 Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Barbara Schuler ]
#291344 - 08/10/2010 11:23 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-06-2008
Posts: 5062
Loc: WA, USA
 Offline |
|
They don't really use their canines to eat with.
If I had to say, I'd wager the nylon in the squirrel plus genetically soft teeth.
|
 Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Aaron Myracle ]
#291345 - 08/10/2010 11:23 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
Genetics plays a part there, too.
Some dogs just have softer teeth than others.
Danke, alas, has soft teeth. Turbo has crappy teeth that even accumulate some plaque with a raw diet. His teeth are definitely genetically defunct.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#291388 - 08/11/2010 08:28 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 01-14-2008
Posts: 213
Loc:
| Offline |
|
But then you can ask a trainer who has been around, like David Frost, about them, and out of the MANY dogs he has trained with tennis balls as the reward, he hadn't seen a problem. At least none the last time this topic came up.
There's a difference though between training with tennis balls, and letting the dog have them as an around the house toy. I still use them in training, they are absolutely not allowed just laying around the house anymore. My 11 year old Mali's teeth are so worn down some are at the gumline. It's possible they were soft, but I also believe it's because she had a tennis ball in her mouth pretty much from puppyhood to 6 or 7 years old. She was obsessed with them, and if there was one in the area, it was in her mouth. A friend has a Mali who is the same, who also has very worn down teeth.
I do think some dogs have softer teeth then others, but why risk it when there are other options.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Kadi_Thingvall ]
#291391 - 08/11/2010 08:49 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-29-2010
Posts: 7
Loc:
| Offline |
|
I train Tucker with tennis balls and that is his reward, he's a nut for them, I never need treats.
Never has a ball alone or in the house. Only when it is training time and working in water for duck season.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Kadi_Thingvall ]
#291392 - 08/11/2010 08:51 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-30-2007
Posts: 3283
Loc:
| Offline |
|
yea,
I too feel the training use of tennis balls is okay and far different from allowing the dog to worry them to death.
Tennis balls are far cheaper then the alternatives and because of their color much easier to keep track of.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Kadi_Thingvall ]
#291401 - 08/11/2010 09:38 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
There's a difference though between training with tennis balls, and letting the dog have them as an around the house toy. I still use them in training, they are absolutely not allowed just laying around the house anymore. My 11 year old Mali's teeth are so worn down some are at the gumline. It's possible they were soft, but I also believe it's because she had a tennis ball in her mouth pretty much from puppyhood to 6 or 7 years old. She was obsessed with them, and if there was one in the area, it was in her mouth. A friend has a Mali who is the same, who also has very worn down teeth.
I do think some dogs have softer teeth then others, but why risk it when there are other options. Mine only had them when I was throwing them. He isn't crazy about them when they are sitting still and doesn't long to possess them. Only had them when we were playing.
But that's purty often.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#291428 - 08/11/2010 11:58 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-29-2004
Posts: 3825
Loc: Northeast
| Offline |
|
It also seems that dogs that do bite work usually tend to wear their teeth down over time. Not sure how much using a tug for play & as a reward can contribute to this.
Although raw diets help keep the teeth & gums far healthier than feeding kibble, I think genetics play a part, as some dogs still can tend to have some tarter buildup on molars.
I never have used tennis balls. I find that the orbey balls on a rope are far more fun for the dogs (& great also for OB) & easier to toss with the rope. My dogs love them, especailly my male. He'll do ANYTHING for his ball. LOL My girl loves her orbey ball too, ( & her tug) but she will just work for the sake of working. Gotta love a dog that lives to work.
MY DOGS...MY RULES
 |
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Anne Jones ]
#291430 - 08/11/2010 12:45 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 01-23-2002
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nashville, TN
| Offline |
|
Purely anecdotal, I've used tennis balls for more years than I care to remember. Over several hundred, if not thousand dogs, I've never seen a problem with the teeth because of tennis balls. I've heard the story many times, just have never seen any proof of it.
DFrost
Any behavior that is reinforced is more likely to occur again. |
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: Anne Jones ]
#291432 - 08/11/2010 12:54 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 02-12-2010
Posts: 328
Loc: Upstate NY
| Offline |
|
I gotta say that the only dogs I have had with any sort of tooth damage were obsessive chewers.
A couple of Border collies...one was a tennis ball obsessor chewed and always had a tennis ball in her mouth...lived to nearly 15.. but the teeth she wore most were her incisors....'cause she would chew cast iron pans to get the seasoning off, cookie sheets, fry pans....yes, she counter surfed.
Kelsey has similar damage....she chews the wall of her crate.
Other than pulling puppy teeth the only dental I have had to do on a pet was a cat....abscessed tooth at 13 or 14.....lived to 17. Not thinking this counts since it is in the file of "old age" and things falling apart.
I vote genetics.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Tennis balls bad for dog's teeth?
[Re: David C.Frost ]
#291456 - 08/11/2010 03:12 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 01-14-2008
Posts: 213
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Purely anecdotal, I've used tennis balls for more years than I care to remember. Over several hundred, if not thousand dogs, I've never seen a problem with the teeth because of tennis balls. I've heard the story many times, just have never seen any proof of it.
DFrost
Do any of these dogs "live" with tennis balls though, or are they just used as a reward in training? I think that makes a major difference. Since I quite letting the dogs have them as a toy, I haven't had problems with excessive wear on the teeth. There is still some from the bitework, but not like I used to see. Even the dogs who are constantly carrying rubber toys aren't showing the wear of the tennis ball dogs.
My dogs now, who just get the ball as a reward, only have it in their mouth for a few minutes each day. The dogs I've seen the wear on have it in their mouth literally hours every day, some to the point of sleeping with it in their mouth.
I think it's this type of obsessiveness, plus in some cases softer teeth, that lead to the wear of the teeth.
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
