We are house sitting and one of the dogs is a ex k9 police dog that retired early from a injury. He is ball obsessed and want to know, if this is the norm? kida drives me a little nuts how he wont leave me alone so I can get some after work paper work done.
are most german shepards ball obsessed?
- Thread starter rustybucket
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I wish I had a GS dog to play ball with when I get home...
you're lucky..
you're lucky..
Most dog lovers appreciate a ball retriever.
The dog is trying to keep YOU entertained ..... 
The smarter the dog the more it needs a job. German Shepards were originally bred for herding, and herding dogs are generally the smartest. It's using fetch as a substitute job. Take away it's job and it may start misbehaving. I'd do my best to keep that dog happy.
I have a herding dog too.
Have to make time every day for "balls".
You mentioned house sitting. You might ask the owner what their routine is with the dog.
With us, "balls" happens at precisely the same time every night so the dog knows when it is time for "balls" and when it isn't.
Have to make time every day for "balls".
You mentioned house sitting. You might ask the owner what their routine is with the dog.
With us, "balls" happens at precisely the same time every night so the dog knows when it is time for "balls" and when it isn't.
Police / military / "working" dogs have high drive and are often rewarded in their training / work with a tennis ball so this guy is probably extra excited about chasing after it. You can also do hide and seek with it, making him use his nose to get it instead of his legs. Might be better if he has an injury issue, and it will still tire him out due to the mental exercise.
Post up a photo of him!
Post up a photo of him!
- Thread starter
- #8
yes, Definatly high drive 
The other dog the owner owns is a mig german sheppard. It had smooth brown hair with dark markings on its face and a curl in its tail and same height as the other german sheppard which is about 75 bls.
This is a funny story, but they play fight..mostly the year old mix, which is hyper, with the 9 year old German. one of them came into the bathroom and dropped the ball in front of my wife, and the other one came in and started to play fight in front of her. The force of both of them almost knocked her off the toilette and sheered one of the two toilette seat bolts in half in the process
Both grew on me and really liked me a great deal. Both are Females and got a attached to them but the ball thing, where they came up to me at the sofa, went on for hours in the evening. The owners said to not toss the ball in the living space. So I just picked it up off my lap and dropped it onto the ground.
The other dog the owner owns is a mig german sheppard. It had smooth brown hair with dark markings on its face and a curl in its tail and same height as the other german sheppard which is about 75 bls. This is a funny story, but they play fight..mostly the year old mix, which is hyper, with the 9 year old German. one of them came into the bathroom and dropped the ball in front of my wife, and the other one came in and started to play fight in front of her. The force of both of them almost knocked her off the toilette and sheered one of the two toilette seat bolts in half in the process
Both grew on me and really liked me a great deal. Both are Females and got a attached to them but the ball thing, where they came up to me at the sofa, went on for hours in the evening. The owners said to not toss the ball in the living space. So I just picked it up off my lap and dropped it onto the ground.
This is the reason. I used to have a retired K9 GSD. My 2 most recent GSD's have always had zero interest in fetching anything. I really miss throwing a ball for a dog and seeing the excitement.
--john
I have four GSD's, that demand attention. The "ball" is the quickest way to work them and tire them. Each of my dogs ownd his/her own ball and they keep them close.
This photo was taken at ten months old, (from my last litter) "getting after it". This male is now seventeen months old and 105 lbs. He loves playing catch/fetch.
GSDX? is that a mix? Thanks for the compliment. The photo was taken by my nephew, who owns "Porter". My nephew takes professional photos as a side business.
Your animal is handsome as well and looks to be 100% GSD to me.
Your animal is handsome as well and looks to be 100% GSD to me.
This is Porter's other brother, Hercules posing with his mother Gladius. Hurc is on the right.
Awesome shot!