GSDs and tennis balls Questions

Thanks all for sharing your ideas and views. Typically Zak found half a tennis ball in some undergrowth on our walk this afternoon, but I soon confiscated it - much to his annoyance!

i recently read this:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/forum.read?mnr=630271&pagen=1

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Cain is ball mad....but for one specific type of ball only

He will only play with Kong Air squeaky tennis balls. I have tried hard balls, soft balls, balls on rope etc, he totally ignores them. I even went to the trouble of ordering Kong Air tennis balls on a rope (only avaliable in America)....and he refused to play with them

The ball is such a useful training tool as he really does love them so I continue to use them. Thankfully he doesn't chew them to pieces or shred them and I never throw them up so they come directly down in his throat, so hopefully we're bring as safe as possible. Not had any problems yet...

That is EXACTLY the sort of scenario that scares me silly! Thank goodness Farvo's owner acted so quickly.

I have never had this type of problem, as my dogs will play with just about any toy - although none have ever been particularly keen on those hard plastic frisbees.

You should perhaps try ...

http://www.traininglines.co.uk/fantastic-foam-ball-on-a-rope.html

My dogs absolutely love these, but (as I said) my dogs are not really fussy where toys are concerned

I've tried those, both on and off ropes. He point blank refuses any ball on a rope (even his favourite Kong squeaky ball) :?

Strange dog ;-)

I wish that was the strangest thing about him but I have a whole list....

Tennis balls banned here, they wouldn't last long with my dogs. It's a shame as a relative works in the sports industry and I could have a never ending supply. Currently the favourite toy is a frisbee, I just need to find a good quality make.

Star mark do a brilliant foam flyer. Of course Sir Picky here won't play with it but it's brilliant

The Easy Glider is made by the same people who make the FFB on a rope.

I like it because it is light, it floats, it does not shatter and as it is foam teeth do not destroy it.

Obviously you would never leave one alone with a dog as they can shred it, but again, had my current ones for over two years and my GSD destroys kong wubbas, air kongs, etc in seconds.

http://www.traininglines.co.uk/easy-glider-and-easy-glider-max.html

another tennis ball thread I had visions of being a mouse-click away from a war

Loui has Orbee and Fantastic Foam balls on a rope and they can both go in the water. I also feel they are quite safe for him compared to a tennis ball as those pet/cheap tennis balls just split in the middle and break up inside.

This is what Loui used to be like at one point. Eventually I just stopped offering him anything but what I wanted him to have. He still would go mad for them if I brought them home but he will only get these as an occasional toy now. It was working out to cost a fortune to keep him in squeaky balls, so he plays mainly with the Orbee ball on a rope now OR his Orbo toy which, again is GREAT if they like to chase, catch,pounce etc as well as just bringing them back. This is because they bounce in different directions, skittle along the ground...he loves his. And again I feel safer as it has that funny shape and the holes at each end.


I dont feel Loui would be at high risk of having issues with a Kong Air Ball if its now and again, but still...

Aww you love him really

Ooh they look good. I think they may be on the shopping list for next time.

A tennis ball war?? Ooh what have I missed?! That one must have totally passed me by

I also used to have an Orbee ball, which I really liked, but that was another one that got lost

No idea where that thread is, probably lucky you avoided it

Thanks MM & SB, will look for those. May find one at Windsor dog show next week.