09/03/2024
🥎Ball throwers!
⁉️They're great right?
🥎 They save you bending down.
🥎 You don't have to pick up and carry wet, slobbery, slimy balls!
🥎 It's the only way you can tire out your energetic pooch!
❓ But at what cost?
🐾 Repeatedly throwing a ball can cause long lasting joint problems, sprains and strains and early onset arthritis.
🐾 Chasing after the ball at full speed then coming to an abrupt stop can tear dew claws and graze the carpal pad (stop pad).
🐾It can also escalate behavioural problems in breeds with obsessive tendencies, such as collies and spaniels.
👮♀️We don't wish to be the fun police, playing with toys with your dog builds bonds, the interaction you both have is fun.
❓ Think about other ways of playing with the ball rather than just throwing it constantly? Get your dog to sit & stay whilst you go ahead and hide the ball in the grass / behind a tree. Then send them to go find. Or randomly drop the ball whilst you are walking and send them to go find.
🧠👃 Engaging their brains and allowing them to sniff, mentally tires them out. This can be more beneficial than just physical activity.
If you do have a dog that is showing signs of pain, is elderly and slowing down
https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Has some excellent advice.
