Summer is finally here and Wimbledon is in full swing, which is the perfect time to serve up awareness about ball play and fetch with dogs. While these activities may seem harmless and fun, they can have significant implications on our dogs’ well-being and behaviour. In this blog post, we will explore why WagWorks actually discourages ball play and fetch, shedding light on the potential risks they pose to our canine companions. 

1. Ball play increases adrenaline levels

The intense focus on chasing and retrieving a ball can push a dog’s arousal levels to the extreme, making it difficult for them to calm down afterwards. This high arousal state can have the following implications: 

• Inability to focus and learn 
• Heightened reactivity making it hard for them to interact calmly with their surroundings
• Displacement behaviours such as biting at the lead and mounting behaviours
• Inability to settle
• Separation anxiety behaviours

Adrenaline levels also can take 2-6 days to return to normal, meaning the impact on a dog’s wellbeing is much longer than people might think.

2. A game of fetch can encourage dogs to pursue moving objects, without even thinking about it

Regular engagement in ball play and fetch can teach dogs to pursue moving objects instinctively, without considering potential dangers. This can be particularly hazardous in urban areas, with lots of fast-moving objects such as cyclists and runners, or at the beach, where conditions can change quickly and unpredictably. 

3. The movements in ball play can contribute to muscular and skeletal problems

The repetitive and high-impact nature of ball play can put a strain on a dog’s muscles and skeletal systems. Landing in awkward positions, twisting mid-air or exerting excessive force on certain areas of their body can add strain over time which could result in significant injury or conditions, such as arthritis and cruciate ligament issues. 

Further to this, pain-relieving endorphins are released along with adrenaline, meaning repetitive strain can often go unnoticed until much later.

4. Engaging in ball games can result in the loss of social skills

The allure of the ball can become overwhelming for dogs, leading to obsessive behaviours, which hinder the dog’s desire to develop and maintain healthy social relationships. 

5. Playing with a ball encourages a bite instinct and can make a bite, even if accidental, much harder and more powerful

The repetitive nature of gripping and carrying a ball can contribute to lack of bite inhibition, meaning dogs can become more hard-mouthed when being rewarded with a treat or engaging in social play with other dogs. 

6. Ball games can result in difficulty regulating body temperature

Panting is crucial for regulating body temperature and carrying a ball inhibits the efficacy of this natural and important response.

Instead of engaging in fetch and ball play, which can sometimes be too intense for our dogs, we encourage enriching activities like leisurely walks that allow ample time for sniffing and exploring, nosework and games that involve finding treats and named items. These types of activities offer a more balanced blend of mental and physical stimulation for our four-legged friends and helps to maintain their hormonal balance.