Five Fun Ideas for Ball-Crazy Dogs
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Dec 18, 2023
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 18, 2023
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
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Balls are one of the most popular dog toys around. Not only do they help satisfy a dog’s instinct to chase, but they also make excellent training tools and provide hours of fun. But throwing balls to your dog in the backyard can grow old, even for the dog.
Five Ideas for Ball-Crazy Dogs
Fortunately, there are many other activities you can do with your pup that involve ball play. Don’t let your pup just sit around all day! Shoot, even cats need exercise.
From participating in a dog sport to engaging your dog in a ball game for people, here are five fun ideas to try with your ball-crazy dog.
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#1 — Train for a Ball-Focused Dog Sport
Dog sports have become the craze for people seeking fun things to do with their dogs. For the ball-crazy hound, two sports, in particular, fit the bill: Flyball and Treibball. Flyball is a team sport that involves dogs racing relay-style on a course that includes jumping hurdles and catching a ball from a spring-loaded box.
In Treibball, just you and your dog play the game, where the dog drives large exercise balls toward a goal, under your direction. Dogs of all breeds can participate in most dog sports, including Flyball and Treibball. Check your local dog training club for classes.
#2 — Introduce a New Ball
All it takes to prevent boredom in some ball-crazy dogs is a new ball toy. If you visit a pet store or do an online search, you’ll quickly discover a variety of ball toys available for dogs. Today’s favorites include balls that wobble and make noise, ball puzzle toys that dispense treats, and glow-in-the-dark balls for nighttime fun.
Of course, tennis balls are a popular, inexpensive option. Try tossing two or more of them during your next game of fetch to keep it interesting. Whenever introducing a new toy to your dog, make sure it’s the proper size, strength, and material to avoid injury or choking.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
#3 — Practice Skills Using Balls
Ball play is a good way to practice important skills with your dog–and not just retrieving. By teaching your dog to catch a ball in midair or drop balls into a bucket or through a mini basketball hoop, you can help him learn and fine-tune his coordination skills.
You can also work on listening skills by scattering multiple balls on the floor and practicing “leave it” and “take it” on command. Keep training sessions fun by using different types of balls, offering variations on the tasks, rewarding success with praise and small treats, and keeping skills training sessions short.
#4 — Include Your Dog in a Ball Game for People
Ball-crazy dogs love all sorts of ball games, even (and sometimes especially) those designed for people. And there isn’t a shortage of people ball games that you can play with your dog. Try a variation of hide-and-seek, where you hide your dog’s favorite ball or balls and then set him loose to find them.
Or, engage your dog in a one-on-one match of tetherball or in your next kickball, soccer, or baseball game. You can also practice tennis together, with your dog as the ball boy. Playing ball games with your dog provides fun and exercise for both of you.
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#5 — Find Another Ball-Crazy Dog
Ball play can be doubly fun when your dog has another canine partner. Dogs can take turns catching the ball, chase balls together, or play tug of war with balls. Ball play with another dog offers socialization as well as plenty of exercise for all participants.
When enlisting another dog in any kind of play, be sure the dogs are compatible and the interaction is healthy and good-natured. It’s important to supervise activity between two or more dogs, particularly if any of the dogs tend to get aggressive or territorial.
The above ideas will keep your ball-crazy dog happy, active, and stimulated. And what could be better for you than watching your dog having a ball?
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Benefits of Playing Ball
Playing ball with your dog (however you play) is the best way for you AND your dog to get some exercise. A lot of dogs don’t get nearly enough exercise, which can lead to health problems.
Those health problems can lead to a poor life for your furry friend and to some expensive vet bills. Instead of binge-watching Netflix, go find a way to play with your ball crazed dog.
If you like these fun ideas, you’ll love the other tips and tricks we have on the blog!
If you want to protect your dog, consider buying a pet insurance policy. It helps both you and your furry friend.
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What are the benefits of playing ball with your dog, as mentioned in the content?
Playing ball with your dog is highlighted as an excellent way for both you and your dog to get exercise. It helps prevent health problems that can arise from insufficient physical activity, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life for your furry friend.
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To find the best rates for dog and puppy insurance, you can enter your ZIP code on the website. This allows you to view companies that offer cheap pet insurance rates.
What are some fun ideas for ball-crazy dogs mentioned in the content?
The content suggests various activities for ball-crazy dogs, including participating in dog sports like Flyball and Treibball, introducing new ball toys, practicing skills using balls, including dogs in ball games for people, and letting dogs play with another ball-crazy dog for socialization and exercise.
Why is pet insurance recommended in the content?
Pet insurance is recommended as it can cover up to 90% of vet bills when a pet is sick or injured. It serves as a financial safeguard for pet owners, helping manage unexpected healthcare costs for their furry companions.
Who is Dr. Pippa Elliott, the reviewed veterinarian mentioned in the content?
Dr. Pippa Elliott is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow and works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Dr. Elliott is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice and is involved in veterinary writing.
How can I train my dog to play Treibball, as mentioned in the content?
The content references a video on YouTube about how to train your dog to play Treibball. You can watch the video at the provided link: Treibball Training Video.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.