The kennels team are very careful when they use toys and balls with our rescue dogs, ensuring that they don’t over-excite them and make them hyper. Lots of dog owners use tennis ball launchers, or flingers, and think that they are providing fun and exercise in equal measure.

But these flingers come with a health warning, and the veterinary profession is concerned about the mental and physical damage they are causing some dogs. Repeated ‘throw it, chase it, catch it’ exercise involves increased arousal which can result in a sharp rise a dog’s heart rate and adrenaline levels. Adrenaline itself should be released in short bursts, such as during a one off chase, and longer periods increase cortisol levels which can take several days to return to normal.

Adrenaline and cortisol both play a role in the regulation of behaviour. Promoting increased production of both over a prolonged period can trigger problematic behaviours such as a no ‘off switch’, a lack of ‘frustration tolerance’, and unpredictability.

Other behavioural issues caused by the ball flingers include a reluctance for a dog to walk by their owner’s side because they always want to be ahead, anticipating the throwing of a ball; and an inability to show self-control when presented with a ball, or in the area in which the owner normally flings the ball.

Added to this, repetitive chasing in this way is simply not a natural activity for any dog, and if the potential behavioural issues are not enough of cautionary warning about ball flingers the physical issues associated with using one also need to be considered carefully. High speed impact, uncontrolled twists and turns, and rotatory force on joints can cause a multitude of injuries. And a dog may not even be warmed up before such vigorous exercise is undertaken.

There is so much more an owner can do with a ball or toy to work their dog mentally and physically. A ball detox may be needed for a few weeks before exploring other ball-based activities, such as hiding a ball for a dog to find. This is a simple form of scent training but it can be much more complex, and internet sites such as www.scentworkuk.com are very informative.