Fetch

Molly has developed a fierce desire for playing fetch! She will stand at the back door waiting to go out lol

My question is she's 9 months now and I saw that jogging is not reccomended until 18 months. Should I be limiting the time she spends playing fetch or is this okay as she can, and does, have a lie down when she needs it?

At the moment I tend to get the ball out midway through our daily walks.

Also point number two.. our dogs both play fetch together and at present Watson is a bit quicker so he gets the ball first. Moll's game is then one of stalking and trying to steal the ball off him, she puts all her strength into it and lauches her body at him lol not being aggressive or anything like that. She then runs back to me and places the ball at my legs. Would the leave it command be the right one to get more practice at? I don't mind her chasing him etc but she won't let him get close enough to place the ball with me, she tries to steal it so that she can give it back to me herself

Enough rambling now I think! Staffies have to be one of the only dog breeds I have ever known to lie down when out on a walk

Anybody?!

As far as exercise goes the recommended amount is 5 minutes walking for every month of age. A game of fetch would be fine. Have you considered taking more than one ball out with you or a squeaky toy for one of them.

The Leave command is an excellent one to teach anyway, always comes in useful in many situations.

I'm not sure about how the jogging will affect her. I think if she plays fetch for short periods of time, with plenty of rest when she needs it, it should be okay.

If ball stealing is something you don't want her to do, then the leave command would help with that. It definitely wouldn't hurt!

Two toys becomes even more complicated as the grass is always greener...they always want the same one!

She knows the leave it command and it works with everything apart from when Watson has the toy on the walk. She won't touch his food bowl! Arhh dogs!

Would you be able to walk them separately ???

Yeah but I wouldn't want too They are perfect when walked alone lol each returns the ball dropped at my feet.

I suppose I just wondered if anyone on here had any tricks to master the joint fetch game! We shall take treats out I think.

Playing fetch should be fine. It's better if it's done on the grass. The 18 month rule is so their joints can be devolped in proportion to their weight and jogging is a forced actiivty so the dog can't rest when it wants. The hard surfaces also cause more strain on the joints than grass or other soft surfaces.

cesca1 wrote:Yeah but I wouldn't want too They are perfect when walked alone lol each returns the ball dropped at my feet.

I suppose I just wondered if anyone on here had any tricks to master the joint fetch game! We shall take treats out I think.

aaaw unfortunately i dont think there will be any tricks . It all down to the fastest staffy . lol .

Our 2 fight over the ball , stick whatever it is . Tilly is less forward about it and will dance around and give her girly growly bark in the hope he makes a mistake, Tommy will just launch an attack to get it and then defend it fiercely . If I were to throw 2 balls , sticks then like most kids they both insist on playing and fighting over the same one

The rule is to add 5 minutes to a walk per month as they get older but my pup is very energetic so we take her out twice a day for half and hour to and hour.
It's okay to play fetch with brakes in between just stop when she looks tired or shes out of breath. A dog will usually tell you when they've had enough and It's better they have a run outside and have a rest when at home than to have them destroying the house. My pup's 7 months atm and I go for short jogs with her off lead tho so I match her pace for ex when she slows down so do I.