[ara28]

Pretty much everyday I take my dog to this park near by and if there's no one in the base ball field, we go in there and play with the chuck it. The game goes as follows:

1. I tell him sit, then throw the ball.
2. He runs after it, then I follow.
3. Once I get about 10 feet away from it, he'll drop the ball and get ready to chase it again.

Now, that's how the game is SUPPOSED to work and it worked like that for a very long time, several months, but now this game is not so fun anymore.

For example, yesterday we went to the park to play and i threw the ball he ran to get it and then would NOT give it back. he wouldn't drop it (he USED to know that command) he wont let go (he knows that command), he wont even exchange it for food, he just wants to chew on the ball and not give it back. This has happened the last several times I've taken him to play.

I think the problem is that the way I taught him drop it was through the exchange method. Well I think he started to realize that he's not going to exchange it because he already has what he wants. I've tried to get him to play with the tug toy, give him another ball. nothing is working. he's very very strong so I usually can't pull it out of his mouth because he clamps down on it.

Yesterday we had lots of time so when he started doing that i just turned around and ignored him. I was determined to be patient. he kept glancing at me, i guess to make sure that I was still there but all he would do was chew on the ball. I ignored him for 30 minutes and he just didn't seem to care. So I just left and once he realised that I was heading towards the exit, he followed and we went home.

I know he doesn't understand the importance of playing at the park but I wish he did. I do it to wear him out. he can chew on the damn ball at the house. we go to the park so he can RUN.

I got so frustrated the other day that i almost threw a fit like a little kid. he wouldn't give the ball back and i was so mad so i walked away from him and jumped up and down like and idiot to relieve my frustration.

Does anyone know how to REteach drop it?? I'm desparate for advice....


THANKS!!!!!!


Oh and I'm not sure if this is relevant, but whenever he pees on his foot, if he goes to lick it off before I can get it with a towel, his lip/teeth will quiver (sp?) and chatter for a few seconds afterwords. he was doing the same quiver/chatter thing yesterday the few times I did manage to get the ball out of his mouth. Does that have any meaning?

 

[FourIsCompany]

The quiver thing is probably excitement. I have noticed dogs doing that when they smell urine. Not sure what that's about, but it's normal as far as I know.

I had the exact same problem with Jaia and the ball... The problem is that the dog enjoys chewing on the tennis ball (which is bad for their teeth) more than chasing it. It's going to be hard to convince him to give up the higher value reward for the lower. Here are a couple things you can try.

Wait him out. Make this game very boring unless he gives up the ball. This can take a long time to get the point across and it's pretty boring, especially if you still have to find a way to get him exercised.

Have another ball. I know you said you tried to give him another one, but did you throw it? When he won't drop his, just toss the other one in the air and catch it like you're having a great time. The moment he drops his ball, throw yours for him. Trouble is Jaia can fit two in his mouth at a time. Hence, 3 balls. I would play around like that and see what you can come up with. If nothing else, he'll probably chase a second (or third) ball and get his exercise, even if he still won't drop the first.

Get a flirt pole for exercise. http://www.dogforums.com/2-general-dog-forum/51245-flirt-poles-where-get.html Make SURE to read and follow the precautions listed in that thread.

What I ended up doing is putting the balls and the chuck-it away and getting soft-bite floppy discs. They're not NEARLY as fun to chew on, so he brings it back for me to throw it again. After about 6 months of the ball being in retirement and playing with the frisbee, I got the ball back out and now he brings it to me because he's used to bringing the frisbee back to me.

Also dogs get bored of the same old thing. Change it up with other toys to chase. Leave the balls at home sometimes.

Good luck!

 

[ara28]

Thanks for replying! I was concerned that no one would since my post was so long. I really appreciate it.

Wait him out. Make this game very boring unless he gives up the ball. This can take a long time to get the point across and it's pretty boring, especially if you still have to find a way to get him exercised.

how much time are you talking? I did that for 30-45 minutes yesterday and it was un successful.

Have another ball. I know you said you tried to give him another one, but did you throw it? When he won't drop his, just toss the other one in the air and catch it like you're having a great time. The moment he drops his ball, throw yours for him. Trouble is Jaia can fit two in his mouth at a time. Hence, 3 balls. I would play around like that and see what you can come up with. If nothing else, he'll probably chase a second (or third) ball and get his exercise, even if he still won't drop the first.

Yep, I've thrown other balls. He'll watch me throw them and then stare at where they land for a few seconds and then go about chewing on the ball he already has. I've tried acting like the new ball is AWESOME! and he doesn't seem to care. He seems unimpressed with my attempts to act like the toy I have is better than the toy he has.

Get a flirt pole for exercise. http://www.dogforums.com/2-general-dog-forum/51245-flirt-poles-where-get.html Make SURE to read and follow the precautions listed in that thread.

Can I take that to the park to play with him? We don't really have a yard and I'm not sure how to fit one of those in the car?

What I ended up doing is putting the balls and the chuck-it away and getting soft-bite floppy discs. They're not NEARLY as fun to chew on, so he brings it back for me to throw it again. After about 6 months of the ball being in retirement and playing with the frisbee, I got the ball back out and now he brings it to me because he's used to bringing the frisbee back to me.

Also dogs get bored of the same old thing. Change it up with other toys to chase. Leave the balls at home sometimes.

Good luck!

I've tried frisbees. He doesn't seem to understand the concept. He also doesn't retrieve the ball, he just goes to get it and that's it, there's no bringing it back.

 

[FourIsCompany]

how much time are you talking? I did that for 30-45 minutes yesterday and it was un successful.

