In The Category Of "I Never Would Have Thought Of That"
For Fetch Oriented Dogs
Avoid Sticks and Frisbees
(And Some Better Options)
Why I Recommend Avoiding Sticks
I’m not one to bubble wrap children or dogs, but still, I advise clients with dogs that love to play ‘fetch’ to resist using sticks for that activity unless they’re willing to take the time to teach the dog how to pick a stick up.
I’ve sooner or later seen too many of my own ‘live to fetch’ dogs pick up a stick by the end, instead of the middle, and come pelting back and at some point in the high-speed retrieve, dip their head enough to drive the end of the stick, into the ground. You can use your imagination to visualize the outcome.
Check(If your dog is already addicted to sticks, you can purchase a ‘flexible’ stick, and see if you can transition him or her to something less risky. (See bottom of the article for an image.)
Why I Recommend Avoiding Frisbees
As ‘cool’ as those YouTube videos of dogs leaping high in the air to snatch a thrown Frisbee out of the air may seem, this sort of activity can’t be good a dog’s joints. There’s nothing the matter with a vigorous activity that combines cardiovascular and agility, but ask any veteran, and, or retired NBA player how their knees are and then chose an outlet with better long-term prospects for your dog.(1.)
1. Impact of Knee Injuries on Post-retirement Pain and Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Professional Basketball Players
What I Do Recommend
Kong On A Rope (With Some Tips)
I recommend steering that drive (ideally while the dog is a still pup) towards a Kong on a rope that can double as a tug or one of those ball ‘flingers.’ I prefer the Kong on a rope as when it hits the ground; it bounces in a more challenging (prey-like) way that most dogs seem to enjoy and likely gives them a more balanced body workout. The rope part allows you to introduce tug-of-war, which can add more incentive and the opportunity to teach “Leave It” when your dog is in a “high-spirited” mind set.
The advantage of the ball ‘flingers’ (if you’re as I am – the worst throwing arm in the Northern Hemisphere) is you can impress your dog by getting some serious distance.
Added Bonus - Fewer Nail Trims?
Toss a Kong on an asphalt or concrete surface and it bounces hither thither wearing their nails down fairly quickly. Don’t do it more than for a minute or two and only once a week at most. While it wears their nails down enough that you won’t have to clip them manually, it will also wear the pads of their feet raw unbelievably quickly.
If you’re going to use a Kong on a rope to also play tug and your dog is large and strong enough you may need to thread the rope through a washer before you knot the end and thread it through.
Red Kong Vs Black Kong Vs Aqua Kong
The color you select has more to do with whether you’re going to include a Kong as an independent chew toy. Choose black for the tough chewer and red for the regular chewer. (Red is easier to find.) The Aqua Kong floats and comes with a rope already attached.
Tips
- A washer will help prevent the knot from pulling through when tug of war is included in the toy’s duties.
- Have a chewed through or a partially chewed through leash? Re-purpose, as I did in the image with a chewed through leather leash. (Yes, even I mistakes. :))
- Us a rope that floats if your Kong doesn’t float as if it ends up in a pond you may be able to see and hopefully reach the floating rope if the water’s not too deep.
Amazon Links
Chuck It
The advantage of the ball ‘flingers’ (if you’re as I am – the worst throwing arm in the Northern Hemisphere) is that (when your dog is ready for it) you can impress your dog by getting some serious distance.
Amazon Links
Rubber Stick
If starting from scratch I’d just stick to the options above, but if you find you just can’t break your dog’s stick addiction it’s worth a try.
Amazon Link
Disclosure
It is possible that some of the links I provide (on my websites or in emails etc.) to places where you can purchase any of the products I personally have used and therefore recommend may result in a small (trust me, it’s very small, but it does help to keep the lights on) portion of your purchase being directed to my own coffers. I do periodically review these links to make sure that the price is the best or close to the best, but feel free to do your own online and local store research.
John Wade
