ball obsession

[juliefurry]

I need help with Hannah. She is OBSESSED with balls. She will grab balls out of people's hands (not mine just anyone else's). She grabs so quickly that sometimes she will bite hands and fingers. Today my niece and nephew were outside playing with Hannah's tennis ball and Hannah was chasing the ball and when my nephew went to catch it Hannah went to grab it and accidentally bit him and broke the skin and made him bleed. Now I was not out there and I am assuming there was some teasing involved but can not be sure. Even inside if a kid picks up a ball in the house she will just walk up and grab it from them. Is there anyway I can train her not to do this?

[good_dog]

I would do some "doggie zen" exercises with her.

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/Lesson3.html

First I'd use treats, then medium-value toys, then the largest ball you can keep in your hand, then her regular ball. When you switch from treats to toys, use the retrieve instead of a treat for a reward, but only about 1/4 of the time, on lead, with very short retrieves (basically, just throw the ball directly to her). When she is doing well on this lesson with you, enlist a helper to hold the treats while you click and reward. Go through the entire process again. Then again, with a different helper. Continue until she is reliable with everyone.

Remember to keep sessions very short (I aim for about 12-20 clicks per session, or two minutes, whichever comes first).

Beth