I don't have a time in mind, but it may take a couple weeks of sessions. But if you waited him out (ignored him) for 45 minutes, I'm not sure that's going to work. LOL

Can I take that to the park to play with him?

Sure. Make a small one. Like the one in this video. (at about 3:10) I love the way that guy works with dogs!

I've tried frisbees. He doesn't seem to understand the concept.[

The ones I linked to have directions right on them about how to teach the dog to be interested. You can teach frisbee.

He also doesn't retrieve the ball, he just goes to get it and that's it, there's no bringing it back.

Well, then I wouldn't play that game. You have to train him to retrieve. It sounds like your dog is using the ball as a chew toy, not an interactive (with you) toy.

Maybe you could use another toy (like a Wubba) instead of a treat. Throw a toy about 3 feet away from you and have him on a leash. Once he picks it up, tell him to come. when he gets to you, present the wubba and say drop it. Praise and give him the wubba.

I really think it's going to be a matter of (A) putting the ball away for now (B) training him to retrieve (C) re-teaching drop it, using toys instead of treats and (D) being patient. Take however long it takes.

Maybe an obedience class could help you. The trainers can observe your dog and help you with ideas.

 

[ara28]

I don't have a time in mind, but it may take a couple weeks of sessions. But if you waited him out (ignored him) for 45 minutes, I'm not sure that's going to work. LOL



Sure. Make a small one. Like the one in this video. (at about 3:10) I love the way that guy works with dogs!



The ones I linked to have directions right on them about how to teach the dog to be interested. You can teach frisbee.



Well, then I wouldn't play that game. You have to train him to retrieve. It sounds like your dog is using the ball as a chew toy, not an interactive (with you) toy.

Maybe you could use another toy (like a Wubba) instead of a treat. Throw a toy about 3 feet away from you and have him on a leash. Once he picks it up, tell him to come. when he gets to you, present the wubba and say drop it. Praise and give him the wubba.

I really think it's going to be a matter of (A) putting the ball away for now (B) training him to retrieve (C) re-teaching drop it, using toys instead of treats and (D) being patient. Take however long it takes.

Maybe an obedience class could help you. The trainers can observe your dog and help you with ideas.

We've been through a couple obedience classes. He's got his cgc. we start a new class called "beyond basic" in a few weeks. I'll ask tracy (our trainer) about it though when our class starts. Our last class ended the first week of april and now i'm waiting for the next one to start.

I don't care that he doesn't know how to retrieve. I just said that in terms of the frisbee is that even if i could get him to play frisbee. he doesn't retrieve so..yeah.

We don't play "fetch" we play "throw the ball, go get it, throw it the other direction"

It was working for several months until he decided he'd rather chew on the ball. The reason our method worked was because it allowed him a few seconds to chew on the ball while I was walking over there before i threw it the other way. that way he got to chew on the ball AND we got to play.
Visually it pretty much looks like i use the chuck it and throw the ball across the baseball field and he runs after it. then i leisurely walk after him/it (i'm lazy, so i'm a little slow) so then while he's waiting for me to get over there he can chew on the ball and then it USED to be I'd get about 10 feet away, he'd drop the ball and run over to me waiting for me to go pick it up and throw it with the chuck it again.

I really enjoyed our game...but not so much anymore.

I've got to take him to the park this afternoon and attempt again though because we've got our hospital visit tonight and I have to wear him out before we go and he gets hot really fast in the summer walking so that's why we do the chuck it when I'm in a rush because he can get lots of exercise in a short amount of time with out getting too hot.

 

[ara28]

I'll look into all those toys you mentioned, thanks for the links btw.

 

[MyCharlie]

He won't chase any other toy than a ball? It doesn't have to be a frisbee if he doesn't like frisbees, it could be a wubba, a kong ball, any toy you can throw (obviously you couldn't throw it as far since you couldn't use the chuck-it but at least he would be running instead of laying there chewing on it).

If it's a less fun toy to chew on, he may be more inclined to go back to the game as you played it before and let you throw it instead of chewing on it. The wubba has a little tail and also with the squeaker it might play more into his prey instinct and be funner to chase than to chew. I dunno.

I really like a lot of Four Is Company's suggestions. Even though you liked the game before, you will probabaly have to change things up since he is changing the "rules" on you! They're such brats sometimes aren't they?

 

[FourIsCompany]

The reason our method worked was because it allowed him a few seconds to chew on the ball while I was walking over there before i threw it the other way.

That's also the reason it failed. He decided he liked his chewing game better than your game.

Your instructor should be able to help you with re-teaching drop it.

 

[ara28]

He will definately chew ANYTHING with a squeaker forever. "squeek, squeek, squeeeeeeeek". That's one of his favorite things to do. lol. I'll try to change things up a bit this week using some of the suggestions I've been given. Hoepfully that will work.

Or....maybe since I've complained about it now, he'll be a good boy and give up the ball!

That's also the reason it failed. He decided he liked his chewing game better than your game.

Your instructor should be able to help you with re-teaching drop it.

LOL. I didn't want to know that.

MY GAME IS BETTER!

 

[ara28]

Maybe you could use another toy (like a Wubba) instead of a treat. Throw a toy about 3 feet away from you and have him on a leash. Once he picks it up, tell him to come. when he gets to you, present the wubba and say drop it. Praise and give him the wubba.

I'm going to go get a wubba after work today. So from your explanation, I'm supposed to use the wubba in leiu of a treat? And if that works, what if he decides he wants to play with the wubba instead and then just chews on that rather than the ball?

yesterday he was being semi-cooperative. He wouldn't freely drop the ball but he wasn't clamping down as hard most of the time so I was able to get the ball out of his mouth. We were able to get enough repetitions in though for him to get a bit worn out.