My dog, Bailey, is a labradoodle who LOVES to play fetch. She would play fetch all day long, every day if she could…or if I would let her. The day after she had 5 tumors removed with a drain in her, she had the ball and was begging to play fetch. Here she is (pictured above) all bandaged up but putting the ball at my feet, telling me she is fine and ready to play. How could I deny her?! I am definitely guilty of playing fetch for 30 minutes nonstop. My personal instagram handle is @busyplayingfetch, if that doesn’t clue you in about how obsessed Bailey is with fetch and how I would do anything to make my dog happy. I used to let ailey dictate when she was tired and needed a break.
Is there such a thing as too much fetch??
Prior to getting my CCRT, I had never considered that there could be something as too much fetch. However I learned some information that caused me to alter my game of fetch with Bailey.
1. Fetch can signal a canine’s instinct for hunting. They see the ball as “prey” and their drive mechanism takes over. This is the fight or flight that causes adrenaline to be realized into the body. Unlike a human, the dogs cannot recognize what is happening and cannot turn it off.
2. Continuous fetch can foster a compulsive behavior, which causes the dog to be obsessed and unwilling to stop. This can lead to things such as dehydration or heatstroke during hot weather. I remember playing fetch inside with Bailey once to the point where she was jumping over the furniture to get the ball and urinated while jumping because she would not stop playing fetch.
3. The physical adaptations required during a game of fetch can lead to physical injuries. There are quick and explosive movements to begin the chase. Then as approaching the ball, it can often cause a quick deceleration and/or turn in directions. It can also cause “tunnel vision”, in which the dog is so focused on the ball that they don’t see things. This can lead to injuries such as Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) tears, repetitive strain injuries, toe injuries, heat stroke, or broken bones.
What does this mean?
The good news is, we can still play fetch! We just have to be aware of things such as the weather, the environment (clear of obstacles), and our dog’s fatigue level. We have to be in control, not our pup. Limit the amount of throws to about 5, then make your dog rest for several minutes before giving 5 more throws. This will allow the adrenaline to decrease and help prevent the drive instinct from taking over.
Ways to decrease injury with fetch
Fetch is a great way for exercise and makes our dogs happy! We can make modifications to our games to help them stay healthy, active and mentally stimulated.
• Start with a warm up of close, low, and slow throws
• Gradually increase the distance
• Know the signs of fatigue and pain
• Limit your throws to about 5 at a time with long rest periods (several minutes)
• Find alternatives such as walking, jogging, or scent work
• Take more frequent and longer breaks during the summer heat
• Keep your pups at a healthy weight
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