My dog is obsessed with his new toy

[BigD669]

Not sure what to do about this new little ball that he got a couple of days ago. He is only about a year and a half old and has always been pretty normal up untill now. All of sudden, nothing else seems to matter but this little ball. If he knocks it under the couch and can't reach it he will bark like a little demon dog and start scratching at the floor till I go get it for him.

This does not seem healthy at all to me. It's like dealing with a drug addict or something.

What should I do? Take it away????.....

[salukigirl]

the only thing that sounds unhealthy is the barking and scratching. instead of grabbing it for him tell him no and let him know that barking does not get rewarded. every time you give him the ball after he barks he thinks barking is the way to get what he wants. our dog is obsessed with her bone. but if one of the cats walk by and she growls we take it away from her and tell her no so that she knows that growling at the cats is wrong (she thinks theyre going to try and take it from her lol). dont give in when he barks for it. tell him no and instead get him to sit or stay and teach him that thats how you get your ball back, by being a good dog.

[Tex' Momma]

salukigirl - thank you for the advice also! Tex does the same thing with our cats - possessive over his toys, etc. (like the cats want to chew on his bone or play with his toys!). I'll try that.