| From: |
Message: |
Susan B
 
Aug 13, 2014 at 21:41
(USA)
Post 2 
 
|
Strange behavior with kick ball
?Hello,
I'm new here and hope this is the appropriate place for my post. If not, please let me know and thanks for your patience.
My new dog Duffy loves me to throw tennis balls for him to chase. He brings them back and we have been having a lot of fun.I've tried getting him interested in other toys with no success. He just loves the tennis balls. Well.. today I decided he might enjoy one of those kick balls kids play with. It's about 10 inches in diameter. I threw it in the yard and Duffy was off after it like a shot. Immediately he tried to grab it with his teeth but the ball is too big and inflated for him to get a grip so the ball just rolled forward. Which made Duffy chase and try to bite again. Soon Duffy was racing around the yard with his nose right on that ball, following it no matter where it went, over stuff, through stuff, it didn't matter--Duffy's nose was glued to the ball and he seemed oblivious to everything else in the world! I tried to talk to him or get the ball away to no avail. 15 minutes later he showed no signs of stopping and his panting was getting very heavy so that I became alarmed. With some effort I was able to get the ball away and I hid it. Duffy them seemed to be normal again although it took him almost an hour to settle down, he as so wound up. I've had dogs (including three other terrier breeds--Airedale, Wire fox and Border) all my life and never seen anything like he was with this kick ball. So I am thinking this behavior can't be healthy, can it? I should throw the kick ball out, right? If he was having fun, I don't want to deprive him but...I really could use some guidance here. Thank you for any response. And I'm sorry for the long post.
|
 |
Kelsey,Shelby and Abby
 
Aug 13, 2014 at 22:02
• Mary Novak
(North Carolina)
Post 5425
 |
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
My westies and cairn terrier love play balls. They will chase at them, try to bite them. They just love them.
I will not let them have one when it is to hot out. I always keep and eye on them and if I see that they are tiring or panting to much I take it away.
|
|
Iver and Sailor
 
Aug 13, 2014 at 23:06
• David
(Washington)
Post 5555
|
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
Hi Susan and Duffy.
Welcome to the Terrier Club.
Duffy sounds like he was having a good time with the kick ball.
I don't see any harm in bringing it out occassionally
and let him play with it.
Just monitor him while he's playing with it
and if he gets out of hand you can always stop him.
Terriers are hunters and it sounds like he was intent on hunting that ball.
|
|
Elliot
Aug 14, 2014 at 06:48
• Kay
(Oregon)
Post 1821
 |
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
Susan, my Elliot (passed now) was the biggest tennis ball lover. The only other toy he was ever interested in were ones with stuffing and those never lasted more than about 30 seconds before they were unstuffed and ignored. One day I gave him an old tether ball to play with. He did just like Duffy with trying to bite it and pushing it around. When he finally figured out he was never going to make that ball do what he wanted it to, he started humping it. He appeared happy but I couldn't stand to see him spend all his outside time humping that ball so got rid of it! lol I think because they are so obsessed with balls they feel they need to conquer the larger ones too. Sounds like good exercise for Duffy but if you believe he is stressing about it, I'd keep him away from it.
Forever Elliot's Kay
|
|
Casey
 
Aug 14, 2014 at 12:48
• Theo
(Canada)
Post 2574
|
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
LOL Kay, thanks for the chuckle. We will always love and remember Captain Elliot, he was wonderful.
|
|
Annie and Toby's Monm
Aug 14, 2014 at 08:12
• Mary Ann
(Virginia)
Post 1834
|
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
My friend Marilyn has a Wesite, Loki, and Loki LOVES all types of balls. the behavoir you described is very similar to the way Loki plays with his balls. It's ok for him to play with it, but maybe you should limit it to a few minutes a day. at least until it's no longer a novelty for him. sooo funny how our little ones pick which toys they love!!
Mmary Ann, Annie and Toby
|
|
Sir William
 
Aug 14, 2014 at 09:31
• Allen
(New Jersey)
Post 686
|
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
My Boomer at the bridge loved to play with a basketball. He would chase it and get it to go in the air. Sounds like he really loved to play with the kickball. Don't forget it was the first time he played with it. Maybe restrict his time with the kick ball and use the tennis ball to call him off it. If he does not play a little calmer then I would get rid of the kickball. Good Luck!!!!!
Love Sir William ^--^
|
|
Casey
Aug 14, 2014 at 12:46
• Theo
(Canada)
Post 2573
|
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
If I had Duffy, I think I would put the big ball away for a while and clicker train him. Once he's got that down pat, bring out the ball and limit his time.
I'm posting a link here, maybe the guy in it should be Duffy's playmate heheheeee Hope you enjoy it.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203938207756898
|
|
Susan B
Aug 14, 2014 at 20:51
(USA)
Post 3
|
Re: Strange behavior with kick ball
Thanks so much for all of your comments, suggestions, advice and it was great hearing your experiences with your dogs. Now I feel lucky Duffy is not humping his kick ball. LOL
I gave him the ball again today and it may have been my imagination but it seemed he wasn't quite as frantic but not by much. Again I only let him have it for 15 minutes. I think I will keep it in case I hurt myself and can't take him on his walks. It will be a way for him to burn off some energy. Otherwise I think it will stay in the closet and Duffy will have to make do with his tennis balls. My son wants me to make a video of him before I banish the kick ball forever. If I do that, I'll try to figure out how to post it here.
The turtle video was truly hilarious!
Thanks again for all your responses and best wishes from me and Duffy.
|
|
Terrier Club Pet_Care Forum
to vote for your favorite post or photo
