind. And never throw a stick again!
STEP 3: Find new outlets for ball-obsessed dogs
Replace the ball craving with another outlet! This step is important. Stay away from monotonous alternatives like jogging or cycling. Trail running is better, preferably with adrenaline-inducing intervals. Alternatively, lay a few scent trails per week. Why not try nose work? But be cautious with overly calm substitutes; Fido thrives on adrenaline. For more on activation, see the article Enrichment – Let Your Dog Be a Dog!
Offering play fights, hunting games, tracking, or pulling might be wise. Your adrenaline junkie of a furry friend doesn't need to go dry. The point is not to abruptly stop, but to provide alternatives. Otherwise, there is a significant risk of redirecting the energy onto something undesired.
STEP 4: Mindfulness and relaxation for stressed dogs
Mindfulness and calmness are important at this stage. Give your dog stress-relieving tactile massages daily. Practice balance, as centering the body also centers the mind. A dietary supplement containing magnesium and B-vitamins can benefit dogs experiencing prolonged stress. Tryptophan helps the dog produce more serotonin. Serotonin acts as a messenger in the brain, ensuring good communication between different areas related to well-being and sleep.
Dogs with compulsive behaviors, depression, and anxiety can benefit from increased serotonin levels. Additionally, let Fido chew on bones often of licking fresh meaty food or lactose free cream cheese from a lick mat. Using a lick mat encourages licking, which releases endorphins in your dogs brain. These endorphins can help calm dogs down for the same reason as chewing promotes relaxation in dogs.
STEP 5: Introduce throw-free days for gradual phasing out
Have one ball-free day a week! Now that Fido is learning to relax and has a couple of new hobbies, he should be able to handle the reduction. After a couple more weeks, introduce two ball-free days a week. And so on.
STEP 6: Turn ball games into nose work
Transform your ball-obsessed dog into a search dog. Hold your dog gently but firmly while you throw the ball. With time and practice, your dog will be able to stay on her/his own, but initially, it is recommended to use a harness. Throw and let the ball fall and disappear into the greenery.
Count to five, then release Fido and say "search". Now, he will need to search, use his nose and brain, not just his leg muscles an instincts.
After a few throws, count to ten instead of five. Vary whether your dog sees you throw or not. Position your dog with her/his back turned away from the throwing spot to make it more challenging. Searching is better than fetching on the fly. By stimulating nose work, you provide your dog with a pleasant and calmer activity.
STEP 7: Independent play with balls and other toys
Finally, let your dog be around a dozen balls. Don't make a big deal out of it. Let your dog play independently if she/he wants to, but you don't touch any of the balls. Leave other toys out as well, new exciting things, perhaps activation toys with super tasty treats in them. At this stage, it is wise to have your dog choose interactive toys over balls.
Congratulations! Well done, your dog should now be free from its obsession. If not, if your dog has become addicted to something else, contact a certified and experienced dog psychologist. There may be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed before the above steps can provide lasting results.
Warnings about ball fixation and the stick risk
Retrievers and herding dogs tend to love retrieving tasks. Fetching, fixating their gaze, and sprinting are typical breed behaviors. If you throw sticks for your dog to catch, be aware of the risks.
If a thrown stick gets stuck in the ground like a spear and your dog tries to grab it at high speed, it can end badly. If you prefer throwing a ball, make sure the ball is larger than the width of your dog's throat. Keep the play safe and consider what could happen if your dog becomes obsessed with a ball. A frisbee in form of a rubber soft disc is much safer! You can read more about stress in dogs in the article Stress in Dogs: Displacement Behaviors and Solutions.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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