Fixation

[Huckmummy]

Hi,

I'm hoping to get some advice about my dog. He is a recent addition to the family, having been picked up from the local rescue home a couple of months ago.

He's about two years old and a beautiful, loving and very friendly german shepherd-staffie cross (as far as we can tell!). Our only problem is that he is completely fixated on the ball when we play fetch. When we throw the ball he will fetch, return to heel and lie down beautifully but then it's near impossible to get him to release the ball. He just looks at us! We've tried everything from coaxing (completely ignored) to bribery (not interested in food when the ball is around) to yelling (again, ignored).

Please help - he's such a great dog that it seems a shame to not be able to play ball together!

[divadexie]

Have you worked on the 'leave'/'drop' command with something that is not a ball?
If you can get him to drop every time- not forgetting to praise and reward for doing so- then start doing it with the ball. But- when he drops, produce another ball from behind your back and throw it, using the ball as the reward.

[glaiza]

I agree with what diva said, it's often helpful to have a second ball handy. What you can do is this - when your dog refuses to drop the ball, start playing with the second ball. Act like you're having such a great time with the ball, toss it in the air or something like that. When your dog starts to pay attention to the second ball, he will most likely forget about the first one. As soon as you get your dog's attention - get him to focus on the second ball and then throw it. Retrieve the first ball as soon as your dog goes off on the chase for the second one.

[Sandi]

Hi, as stated above distraction is a good method to get the dog to release but make sure the dog is praised so that the reward/praise is associated with letting go. To avoid possesivness I never let a dog "own" anything. Be it a seat in the house, food, a bone, toys etc. I try to make the dog realise that it can only eat, play & associate in the house by my command. This avoids any confrontation issues & makes the dog focus on me a lot more. Use different toys, Sandi has a stick fixation, my fault, which causes her to slowly become more possesive the longer we play. I just stop the game & walk away until she is thinking about some thing else. Be patient, consistent & apply the same method in all enviroments. Go back to sit/stay before you throw the ball, release the dog to fetch & make it sit/stay on retrieve then give. You stay in control from start to finish & the dog should think it is working for you. Have fun

[Mary]

hi, thanks for all the advice. i never knew our dog was fixated on his toy (a toy rope with tennis balls) but i think that is what has been happening. will try all the tips that you shared here. thanks again!

[glaiza]

Hi guys, how are you getting along with getting your dog to play catch right? I finally got my dogs to do it properly, but it did take a while. I was not very consistent and as you know, that's very important.