Golden Retriever ball fixation...?

My Golden Retriever is obsessed with balls and playing catch to a point where she will steal a ball from another dog out of it's mouth. The other day a dog wasn't having that and she actually bite the dog. Anyone have any advice to tame her down with her obsession with balls?

Golden Retriever ball fixation...?
It's difficult to dampen that kind of behavior, a strong ball drive is not unusual in certain breeds and if they want the ball, they just WANT THE BALL :)





I would try not to let her run free and play around other dogs who are playing ball, as she will likely get over-excited and competitive!





you could try to retrain her behavior around other dogs by keeping her on the leash and if she goes after another dog's ball, give her a short, sharp tug with the leash and tell her "No" very firmly. You will need to repeat this many times, and it may help some, but her ball drive will probably overcome reason if she's running free and sees a ball she wants! Sorry.





If she's otherwise a great dog, without aggressive tendencies or behavior problems, you'll probably just have to live with the ball obsession and make sure you have one handy at all times.





It could be worse....one of my rottweilers has an extremely strong ball drive and rips every conceivable type of ball to shreds in his excitement. His favorite ball is now a ...bowling ball. Which is great in that it's indestructible, great exercise for him etc. etc. But try taking THAT to the park!





Anyway, best of luck!
Reply:Buy her a few balls, and sprinkle a bit of pepper on them, when she goes after the ball she will smell/taste the pepper and not want to mess with the ball anymore.





Or get some lemon/lime juice squirt that on the ball, she will not like the taste.
Reply:There may be no good answer besides limiting ball play to away from unfriendly dogs. Not sure if it was your dog or the other that bit, if it was your dog go see a trainer. A ball obsessed Golden is a difficult force to overcome. Such a Golden doesn't care what the ball tastes like. If your dog is rude when playing at the dog park, take measures to keep her from being rude, such as not letting her play with nice-playing dogs.





I'm guessing she's a pleasure and just wants to have the ball. Some dogs don't accept that, it might be the other dog's problem.