Well, I did it! I took the plunge and bought an orbee ball for Levi. Now, granted every other toy I have ever gotten for him has been destroyed within (literally) minutes of having it. The only thing he won't destroy are his squeek balls which he loves more than life itself. When I presented him with the orbee he didn't know quite what to think but with a few of Bernards quick hand movements he was soon in pursuit. After (no exagertion) six tugs the rope came out of the middle of the ball. I tied it back together right away and proceeded to play. Within a few minutes the rope was hanging by a thread. IN spite of trying to get him to focus just on the ball, on occasion he would take hold of the rope. You might think I was disappointed by this, however, you are wrong because in spite of everything, the ball continues to look brand spanking new. Even after I took the rope off and just played with the ball with him for a while, he still didn't put a single scratch on it. What a ball!! he is having with the orbee. I do believe we now have competition in the running for our squeeky toys. Oh yes, and the mint smell is awesome too. Question for the experienced would be where would I find good quality rope to put on it on a regular basis? I will be trying to get him to focus just on the ball but it might take a while. Any suggestions?

I have found the nylon rope to last the longest. It's not as soft on the hands as the cotton rope, but it will last way longer. You can get it at Walmart of any hardware store and it's cheap.

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When I presented him with the orbee he didn't know quite what to think but with a few of Bernards quick hand movements he was soon in pursuit. After (no exagertion) six tugs the rope came out of the middle of the ball. I tied it back together right away and proceeded to play.

Normaly the balls come with the sharp ends of the rope tied in a knot inside the ball. Even my little duck toller de-ropes the orbee pretty quick. Have you tried threading a sharp end of the rope through both holes of the ball and then tying a knot so both sharp ends are on the outside of the ball? (anyone follow?)

My dog does not target the rope so that rope lasts me fine, I just have to tie it differently than it comes from the store. I do not leave him to chew on the orbee on his own as then the rope would get chewed It is generally an ob toy for us.

I have re-roped old toys with old 7-9mm climbing rope if you have such a thing, otherwise the hardware store has options to try...

I just checked out the orbee on this site and Ed describes the process of retying the rope I tried to describe and has pictures:

http://www.leerburg.com/788.htm

Also to Alex, my orbees came with synthetic rope. ( maybe a polyester cover and a nylon core?) It has a nice hand feel and the rope does not absorb water like cotton would. Maybe you were thinking of poly rope (that yellow or blue stuff) that has garbage hand feel?

watch building drive and focus again, it's got tips on getting your dog to not grab the string, only the ball.

good luck

The Orbee on a String I purchased came like the ones in the photo under the video clip. The rope must have a knot inside the ball. The "loop" of rope is tied in a knot around the ball. It does not come loose.

I'm going to write to the Orbee people and suggest they undertake a different rope protocol.

customerservicegroup@planetdog.com

To whom this may concern,

I am writing this letter to address a recurring problem in the manufacturing of your Orbee ball on a string.

The Orbee ball on a string is an outstanding training tool, highly valued and preferred by my dog, however and method by which you affix the rope causes recurring problems.

When tug-o-war games, or forceful throwing are performed, the glued ends of the rope invariably break inside the ball. What remains is a large knot inside the rubber material. In order to re-make a strong handle of rope, one must forcibly remove the interior knot. The problem which results, is small tears in the rubber material around the opening, which eventually spread into progressively larger tears.

In short, the failure of the poor rope design, in turn, causes premature failure of the rubber material. The cost of your product does not reflect a commesurate longevity.

I have forwarded this concern to high-profile internet dog training forums with people who feel the same as I.

I hope your production protocol is altered, so I can continue my support of your otherwise outstanding product.

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one must forcibly remove the interior knot

Or the dog forcibly removes it if you just keep playing tug with it

Great letter, I am in total agreement. So you sent it already?

I did.

I posted it here for others to copy and paste.

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The Orbee on a String I purchased came like the ones in the photo under the video clip. The rope must have a knot inside the ball. The "loop" of rope is tied in a knot around the ball. It does not come loose.

Keith,

Yes they come like the picture under the video. I have only had three orbees (I have had some other harder balls on a rope). Every one has has been de-roped! Tell that cute little white monster of yours to TUG HARDER