Why does my dachshund have to have his tennis ball to be happy?

1. 61

   1150kaylamichelleposted 14 years ago

   Why does my dachshund have to have his tennis ball to be happy?
   
   Whenever I take it away he gets sad and just stares at where I put it (or where he "thinks" i may have put it). Then he just walks around the house all mopey when he doesn't have it. Once he has it he is happy and playful and always wants us to throw it for his so he can chase it. It's fun but he almost seems emotionally attached to it! When he was little he loved sticks until he had a bad incident. But he is now almost 8 years old and has been attached almost his whole life. We took it away for a week one time but he turned into a different dog. He acted old and sad.. Help!?

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2. 51

   dogsrockposted 14 years ago

   it simply means that he wants his tennise ball because he loves it

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3. 0

   ComputerRewiredposted 14 years ago

   Every dog has their "happy object." He picked up a new object after the "stick accident."

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4. 61

   eli greyposted 14 years ago

   Aww. It's just his play thing. There is something that everyone has in their life and simply can't do without. Always play with him even if it's just for ten minutes to let him know you love him... you do love him right? Just be glad he's not putting holes in your furniture or anything.

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5. 61

   1150kaylamichelleposted 14 years ago

   yes i love him he is the highlight of my life! and the only thing he puts holes in are those dog stuffed toys. haha he pulls the fluff out and it ends up all over the house in minutes. its entertaining but messy

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6. 50

   Rogue Waveposted 14 years ago

   Dachshunds are one of the most emotionally sensitive dogs. They are very like us in their range of emotions. Your dog has attached to his tennis ball like a child does to a blankie!! Everone knows how traumatized a child gets when you try to put them to bed without their blankie, so why would you think your dachshund would be any different? I have raised miniature dachshunds for 8 years and never doubted the emotional sensitivity or intelligence of my "puppy children!!" Be kind to your puppy baby and don't take his ball away, especially NOT AS A PUNISHMENT!!! Feel free to ask me any other questions about these wonderful friends!!!

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7. 53

   Thomas Banneckposted 12 years ago

   I have a tennis ball addicted Daschund too. He is relentless. Je plays with his Penn tennis ball (never any other brand, they don't last) from the moment he wakes to when he burrows under our covers. If we go for a 2 mile walk, he will carry that tennis ball the entire 2 miles. If we don't throw or kick the ball for him, he will throw it himself by biting the felt with the edge of his teeth so it dangles out of his mouth.  He then spins around like a shot putter and releases. He can easily throw it 15 feet or more and occassionally hits us while watching TV. I would never dream of taking his ball away. It is his obsession, his true love...his everything. I am second.

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