My sheltie loves to play ball but never wants to give it back so I
have 2 or 3 tennis balls on the go at one time. I had hurt my wrist a
while ago and started kicking the ball instead of throwing it and she
just loves that. I kick the ball in the other direction as she is
bringing it back. I do this so the ball doesn't hit her and it keeps
her going and gives her lots of exercise but this time she was panting
for a long time afterwards. Would she know when she's had enough or
does a dog just keep going and going?

Lori

My sheltie loves to play ball but never wants to give it back so I
have 2 or 3 tennis balls on the go at one time.


I have the same problem with Maui. I usually have 2 or 3 balls at the same
time because I throw one, he goes to it and starts chewing on it then I
throw another and when he goes after the second one I run to the first and
get it. That way, I am getting just as much exercise as he is! Anyway, how
do I get him to bring the first one back to me so we can keep playing and I
can have a rest? thanks for any help.

I think this depends on the dogs personality.

Barney would play a while then go lay down to the side while Brandy would
just keep going till she dropped. As long as I threw the ball she'd go
after it with a vengeance. We now have Lady who is like Barney. She will
play 30 minutes then decide OK time for a rest.

Celeste

"Kayla" wrote in message
...
My sheltie loves to play ball but never wants to give it back so I
have 2 or 3 tennis balls on the go at one time. I had hurt my wrist a
while ago and started kicking the ball instead of throwing it and she
just loves that. I kick the ball in the other direction as she is
bringing it back. I do this so the ball doesn't hit her and it keeps
her going and gives her lots of exercise but this time she was panting
for a long time afterwards. Would she know when she's had enough or
does a dog just keep going and going?

Lori

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 21:32:01 GMT, Kayla wrote:

My sheltie loves to play ball but never wants to give it back so I
have 2 or 3 tennis balls on the go at one time...

Would she know when she's had enough or
does a dog just keep going and going?

I think that, like humans, dogs tend to over indulge in activities they
enjoy: even more so, if they believe they are pleasing us. How far they
go varies by personality--and by breed. Not every breed is particularly
driven to please us.


When I die, I want to go where dogs go!

Howdy All,
If the dog is driven it won't stop. There is a saying in the
sighthound world. "You've got to be smarter than the dog". Also if you
have the room you might try using a lure machine that drags a white
plastic bag around. All you have to do is push a button.

Frank X. Morris
http://community.webtv.net/Sulkhalil/SalukiCornerChime

Well, I've had my education on Salukis this morning. That is a breed
I have never heard of and after seeing your great pictures I thought I
would do some research. Nice dogs!

"You've got to be smarter than the dog"

There's my answer to my question. ;-)
As far as the lure machine, I wouldn't be getting my exercise. It
keeps me going to get to a free ball before Chelsea gets back to me
and I'm just as tired as she is when we're done.

Lori

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 19:19:28 -0700, (Frank Morris)
wrote:

... "You've got to be smarter than the dog"...

My step grandfather was a vile, pathetic man, but he used to say, "You
have to know it yourself, before you can teach it to a dog." He never
explained what that meant; so, it frustrated me to no end. I like your
wording much better. Its a great and accurate rule, but knowing how to
apply it on a practical level requires more wisdom {than I have
sometimes}. :-)

When I die, I want to go where dogs go!

Howdy Lori,
The Salukis are a fun bunch, you always need more than one. Actually
you need them to exercise each other,they aren't big on fetch. Every
week I take mine out to chase jackrabbits and I walk about 5 miles.

Frank X. Morris
http://community.webtv.net/Sulkhalil/SalukiCornerChime

I tried this technique yesterday and it worked for about 5 throws. I will keep it up and see what happens, maybe I can work up to more throws before he refusing to bring the ball back (he'd just come back for a treat, which he wouldn't get unless he had the ball). Thanks.


"E. Carl Speros" wrote in message ...
Try holding both your hands out palms up & together & calling his name.
tell him to drop it & the first time he brings the ball back, give him a
favorite treat. After a while he'll get on to the fact that the fetch &
return game is more fun than his previous catch & chew game. Let me know
how you make out.