Am I being unreasonable as to people and these ball throwers?I don’t use one as I like to keep him within recall range, but I have used the same field for many years and when I had just the one springer I took him over there with no ball but just to run around and exercise before going off to work. Now there was just a handful of people that used it too, but we all knew each other and the temperaments of each others dogs, fast forward 11 years and a dog boom here since lockdown and a influx of people with their dogs and ball throwers, now I have no qualms about exercising their dog but as you maybe aware that my pup is very ball oriented(obsessed), his recall is not 100% ( springer stubborness) still in training, my problem is that they know he is and will subsequently throw the ball in the direction of my dog knowing full well he’s a ball thief and will run off with it and his own. They then look at me like it’s my fault waiting for me to call him back. I then look at them as if to say well it’s your fault and not mine, as I was trying to keep him away, we have a hedge in the middle of the field and I will stay the opposite side to what they are but they seem to think that they have to own the whole entire field with a ball and this said ball thrower, walk the entire place just to throw this ball. I don’t want to go off on one but every morning is the same and particularly one person. It’s infuriating and I’m getting to the point where I’m going to have to say something and it won’t be nice.
It's very difficult to change other's behaviors. Especially when they think it's you who is being a problem. You might try turning it into a game. They throw the ball towards your dog and your dog chases it, so simply throw your ball to that person. Basically, you are saying "thanks for throwing the ball for my dog, here's another". After a few times, they may realize you aren't going to reprimand your dog for being a dog and start to throw their ball in another direction. They may ask why you keep throwing them another ball - if so, just state "to replace the one you threw to my dog" with a friendly smile. Don't get aggressive or in their face, keep it light and happy. If they are doing it on purpose for some reason, then this is backfiring it. They aren't getting the response they want - your dog isn't getting called off and you aren't getting irritated. Yet, you are acknowledging that your dog took their ball so they don't have reason to complain that you are the problem. If it's just accidental (some people can't work out how to aim with the throwers), then you are acknowledging that your dog took their ball without punishing your dog for being a dog. Either way, it may get them to put more effort into throwing it away from your dog.
That’s a good idea, thank you for the suggestion but I’m trying to bring his recall into check and for him to sit and wait, while I throw his ball for him to fetch on a wait and get on command and to me if he’s playing ball with someone else then he won’t be listening to me because he wants to play ball because there’s is more fun. I don’t want to keep putting him on a long line, for 1 he runs like a bullet and I won’t be able to stand on it quick enough or I will do damage to one of us mainly him and 2 if I hold on to it then he’s going to pull me over. I wouldn’t mind but half the time their dog doesn’t even pick up the ball and return with it so they end up walking near enough up to us to retrieve that ball to throw it again. I hold my dogs collar and his ball and he will stare at his own ball knowing I have it until they walk away, I just want a little space to myself to train his recall wait and fetch that’s all.
The only other options are to: 1. Calmly and in a friendly manner start talking to them when you are out there about dogs in general. Then maybe say something like "I envy you your easy going dog. My guy just can't pass up chasing a ball and I'm having a heck of a time training him to sit & wait and recall because he is obsessed with the balls.". Then maybe ask for help in your training - maybe suggesting you stand on opposite sides and throw a ball towards each other back and forth so you are throwing the ball towards them for their dog to chase and they throw the ball towards you for your dog to chase. You can then hold your dog back on your throw and give him the go ahead on their throw. I find that trying to turn it into a "can you help me with my dog?" request gets better results than other conversations. 2. Find another place to do your training or go at a different time of day when that person isn't around. Outside of that, you are in a public space and people will do as they wish and there really isn't much you can do about it. And if you say something not nice to them, then they are just going to amp things up on their end in retaliation.
Thank you for the suggestions, yes I agree that it is a public space and that I can’t stop them and yes I don’t want to sound that I’m trying to be awkward and they should get out of my space. Yes my other option is to probably find somewhere else that has fewer people on, I think I will have to have a word with my brother and talk nicely to him as he has a field that he keeps cows in, now it’s winter they will be in the shed, see if he will let me use it to do some training on. This said person is not a person that would try and remotely help you with anything as they just have a look like they couldn’t give a monkeys ( a your dog, your problem you sort it) look and another one is always on their phone usually not taking any notice unless they are throwing a ball. But I honestly do appreciate your suggestions and to see if I was being unreasonable about it aswell
I would find another place, or alter my routine to avoid them. My friend has a ball fixated Border Collie and she uses one of these chuckers. She usually finds a space on her own, but one day last week, a chap with a well-mannered Lab came on to the same field. There were few words spoken, but they began throwing alternately, at first in opposite directions, then across each other's line. The BC was held back for the Lab's turn, but the man took the opportunity to proof his control using just a spoken command. I was impressed! It can be so pleasant when you meet up with a sensible dog owner.
You never know about them if you don't try. They may just blow you off, but they could end up surprising you. If they blow you off, you are no worse for wear.
I think I’m going to have to Carole, but the only reason I do it there is so he gets used to other people being around with other dogs, which I might add he isn’t really that bothered about other dogs when they are walking around it’s when he claps eyes on the ball being thrown and I am trying to teach him that not every ball is his and he can’t have what he wants when he wants it, he has to sit and wait and go when I say he’s allowed, he does also get free play there too, but whilst I’m teaching him I would prefer that they stay from my side with their ball or don’t throw it where I am. @Toedtoes i know what you mean and I have tried to speak to this person in general when they first got their dog and they are not big on conversation as to listen, their other half is totally opposite to them but I don’t think they would try and help as they don’t take the dog out in the morning and I very rarely seen them. I don’t like confrontation and don’t want to sound like I’m looking for trouble as to stopping people doing what they want with their dogs, otherwise I’d be there everyday telling people they can’t use it and I don’t want them to use it,( and if someone said that to me if the shoe was on the other foot I’d laugh) that’s defeating the whole thing, but I will wait as I do before letting him off while they are throwing it if they was there first, out of respect, but if I give it then I would like a little in return. If that makes sense and doesn’t sound obnoxious?
I have learned that I care more about how I affect others than others care how they affect me. It IS annoying, but there's not much we can do about it. My answer has been to minimize my dependence upon the goodwill and concern of others. It might be better to focus on the training aspects separately. Use your time at the field to teach him to focus on you and not random balls being tossed around. Don't bring a ball at all to that field. Work to get and keep his attention around the activity going on. Then, use your brother's field (or other solitary location) to work with him on recall and waiting for a cue to go after the ball. Once he's learned both separately you can start working on them in tandem.
Thank you, that sounds like a better option, he is very easy to teach when he listens, for example he used to chase the crows off when they follow us around after many a leave it, he just runs past them now with a side eye look, so yeah maybe if I do that while they have their fun with their throwers I should repeat it for that too and hopefully fingers crossed he will get it. Much appreciated for the advice
Sometimes it helps to bounce ideas around. Throwing out ideas hopefully helps you brainstorm your own solution that works for you.
I might add since writing this, that said person seems to have cottoned on and has stayed away, like opposite sides from me so if I’m at the bottom of the field they will be at the top and now walks the same way as myself so not to distract mine. Which has been a revelation. So I’m hoping it now stays this way and we can all share the said space with no grating teeth looks. Happy days.
