Although far from their roots today, golden retrievers were initially bred to hunt and retrieve. This instinct has led some golden retrievers to develop an unhealthy obsession with tennis balls. My golden retriever is one of those. If there’s a tennis ball within reach, she will not rest until she has it and convinced someone to play fetch with her. This can happen on repeat with no end in sight. With a little research I found it to be quite common for some golden retrievers to have an unhealthy obsession with tennis balls or other retrievable toys. Luckily, there some steps you can take to manage this behavior.
Golden retrievers, especially the working breed, were originally bred to hunt and retrieve. The instinct to chase and retrieve is in a golden retrievers DNA and produces a positive internal response when acted upon. If not managed properly, some golden retrievers can develop an unhealthy obsession with tennis balls that can have a negative impact on day to day life.
When properly managed, your golden retrievers obsession with tennis balls and retrieving can be turned into a positive and lead to a stronger bond between you and your golden retriever.
What Can I Do to Manage my Golden Retriever’s Obsession With Tennis Balls?
First, I think it’s important to mention that a golden retrievers love for tennis balls and instinct to chase and retrieve can work in your favor when properly managed. Playing fetch is a great form of exercise and a wonderful alternative to a walk when your time is limited. A ball focused golden retriever can be easy to train, especially when a tennis ball is used as a reward. In addition, I am confident my golden retriever would never run away when I have a ball in hand. When we’re playing fetch, it doesn’t matter where we are or who’s around. She is completely focused on her “work”, which is chasing and retrieving that ball.
I’ve learned from experience that having set rules and limits with my tennis ball obsessed golden retriever has helped manage the behavior tremendously. Given the ability, my golden would run herself to exhaustion with her tennis ball obsession. Over time, I’ve learned some tricks to keep her love for tennis balls at a manageable, healthy level for all of us.
Set Rules for the Tennis Ball
1. Keep Tennis Balls Stored Away
It’s a good idea to manage your golden retriever’s access to tennis balls in your home, especially if they’re becoming increasingly obsessed with these green fuzzy spheres. Go around the house, yard, and car and collect all these loose tennis balls. It might seem cruel but you’ll find the result to be best for both you and your golden retriever. In our house, we have a spot where we store tennis balls (up in a basket in a high cabinet). Sometimes, “out of sight out of mind” will be enough to discourage the obsessive ball behavior. However, not all golden retrievers will take to this method very easily. Our golden used to sit and whine by the cabinet where the balls were hidden. With some distraction, and consistency, our golden retriever has learned that when the balls go into the cabinet, play time is over.
2. Determine Play Times and Locations
This one is important! You’ll want to determine when and where your golden retriever can enjoy some healthy play time with the tennis balls. Many find restricting tennis ball play to outside only is best. Unless you’re using a tennis ball as a reward during indoor training sessions, it might be best to have them stored away and used outdoors only. That’s up to you and your goals when using the tennis balls. Given access to free play with tennis balls indoors has only led to obsessive like behaviors in our golden. She will continuously bring us a slobbery ball, drop in it our lap and beg (whine) to play fetch. It doesn’t matter if our golden retriever has had a great deal of exercise that day. If the ball is around, our golden retriever will obsess over it nonstop and will rarely rest.
Ball obsessed golden retrievers can easily over exert themselves and setting limits on play time will help to keep your dog healthy. Many find that several 5 minute outdoor fetch sessions scattered throughout the day provides the perfect amount of exercise while keeping their golden retriever safe and healthy.
3. Use a Command to Communicate End of Play
Using a verbal command to signify the end of ball play can be very helpful over time. Once your golden retriever understands the command and it’s meaning, they are more likely to relax, even when a ball is still in sight. We have used the command “no more” to associate with the end of play. I will usually hold the ball in my hand, pack in away in a bag, or immediately go put it away if I’m near enough to the cabinet where we store the tennis balls. Another common command is “that’s enough”. You can use any command that works best for you as long as you’re consistent. Your golden retriever will start to understand these boundaries and it will lead to happier daily interactions with family and friends, especially when tennis balls are around.
4. Ensure Plenty of Exercise & Mental Stimulation
It’s a good idea to vary your golden retrievers physical exercise. In addition, to some short fetch playing sessions with the tennis ball, you’ll want to walk/run your golden retriever and provide opportunities for mental stimulation. Golden retrievers are an intelligent and active breed. You’ll have a better chance of minimizing their ball obsession if you meet both these needs daily.
How Can I Protect My Ball Obsessed Golden Retriever From Injuries?
One of the biggest concerns with ball obsessed golden retriever owners is the propensity for their dog to get injured. Without boundaries and limits, it is not unheard of for golden retrievers to play fetch beyond exhaustion. I’ve noticed it seems like my golden retriever goes into a trance-like state whenever the ball is around. My golden retriever appears to block out all of the outside world and the ball is all she can focus on! Many golden retrievers don’t understand their limits and will not stop for exhaustion or pain. Keep an eye out on your golden retrievers paw pads and nails. Check your golden retrievers paw pads for wear and nails for bleeding on a regular basis. Ensure your fetch sessions occur on a soft surface. You never want to play fetch on the pavement or any other hard surface. Playing fetch repetitively over time is also hard on your golden retrievers joints. Keep an eye out for your golden retrievers overall health and set healthy limits with ball play. My research has shown that 5 minute intervals on a soft surface such as grass or sand, with proper rest and hydration in between, is best.
How Can I Use My Golden Retreiver’s Ball Obsession For Good?
Several ball obsessed golden retriever owners have channeled their dogs energy to participation in dog sports such as dock diving, fly ball and even agility training. Golden retrievers, especially the working type, are usually motivated and happy to participate in active dog training. Providing adequate attention and stimulation for your golden retriever encourages life long bonds, and helps to meet a golden retriever’s physical and mental needs in a positive way. Have fun and be creative using your golden retriever’s boundless energy around tennis balls.
What Should I Do If My Golden Retriever’s Tennis Ball Obsession is Getting Worse?
If you’ve tried the recommendations above with no improvement or the overall symptoms of ball obsessive behavior are exasperated and have led to anxiety in your golden retriever, it may be time to speak to your vet or a dog behaviorist to get best recommendations for your individual golden retrievers needs.
How about you? Do you have a ball obsessed golden retriever? What things have you tried to manage this extreme love for tennis balls, chasing and retrieving?