21/01/2024
Why we avoid ball chasing! 🚨
Some dogs will keep bringing the ball back to you until they keel over if not stopped. Have you ever wondered why this is?
The answer is in the hormones released. Chasing and catching a ball taps into the dog's predatory sequence, and causes the brain to release adrenaline for a prolonged period of time. Too much adrenalin has been known to result in heart damage, insomnia, and a jittery, nervous feeling. Alongside this, cortisol is released, the stress hormone, which increases the heart rate and has a negative impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Because it is so rewarding for the dog, a high ball drive dog will continue to perform over and over (even if they're in physical pain). Dogs are known to ignore injuries and thus make them progressively worse while playing fetch. The constant supply of adrenaline is very addictive, and dogs who play fetch a lot will can learn to seek this adrenaline all the time. You will see a dog who is hyperactive, seeks out adrenaline driven behaviour and struggles to settle or engage in calm behaviour. While adrenaline building games are physically tiring, they're mentally exciting. If you look at, for example, mantrailing or scent work, these games release feel good - calming hormones as well as being mentally and physically tiring, in a way that is gentle on the joints.
Effects on the Muscles.
Where the ball goes after being thrown is unpredictable. In response, dogs quickly break, twist, and land in ways that can result in stress and strain on muscles that aren't equipped to handle. To make matters worse, high speeds increase the force generated in the muscle and increase the chances of injury. The most dangerous part of ball chasing is breaking. The movements necessary to stop running often result in shoulder injuries. Dogs are equipped to chase down and catch prey, once. Not over and over and over day in, day out. Contrary to popular belief, we should not physically exhaust our dogs every day- imagine if we ran and jumped to exhaustion ever day- it's not good for them!
Effects on the Joints.
The repetitive twisting, jumping and running during fetch micro-trauma to muscle and cartilage which can progress to long-term damage of the joints. Slipping on landing is common, and while dogs get up unscathed, they are actually ignoring the pain and damage caused by the fall, which again can lead to long term issues.
How to Prevent the Negative Effects of Ball Chasing!
It's okay to play fetch with your dog sometimes, if done as safely as possible and kept to a minimum. Try providing a warm up first, to reduce the risk of damage. Don't throw on surfaces which are slippy, and keep your throw to waist hight to avoid jumping. Better yet, use fetch as a training exercise, by teaching your dog to stay put whole the ball is thrown, meaning they are learning to relax around moving objects and chasing a ball which has already stopped. Find the ball or scent games with the ball are also a great alternative. Make fetch games a small part of your walk, and allow your dog to sniff and " be a dog" for the rest of it. If you have a dog who compulsively fetches, try removing balls from sight. Our border collie has all the toys she fetches away in the cupboard! Dogs can't resist if they can see them!
