Discussion
Hi,
So we acquired a new dog two years ago and it was pretty well trained and three or four years old at the time. It liked playing fetch and did this knowing the difference between fetching a ball, stick or a rope we played tug with. He was trained to bring items back to the thrower and drop them at their feet and then stand back. I presume given the size of the dogs mouth and muscles. Anyway we had an existing dog and there was obviously going to be competition. As they did not get along well at first I had played with the new dog a lot before they eventually played together however the old dog considered the balls I was throwing to be his and upon trying to play catch he would hog the ball and not return it. Consequently the new dog replicated this behaviour and he did not want to give it up either. The question is how do I get the new dog to give up the ball easily now? I largely stooped playing ball with him because I'd throw he'd fetch and not give it back..
So we acquired a new dog two years ago and it was pretty well trained and three or four years old at the time. It liked playing fetch and did this knowing the difference between fetching a ball, stick or a rope we played tug with. He was trained to bring items back to the thrower and drop them at their feet and then stand back. I presume given the size of the dogs mouth and muscles. Anyway we had an existing dog and there was obviously going to be competition. As they did not get along well at first I had played with the new dog a lot before they eventually played together however the old dog considered the balls I was throwing to be his and upon trying to play catch he would hog the ball and not return it. Consequently the new dog replicated this behaviour and he did not want to give it up either. The question is how do I get the new dog to give up the ball easily now? I largely stooped playing ball with him because I'd throw he'd fetch and not give it back..
He thinks it's his ball and that he wins it everytime. Then he enjoys you chasing him around to get his ball. You need to reinforce your dominance over the ball. Try having the ball and not letting him have it at all. Make the point that you can do anything you like with it, even play alone and let him see you. Then and only if he obeys commands or behaves well let him share your play in a confined space where you can take the ball back. Reward good behaviour and retrain him.
That's how I'd start. Good luck.
That's how I'd start. Good luck.
Interesting, I'll give that a go. He can see me through the glass doors so that should be easy. He does actually learn new tricks very easily. I taught himself to spin around in just a few sessions of practice. He let's me hide his treats down the corridor and waits in a room blocking his view until I tell him to find them.
IAmTheWalrus said:
Hi,
So we acquired a new dog two years ago and it was pretty well trained and three or four years old at the time. It liked playing fetch and did this knowing the difference between fetching a ball, stick or a rope we played tug with. He was trained to bring items back to the thrower and drop them at their feet and then stand back. I presume given the size of the dogs mouth and muscles. Anyway we had an existing dog and there was obviously going to be competition. As they did not get along well at first I had played with the new dog a lot before they eventually played together however the old dog considered the balls I was throwing to be his and upon trying to play catch he would hog the ball and not return it. Consequently the new dog replicated this behaviour and he did not want to give it up either. The question is how do I get the new dog to give up the ball easily now? I largely stooped playing ball with him because I'd throw he'd fetch and not give it back..
Does that happen when the two dogs are together and playing fetch with the balls? My Springer is ball obsessed and will happily drop the ball on your lap as he wants you to throw it, but if his brother is in close vicinity he wont give it up as he thinks it will be stolen. So we acquired a new dog two years ago and it was pretty well trained and three or four years old at the time. It liked playing fetch and did this knowing the difference between fetching a ball, stick or a rope we played tug with. He was trained to bring items back to the thrower and drop them at their feet and then stand back. I presume given the size of the dogs mouth and muscles. Anyway we had an existing dog and there was obviously going to be competition. As they did not get along well at first I had played with the new dog a lot before they eventually played together however the old dog considered the balls I was throwing to be his and upon trying to play catch he would hog the ball and not return it. Consequently the new dog replicated this behaviour and he did not want to give it up either. The question is how do I get the new dog to give up the ball easily now? I largely stooped playing ball with him because I'd throw he'd fetch and not give it back..
Perhaps try the new dog on his own with the ball without the other dog around and see if the behaviour stays the same.
As the other poster has said the ball is a high value prize for him, so you need to find something that is more higher in value to reward him to dropping it at your feet. Do you reward him with treats if he brings the ball back to you?
moorx said:
Two balls.
Unless he can fit two in his mouth at the same time (some dogs can) he will probably drop one to chase the other.
My springer has learned to do that as well. He keeps one in his mouth, will barge his brother out the way for the other and then proceed to ram both in his mouth. Unless he can fit two in his mouth at the same time (some dogs can) he will probably drop one to chase the other.
Well I believe its because he thinks that the ball will be stolen and both dogs can fit two balls in their mouths. To be fair it's silly because the garden has balls everywhere both tennis and football sizes amongst other dog toys including a rope, cuddly toys, rubber toys. Curiously one of the dogs had arranged big balls on one side of the garden shed and small ones on the other one day. The new dog has such Jaws he destroys everything so we keep on buying more and more.
For better longevity I went to the effort to buy a toy labelled indestructible and he promptly destroyed it.
For better longevity I went to the effort to buy a toy labelled indestructible and he promptly destroyed it.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff