Addictive-like behavioural traits in pet dogs with extreme motivation for toys

Post by arethuza » Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 11:11 AM UTC

brandall10 wrote: post #55

delichon wrote: post #6

Perhaps not surprising, working breeds – many of which are known to have been artificially selected for high toy or predatory motivation – were overrepresented in the sample. This is the vibe I get from my golden retriever. Chasing the tennis ball is more than play, it's a justification for life, her contribution to the pack. Actually eating food has a higher priority than chasing the ball, but not much else does. Wh…

I grew up with a cocker spaniel obsessed with tennis balls to the point of covering his food with them and letting it rot. Looking into his eyes conveyed no emotion and he didn't seem to care much for affection. He was a tennis ball tracking machine. There was nothing you could do to satiate his desire. If you gave in to a catch session, you could throw it 100 times, he would start coughing/convulsing from exhaustion…

Post by big_paps » Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 11:26 AM UTC

brandall10 wrote: post #55

delichon wrote: post #6

Perhaps not surprising, working breeds – many of which are known to have been artificially selected for high toy or predatory motivation – were overrepresented in the sample. This is the vibe I get from my golden retriever. Chasing the tennis ball is more than play, it's a justification for life, her contribution to the pack. Actually eating food has a higher priority than chasing the ball, but not much else does. Wh…

I grew up with a cocker spaniel obsessed with tennis balls to the point of covering his food with them and letting it rot. Looking into his eyes conveyed no emotion and he didn't seem to care much for affection. He was a tennis ball tracking machine. There was nothing you could do to satiate his desire. If you gave in to a catch session, you could throw it 100 times, he would start coughing/convulsing from exhaustion…

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 12:15 PM UTC

bell-cot wrote: post #39

hinkley wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There’s some documentation out there suggesting the original Labrador retrievers had food obsession as a trait in common with bidability, which is why more than half of them end up chonky. Not all have the gene but odds are high. There’s a guy who trawls dog rescues looking for retrievers who are toy obsessed and then trains them to hunt truffles. He reasons you can’t reward them with food for finding even tastier fo…

From a dog's PoV , are truffles actually tastier than high quality dog treats?

Post by Xss3 » Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 12:29 PM UTC

Xss3 wrote: post #126

Xss3 wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Studies show laser play actually makes dogs n cats stressed. They need to win to feel fulfilled. They cannot actually catch the laser, so they dont get fulfillment. It can cause a form of PTSD.

Just as an addendum, i looked into this after a few hours of laser play left my pup wandering around searching for it like she was paranoid, her mouth was agape, it was obvious she was worried, not looking to play. When i found evidence supporting this view, that flew in the face of all i thought i knew about lasers n dogs, i realized how foolish i had been to think pup enjoyed it rather than it being unfulfilled pre…

Post by arethuza » Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 12:57 PM UTC

lylejantzi3rd wrote: post #128

arethuza wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Our samoyed is obsessed, if that is the right word, with being sociable - with people but also other dogs (and the occasional cat or cow). He likes balls but they are a means to an end - getting interaction from me or from other dogs. Edit: He gets plenty time with other people and dogs - not its not like he is starved for attention.

It must be a breed trait. Growing up, my neighbor had a Samoyed. My brothers and I would go over and play with him for hours on end and he would wear us out. We were young and had crazy kid energy, but he would wear us out . No amount of attention was enough.