Uping the reward/tactic?

[J&J]

Need to change my tactic slightly, as it seems that we’ve resolved one problem but created another

We used tennis balls to improve Ellie’s recall when distracted by other dogs, this has worked and now getting most impressive with it all.. But now what’s manifesting itself with another problem to be solved..

She now got too possessive over her tennis ball, and it took us 20 minutes to get her back on her lead, she was playing avoidance tactics keeping her distance from us, we’ve been using a second tennis ball but even that failed today...

I’m think of a introducing a tuggy type toy, so that I can encourage her back to me get her lead on, but I can play but retain the toy so she’s not off with it... unlike her tennis balls!

Any thoughts of good tuggy type toys that might do the trick, but easy to carry when walking?

[Triksta]

Originally Posted by J&J

Need to change my tactic slightly, as it seems that we’ve resolved one problem but created another

We used tennis balls to improve Ellie’s recall when distracted by other dogs, this has worked and now getting most impressive with it all.. But now what’s manifesting itself with another problem to be solved..

She now got too possessive over her tennis ball, and it took us 20 minutes to get her back on her lead, she was playing avoidance tactics keeping her distance from us, we’ve been using a second tennis ball but even that failed today...

I’m think of a introducing a tuggy type toy, so that I can encourage her back to me get her lead on, but I can play but retain the toy so she’s not off with it... unlike her tennis balls!

Any thoughts of good tuggy type toys that might do the trick, but easy to carry when walking?

Just carry a pocket full of treats

Most dogs will come for food and they eat it straight away so no avoidance games with them running off with it

I was assuming Ellie wasn't food orientated, hence the tennis balls?

A cheap tuggy toy I made was a bike inner tube (remove the metal valve) tie the ends in a knot so the tube forms a loop. You can wear this across your body on walks; will be easy to carry.

[J&J]

She's treat motivated, but sadly not on this type of occasions yep hence the tennis ball..

Good idea the bicycal inner tube, got a spare one for Hubby's bike out in the shed, so can knock one up for the morning...

[Sully Monster]

I had the exact same problem except my boy would also steal other dogs' balls and then not come close enough for me to take them off him. Mine wouldnt come back for food at all so like you I had to have imagination.

The way I cure it was by putting him on a long line and tying this to a goal post. He was too strong for me to walk with the long line and did actually take off once with me ended up flat on my back - not pretty. Anway what i did was tied him on a 10m long line to the post and then did lots of training and playing with the ball and then if he wouldnt bring it back i could just reel him in and as soon as i had it throw it again for him. Like you i had more than one. I actually took a back pack full of toys and training aids and he loved it - kept trying to raid the bag for the toys. I did this for about a month and it worked really well.

ETA - I tried a tuggy type game for reward and it wasnt a high enough value to him and wasnt bothered by it

[lauraburns]

Could you not use a ball on a rope, as you know she loves the ball?
Tennis Ball 30:15 with Rope: Great Deals on Dog Toy Balls at zooplus

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Anni

I was assuming Ellie wasn't food orientated, hence the tennis balls?

A cheap tuggy toy I made was a bike inner tube (remove the metal valve) tie the ends in a knot so the tube forms a loop. You can wear this across your body on walks; will be easy to carry.

Or even a bit of old rag with a knot in it,.. never any need to pay out money for a good tug toy

[lauraburns]

I have used a pair of old sock for my tug toys! Knot them together and Hey Presto!