Behaviour change- no longer retrieving..!?

[gee1111]

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A border Collie in my care used to absolutely love retrieving..endlessly. From a few months back he doesnt and just retains possesion :ermm: . Can anyone please give me any ideas about this. Many thanks

 

[gypsysmum2]

A couple of possibilities -

He finds it more fun to keep the ball than to give it up. This could be caused by people giving him lots of attention when he holds on to the ball but not much attention when he gives it up.

He has had a bad experience when he has given up the ball. This could be something like it disappearing, either from being thrown and lost or at the end of a game.

He doesn't enjoy the game any more. This could be from some sort of pain that he is experiencing or from his fellow playmate not being playful enough i.e. using it as a "control" exercise rather than a fun game.

Watch his body language very carefully when you produce a ball to play with. Does he look excited, or worried or evasive etc? A vet check never hurts as it could be anything from a back injury to dental problems.

If the vet clears him then try having a couple of tennis balls and throw another one when he is holding the first one. Some dogs can hold more than one ball in their mouth but most will drop the first one to get the second. This can then be made into a fun game for him.