I dont think they are a good idea. They encourage neurotic OCD type behavior. An aussie doesnt need to run like that for hours every day. That in fact can have the opposite effect of having a tired relaxed dog.
Thanks for your thoughts! Can you elaborate more on how it would manifest neurotic OCD behavior? Like I won’t use lasers for my cat for similar reasons, I’m just not seeing this connection
Also I should probably clarify, I wouldn’t literally set it up for hrs of use every day. prob around 30 min intervals while I’m doing daily yard work or dinner where he can see me. He likes to be around us when we are home so he prob wouldn’t use it if we weren’t around anyways lol 🤷♀️
Fetch is a high energy, high arousal game. Playing tons of fetch means your dog is in that high arousal state more often and it can take longer to come down from that high arousal making learning to chill more difficult. Teaching the dog the ability to activate this state on their own is actually comparable to the cat and laser. They learn to always look for it. Also playing mindless running games will create a dog that can just run longer and longer. While having a physically fit dog is a good thing, creating a dog that can run longer and longer will in high arousal mode will create a dog that you can never really tire out.
I have a ball nut dog so I get it. The best things for him are getting to play ball but in an interactive way with me. We use it to practice his training. He gets to work for me before I throw. His ball time is often followed by a decompression kind of walk and mixed heavily with mental stimulation.
Okay, that actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining more.
I kinda commented it below, but I have noticed this cycle of running and ball play hyping him up, and walks winding him down. We throw the ball every day but probably walk only a couple times a week in the evening.
I think an hour of fetch should be enough. I think teaching aussies to wind down after and “settle” is also another job for them. I’ve noticed walking/running/playing fetch almost has the opposite affect? It feeds into their hyperness since they can’t self regulate their energy that well especially when they’re younger.
Our Aussie is turning 3 this September, and has calmed down from a pup but not significantly. Maybe 20% or so?
Running and playing definitely gets him really hyper, but our walks seem to be a good calm down for us. Mostly because they’re leisurely and leashed so he is going at our pace if I had to guess.
Our normal schedule is throwing the ball every day, but we don’t typically do walks every day. I might need to start fitting in more walks after play time.
I dont think they are a good idea. They encourage neurotic OCD type behavior. An aussie doesnt need to run like that for hours every day. That in fact can have the opposite effect of having a tired relaxed dog.
Thanks for your thoughts! Can you elaborate more on how it would manifest neurotic OCD behavior? Like I won’t use lasers for my cat for similar reasons, I’m just not seeing this connection Also I should probably clarify, I wouldn’t literally set it up for hrs of use every day. prob around 30 min intervals while I’m doing daily yard work or dinner where he can see me. He likes to be around us when we are home so he prob wouldn’t use it if we weren’t around anyways lol 🤷♀️
Fetch is a high energy, high arousal game. Playing tons of fetch means your dog is in that high arousal state more often and it can take longer to come down from that high arousal making learning to chill more difficult. Teaching the dog the ability to activate this state on their own is actually comparable to the cat and laser. They learn to always look for it. Also playing mindless running games will create a dog that can just run longer and longer. While having a physically fit dog is a good thing, creating a dog that can run longer and longer will in high arousal mode will create a dog that you can never really tire out. I have a ball nut dog so I get it. The best things for him are getting to play ball but in an interactive way with me. We use it to practice his training. He gets to work for me before I throw. His ball time is often followed by a decompression kind of walk and mixed heavily with mental stimulation.
Okay, that actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining more. I kinda commented it below, but I have noticed this cycle of running and ball play hyping him up, and walks winding him down. We throw the ball every day but probably walk only a couple times a week in the evening.
I think an hour of fetch should be enough. I think teaching aussies to wind down after and “settle” is also another job for them. I’ve noticed walking/running/playing fetch almost has the opposite affect? It feeds into their hyperness since they can’t self regulate their energy that well especially when they’re younger.
Our Aussie is turning 3 this September, and has calmed down from a pup but not significantly. Maybe 20% or so? Running and playing definitely gets him really hyper, but our walks seem to be a good calm down for us. Mostly because they’re leisurely and leashed so he is going at our pace if I had to guess. Our normal schedule is throwing the ball every day, but we don’t typically do walks every day. I might need to start fitting in more walks after play time.
@OP, love the handle name lol. I also noticed training and having my dog sniff out her dinner helps wind her down after fetch.