ball - Page 1

how can i make my 4 months male dog to love ball ...his not interested to it

They make a ball attached to a thin rope.  Drag the ball on the ground so the puppy chases the ball.  Make him work a little, but after about 15 seconds let him have the ball.  Praise him for his efforts.  Ball drive is built after time like building a wall with bricks, one brick at a time.

thx von

Keep rolling it by him,,,tease him and get a ball on a rope .....keep doing it....If you keep him inside....roll down the hallway and keep the ball in front of him three or four times a day...for only a few minutes till he focus's on it.

All this is said provided the dog has sufficient prey drives. If the drives are lacking genetically you can only do that much with your dog:(

i buy balls with squeakers in them they like the cuz balls with the feet on them its worked with all of mine there crazy for balls

Most of a GSD's ball drive is genetic; my GSD/ malamute mix has a ball drive that is just plain SCARY. Problem is that she steals other dog's balls at our local off the leash area...

If a GSD does not have an inherent ball drive, it may be that the dog is more suited to be a compainion or leader dog, or a potential explosives/drug sniffing K9. Also, many rescue dogs have a tendency to find humans in distress instead of playing fetch. I recently buried a rotty mix that was a wonderful dog, but when you threw the ball, he would look at you as if to say, "Nice throw...you want to go get the ball and throw it again?" I really miss the old poop...

I have to agree with Vikram and Nicolesowner, the dog only has what it is born with, sometimes it takes longer to  bring it out. I had a GSD that had absolutely no desire for the ball would not even give it a second look.  But he loved a litle rolled jute with a squeker in it and that transferred to the sleeve really easily.  He just didnt have it.  I have an Asko son now that at 5 months old will jump 2 feet off the ground if I will let him for the ball.  He has so much ball drive that when I take it from him and pull it away if I pull it up he will leap into the air almost the same  height as my head and I am 6' 4".  He was like this from day 1.

Shawn

Part of it may be genetic. You can build through frustration, excitement, and withholding.

If you withhold free time and play. The dog will be that much more likely to show interest. Limit your interaction with the dog and their free time. No play, no walks, no free time. Crate your dog and when they come out, their only option for interaction with you is the ball.

Back tie the dog and bounce the ball or roll the ball in front of them. Be very exciting. When they show a good interest, let them chase it. Only a couple of times, then put them back up. Do this several times a day.

When the dog does start chasing the ball, and they will, play ball down a hallway in the house so their only option is to return to you. The key is being exciting and frustrating the dog.

Sometimes dogs just are not into something. Find out what works for the dog, then transfer it into something else. If the dog likes to play tug, play tug, but then include retrieving with the tug play. If the dog starts playing fetch with  a tug, it usually is not hard to transfer to a ball when they learn the game.

It could also be he is just young and the drive will come later.

Gard

I agree about trying other things, but disagree on the withholding method.  If this pup doesn't have it, he doesn't have it.  When the producers of Cujo went to the animal trainer, he was perplexed why they would want a St. Bernard.  He told them that it would be easier with a GSD, Dobe, Rott, etc.  Sometimes dogs just aren't cut out for certain things. 

If you are looking for a high drive dog, go buy one.   There are plenty of people looking for a nice pet.