Tennis ball freak terrier

[Ranyhyn]

My almost 2 year old terrier Roly, has started being a very naughty little tyke.

When he gets (finds/steals because he isnt allowed them) a tennis ball he runs away and will not come to me. His recall (sans tennis ball) is perfect, he is fully aware of the fact I have cheese/markies in my hands but he will not come back.

I am frustrated as last night i was out in the sand dunes in the dark! because he wouldnt come to me. The other frustrating matter is the bitch follows him in full voice!!

I don't want to have to keep him on the lead, but how do you convince a dog to come back when he doesn't even want food off you? I can't physically catch him as he's too fast and even trying to lasoo him doesn't work

I am thinking of getting him a muzzle so he can't pick anything up - but people will think he's nasty and he's amazingly friendly and submissive in reality.

Help please, I am at my wits end with the little beggar!

 

[soloabe]

Maybe take a magic tennis ball with you that only comes out on walks and then when he finds something show him that you have the tennis ball and hope he comes back for it. Put him on his lead give him the ball for a few minutes until you have walked way past what ever interested him then take the ball back and let him off again.
Worth a try maybe. It worked with our stick freak dog.

 

[Hettie]

I understand your pain!! My JRT is the same... but in his case a squeeky toy trumps a tennies ball and I have "an emergency sqeeky" with me when walling (when I remember..)!!!

 

[Ranyhyn]

Good idea, thanks both, if I take a tennis ball I just have to hope he'll think its better than the one he's got!! He's a very sharp young pup and knows when I'm trying to catch him

either that or I'll hae to start taking a net on walks lol

Kitty

 

[katie_and_toto]

Teddy the terrier will completely ruin a tennis ball in 10 minutes

He pulls all the 'fluff' off them and then rips it in half

He too will not come back if he's got a toy, am working on it in the garden, small space so he can't run off. Try different treats, like sausage, and teach him a 'drop it' command

 

[Ranyhyn]

Thanks KaT - he knows well how to drop it, its just far FAR more funny for him to run amok!

I took a tennis ball out with me the other day and when he found a stubby stick he started fandango-ing with I produced it.

Never seen a stick dropped so fast and he was glued to me for the rest of the walk!!