Ball obsession

[Plum's mum]

Plum is not discerning when it comes balls, come one, come all is her motto and if she can’t find a ball when we’re out she’ll find a stick (which I ignore) or a pine cone! She regularly trots off thinking she’s found a ball and it’s a leaf or a bit of rubbish or a piece of a ball, much to her disappointment.

I taught her to give me a ball quite late on, as in, she wasn’t a pup, and it didn’t take long for her to catch on (she was probably about 18 months). I also used to ask her to give me bits of litter when we were at the Rec to save me bending down, but I haven’t done that for a while!

She will always bring the ball back once thrown because she loves to fetch so much but when it’s time to go home she won’t release the ball. I just let her carry it home as once we’re in she’ll drop it and she won’t chew on it.

 

[Naya]

Harley used to be the same, but with a lot of training, she will now give the ball back to me. I always had 2 balls so i could encourage her to drop one to get the 2nd one. It took a lot of time, but was worth it. She’s also very happy for others to take her ball - she follows them u til they drop it, then pinches it and runs back to me with it.

 

[Joy]

Also can’t get the vision of you in a small room with Molly and a dead seagull out of my mind

No I did it outside but had her on lead so she couldn't scarper with it! But the principle is the same I think. I had to wait a long time for her to hand it over the first time (I sat down to wait) and her face when i handed it back was a picture!