Barbra, be careful with the laser. Some dogs can really become obsessed with it. My JRT would go into an uncontrolled frenzy, and really seemed to stress over it. He's nuts enough as it is. When my grandkids come over, they have now been told the flashlights are off limits and the laser toys are no more. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Connie, do you have links to the dog fishing websites? I would love to see. I did a quick search and only found a dog fishing pole. It was cool but didn't look like it casted far. I thought my husband invented dog fishing, and so did he <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I think I'm going to let him continue to believe he did, lol!

Bob & Connie again, I think my dog has the laser sickness. He exhibited OCD behaviors with it. Even refuses food when it's around, and he's LOVES food. I was concerned and limited it. Then I gradually re-introduced it, and he was better, but behaved like a heroin addict when I put it away. I took it away again for a while, and I hid it so well I lost it. Why do you think it has that effect on some dogs? I thought it was only my dog who was a buffoon <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I've seen other people talk about playing with it with their dogs and they didn't mention any of the things I saw. Leann, scrap the laser in case your dog gets the sickness too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Bob and Connie, thanks for your input on this.

Vicki, I never heard of fish poling but with a pole vault it would sound similar to the construction of a snapper pole, thanks! I'm going to try it like that. There's also the flirt pole made with pvc and a rope, but it's bulky, looks hard to handle, and is hollow so spiders can crawl in and then exit on you when you least expect it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That's my image of it anyway <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Leann, I'm glad you liked hide and seek. It's one of our favorites <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Many of the games I mentioned can be played with the kids alongside. In the doggy doggy find your bone, I compete the kids against the dogs, lol <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'd love to have a sophisticated, high tech, dog sized skinner box and play around with that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Maybe I could stick the kids in too and train them to do things <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> just kidding!

Have a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays everyone <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I've always found that the easiest way to teach a dog to fetch is to use two balls. They'll usually drop the first ball eagerly if they see you have another ready to throw.

As for "fishing", the JRT folks tie a strip of fake fur onto the end of a lunge whip. No casting, but you can get the dog chasing around and across a 20-foot circle.

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Connie, do you have links to the dog fishing websites? ....

Dogfishing.com is the first one I found, but it's undergoing site renovation at the moment. Here's another:
http://petcaretips.net/indoor-dog-exercises.html

The trick is, when you Google it, make it one word (dogfishing).

Thanks Connie! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I'll have to check dogfishing.com when they are finished redoing the site. I disagree with the article posted on dogfishing where the author says it's a bad idea to play the game with an aggressive breed of dog because they can go after a jogger. I agree that the exercise could bring up their drive, but I don't think 'aggressive breeds' should be denied the game. IMO All dogs need to be taught that joggers are off limits if their prey drive ever kicks in when one is running by, so you correct them for it and they learn the behavior is unacceptable. And then the article says that the game will turn into a tug of war with large dogs and they'll win which will lead to them thinking they are top dog. This is where common sense comes in again. You teach the dog control, to drop it when you say so and that you control the game and if they don't listen the game ends quicker than it started. If people can't play a wild type game with common sense these activities shouldn't be attempted. To deny certain breeds or large dogs is silly because they can be taught what you teach them and they are perfectly capable of learning rules. I also like working the dogs in drive because these types of activities allow you to practice control when they are hyped up. If I didn't practice training when they were in drive then maybe I wouldn't have reliable control in a surprise type situation in public because they didn't have control training in a hyper type state.

I also don't think playing dog fishing in the house on slippery floors (non carpeted as per the article) is a good idea in large dogs prone to HD. No offense at all to you Connie, thanks for the links <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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I also don't think playing dog fishing in the house on slippery floors (non carpeted as per the article) is a good idea in large dogs prone to HD.

I agree. Also, dogfishing is a game that can absolutely be less or more excited/aggressive, all determined and controlled by the handler.

And I also agree with you that the intensity of the game is a matter of common sense.

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And then the article says that the game will turn into a tug of war with large dogs and they'll win which will lead to them thinking they are top dog. This is where common sense comes in again. You teach the dog control, to drop it when you say so and that you control the game and if they don't listen the game ends quicker than it started. END

Yes..........I took the "instructions" with a big grain of salt, realizing that they made sense on a site geared for every level of handler judgement.

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Yes..........I took the "instructions" with a big grain of salt, realizing that they made sense on a site geared for every level of handler judgement.

That's a really good point. I assume people have common sense when I probably shouldn't without knowing for sure. Thank you for making me aware of that whether you meant to or not <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I started dog fishing back in the 1980's. Only called it cat fishing instead. And I used a sinker from my tackle box attached by nylon fishing line.My cat loved chasing it.

Somewhere, someplace, there is a warehouse full of Ronco's Popiel Pocket Fisherman's just waiting to be converted for kitty & dog fishing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

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.......I took the "instructions" with a big grain of salt, realizing that they made sense on a site geared for every level of handler judgement.

Also, the Dogfishing.com site had better judgement, now that I look again at the second site I gave you. I'll PM you when it's back up!