My dog is coonhound and lab. She loves to be my running buddy and do scent games. She also LOVES balls. I have a chuckit I keep in a closet and she often goes and stares at the closet asking to play.
This has always been an issue as you can't leave balls out she will shred them. Please don't suggest tougher balls to me, she will shred anything.
I used to play with two balls and that would get her to drop the ball, now she won't do that. The ball throwing sessions get shorter and shorter now because she just won't drop the ball anymore. She knows the drop command very well. I used to try all different treats to reward "drop" in hopes it would keep things going. Now if you pull out a treat, she thinks the game will end and will not drop the ball.
When I say won't drop the ball, I mean won't eat won't drink. She will just exist infinitely with the ball in her mouth. No other toy/ball/treat/running/swimming will get her over it. She will eventually wait until she thinks no one is watching and shred it. If you get lucky, you can grab it then.
She has antlers around the house, but she can't have any other toys. This makes me sad for her. Should I really eliminate toys altogether? I've gotten that advice from three trainers who basically gave up. What activities can we do to replace this?
submitted by /u/Swimming_Review_6175
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