Obsessed with footballs, tennis balls...

[fionab]

When my 2 yr old British bulldog spies a football or another dogs ball etc and he is off the lead I have no chance of him not running off and stealing the ball.
He has puntured/stolen 4 footballs (which i had to pay for) and once he has a tennis ball or similar he runs off and wont give it back. Its very embarassing and I have to be on my guard all the time if their are people about with frisbees, balls etc.
Any advice? we did basic training as a pup and apart from this he is great. They are not the most trainable breed i know! Has anyone else had this problem?
Thank you!

 

[CAYLA]

You need to work on his recall/basic commands and training him to leave an object/toy upon command. first of all....in your own back garden where there are no distractions.

IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL....to enroll in another training class to carry on with the training you took up when he was a puppy, the trainer would best advise u on the best training methods for this problem as well as teaching him and you some basic training.

Could you also carry out some controlled training in your own garden with a ball......and attempt to swap him a vert tasty treat in exchange for the ball, you could also introduce a clicker for him to assosiate the swap.
Use the treats only to work on his recalls and to offer as a swap for the ball and stop all other treats , so he assosiates the treats u give with this particular excersise...like a delicasy.

Use something tasty he is not used to getting....like cooked chicken or small pieces of cheese...but dont over do it with the cheese.
if he is willing to take the treat in place of the ball.....give him a command i.e LEAVE and use the clicker at the time he takes the treat.
This way you may be able to eventually use the clicker as an aid for him to leave the ball.....it will however take time...lots

I would not allow him to play with balls freely on his own.....only when u wish for him to play with them and try not to get him to frenzied/excitable when playing with them.

I would advise u keep him on the lead if you cant recall him until u have done a little training...if he makes a bee-line for childrens balls.....u could end up in a situation....if a parent decides to take the matter further

GOOD LUCK

 

[fionab]

Thank you...I will try the clicker training I have never tried that with him. He is so crafty and quick though (and stubborn)
You are right about the children too - that is a worry as he weighs so much he could easily knock a child. I have to have my eyes peeled at all times and if in doubt I keep him on the lead.
Thank you for the advice.

 

[prose]

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I would not allow him to play with balls freely on his own.....only when u wish for him to play with them and try not to get him to frenzied/excitable when playing with them.



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Being the owner of a Boston Terrier (bulldog cousin) I know exactly how you feel about tennis ball fixation. Every BT/Bulldog/Frenchie I know is crazy when it comes to playing ball -- and trying to mutilate balls!

I do what Cala suggests. All squeaky/tennis balls remain in the cupboard unless I choose to get them out. We only play with them at the park when she's nice and quiet, and listening to my commands.

And please post a picture of your Bully!

 

[fionab]

I will try and put his tennis balls away ( so far this week he has collected 4 from the park!)

I will also try and get his picture up - new computer so still figuring out!