My dog has tennis ball OCD?

Question

my dog wont stop. she wont. she wants to play morning, day, night, rain, snow, sleet, whatever. she hurt her pad the other day (under front paw, its split open) and still wants to play. i have it wrapped, and i put vitamin e gel on it. i dont want her running around until its better, but the ***** doesnt care. its like she's possessed, she gives me the evil eye if i dont throw the ball. anyone else have a dog with OCD?

Shes a chocolate lab.

shadows, you are awesome thank you very much.

she's not into chewing or pulling on toys. i just adopted her and she is perfect, minus the obsessiveness

she doesnt eat bones, she doesnt eat treats, she doesnt poop or pee anywhere but outside, she just likes a tennis ball.

Answer 1

Actually it's good if your dog has a toy that they love that much. It guarantees they will do just about anything to get you to throw the ball. You can use it as a reward for training.

Make sure you set rules for playing with the ball though. For instance, don't throw the ball if your dog jumps on you or barks at you. Only throw the ball if the dog is sitting. And teach her to bring it back to you (if she doesn't already -- being a lab). That will teach her manners around the ball and teach her that she has to have some self control around the ball. I'd also teach her to "stay" for short periods when the ball is on the ground, and that she can't go get the ball until you say your release word (okay or done or whatever word you choose). When you first try this you might need to body block her from getting the ball. Pretty soon she'll learn that she can't go get it until you say she can. Plus she'll have ot use her brain more while playing ball and it will tire her out more. Maybe then you can get a break once in a while!

Your dog sounds like she has "high drive." So does mine. She's a lab too. They like to have something to do. They want to work for you. Playing ball can become their job. Anything that challenges their brain and body. Mine loves to be trained -- go to obedience classes or just be trained by me at home. She also loves agility. Or simply hiking in the woods can be a job if she has to come when called and chase the tennis ball every now and then. If you channel your dogs energy you'll be very happy with her, because a high drive dog wants to work for you.

Answer 2

Your dog is not OCD about the tennis ball. What she has is called a very "strong ball drive" ( I believe).
I have a female German Shepherd that carries the ball around in her mouth almost all the time. If she doesn't have the ball, she had one of two toys or a little football that she carries around all of the time. It is kind of like a kid that has to have a certain toy, doll or blanket.
Her father was the exact same way. He would chase a ball forever if the owner let him.
Don't let it worry you. She is normal, just love on her and ignore her when you don't want to be bothered.

Answer 3

Some dogs are just like this. Playfull all the time and never take the chance to rest. You can let her play for a little while at the end of the day but maybe dont let her have the ball all day. She may be upset with you but she will get over it. Also (I worked in a vets office) dont cover the split pad if it is not bleeding. She will keep it clean herself and it will heal faster if it can be in open air. You can cover it if she is going to be playing outside though so that it stays extra clean. You can also clean it with peroxide 1-2 times a day. Peroxide will not hurt her, but if she licks too much of it off it can make her vomit. So, if you clean it and leave it open give her a treat to keep her occupied while the peroxide dries. Good luck.

Answer 4

dog tennis ball ocd

Answer 5

I agree with Greekman. An obsessive dog is the main characteristic looked for in any kind of working dog(other than therapy dogs). You probably wont be able to stop it but you should look into making her a working dog of some sort. She is no doubt a very smart dog and really wants and needs to put her brain to use. It will also wear her out and a tired dog is a good dog. But consider making her into a working dog or a sport dog.

Answer 6

A high drive dog or a dog with strong ball drive is what they look for when they are looking for a sniffer dog! So, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Answer 7

You made me laugh......even tho' your problem is not funny .... My Brittany would run around on 3 legs to stalk, chase & gosh knows what, rather than rest and take care of the 4th sore leg. But they do seem to make it thru' most of these things...I think the good Lord watches over these sometimes "demented" animals. Try a new toy that she can get involved with, whether tearing it apart or whatever.
Oh! how often I've gotten that "evil eye"....LOL!!!!

Answer 8

My chocolate lab is exactly the same way. I pray for dogs like that to come my way, the more obsessed they are, the more I like them. My dog's obsession with the ball/toy led her to her current job as a bomb detection dog and she is GREAT at it. She loves to hunt for that toy. You are lucky to have a dog like that. You have no idea how easier it is to train her compare to other dogs. Don't discourage her obsession, just channel it and reward her with the ball for doing good obedience or whatever it is you ask of her. Good luck, labs are great.

Answer 9

My female Weimaraner has the exact same "issue". She can smell a hidden tennis from a mile away. It's cute, but can be so annoying sometimes. Good luck!

Answer 10

Lol, yeah, my dog kinda did that too, but not as bad as yours. I suggest maybe getting your attached to a different toy that doesn't make her run around so much, like a bone she can lay and gnaw on for hours!