Tennis Balls

I wonder what it is about tennis balls that make dogs think they are so wonderful. My neighbor's dogs would chase tennis balls 24 hours a day if someone would toss it for them. It seems to be the tennis balls themselves and not the need to retrieve. If you toss a stick, they don't appear as interested.

Some dogs just want the ball, and don't really want to give it back to be toss again. The neighbor's cocker spaniel will get the ball after you toss it, and bring it back to you, but he won't release it to be tossed again. Part of that might be his beagle sister who beats him to a tossed ball 95% of the time. He might think if he gives it up, he won't get it again for a while.

My own dogs have mixed feelings. They go through stages where the tennis ball seems to be the best invention ever. Then there are times when tennis balls sit at the bottom of the toy box for months.

They also have different ways of playing with them. Max likes to skin them. Indy used to like to collect them. If I had several balls, I would toss them and he would go pick them up one by one and bring them to a spot where he would protect them as his own.


Bailey has discovered tennis balls. Although he isn't as obsessive at the dogs across the road, he does love to chase the ball and bring it back to be tossed again. He will usually do this for 10 minutes, or until he is distracted by a new discovery...such as a piece of lint on the carpet. Life must be so interesting and exciting for him, discovering everything for the first time.


Indy collects tennis balls 6/6/04