Fetching up some fun

There are memes making the rounds again that vilify the game of fetch. They typically cite concerns like repetitive strain and high impact, some go into behavioral concerns like obsession and fixation.

One thing that's always bothered me about the message that fetch = bad is that there are so many permutations of fetch. I've never understood how the whole game can be tarred with the same brush.

I've spoken to owners who play fetch, and for them the game means taking their dog to the local tennis courts and hitting the ball. I've spoken to owners where fetch means tossing a ball in a small backyard. I’ve spoken to those where fetch is played in a large area or those who play fetch on forest trails. Each of these versions is distinctly different in both physical and emotional/mental impact.

It seems self-evident that some versions of fetch could lend themselves to injuries. When I think of a dog playing fetch in a tennis court, I worry about worn/torn pads, abrupt stops at the fenced side, and sharp turns in the limited space.

Playing fetch with the Bedlam crew on “fetch hill” is a very different scenario. With an abundance of space, there's no sudden stops or turns. Most often, the dogs track the ball and neatly snap it out of the air as they're running forward. When they turn back to me, they often run past me and make a wide sweep back around. No jarring stops and no abrupt turns.

What does the science say?

Not all that much, tbh. I searched for actual clinical data and research about the impact of playing fetch.

One study, looking at risk factors for cranial cruciate ligament rupture or CCLR, (In the stick of it–a playful pastime with perilous consequences for dogs TIM CHARLESWORTH Veterinary Times 43 (25), 6-8, 2013) actually cited fetch as a low-risk activity:

“Some activities such as fetch games with a ball or disc and swimming had no discernible relationship to CCLR risk.” The same study cited playing agility as a CCLR risk factor.

Let’s look at the behavioural side…

I have heard people talking about how fetch can create obsessive behaviours. I would postulate that dogs with stereotypical/obsessive behaviours will struggle with many issues; fly biting, spinning, light chasing, etc.

While I can see how fetch could be obsessive for these dogs, I'd say it's a symptom, not a catalyst.

Again, I did a search for any true science, either pro or anti-fetch, this time from behavioural perspective. All I could find was a case study, Animal Behavior Case of the Month, looking at persistent tail licking. As part of the treatment (response substitution therapy), the owners were instructed to have the dog fetch a toy or object or to cue any other behaviour that the dog was already trained to perform. In this case, fetch was part of the antidote to an obsessive behaviour.

The upcoming data based om CBARQ may give us some deeper insight into this area.

What about the flip side? For some dogs, fetch appears to be very fulfilling. I'd suggest we (and our dogs) would be better served by finding safe ways to play fetch rather than avoiding it altogether.

Many SAR and HRD handlers use a ball/fetch as a reward for working. These same handlers will use ball focus/commitment to searching for a ball as an indicator of working ability.

One argument that seems particularly spurious is that dogs evolved to stalk prey maybe once a day, not repeatedly chase a ball. As I look around at the myriad of breeds we've created, I question that this is the area where we've concerningly strayed from dogs' evolution.

For the Bedlam crew, fetch is a fun game, a way to get some efficient exercise in on a day where a 3rd hike isn't possible, and a way to round out their fitness with sprints up a hill.

My dogs show me their enthusiasm by exhibiting excitement when I get the Chuckit and balls, by enthusiastically racing after the ball, and by their general demeanour of glee.

Like most things, there's not a full consensus. On one end of the spectrum is Random, where fetch is her very favourite thing. On the other end is Danger, who likes to chase a ball a couple of times, then would rather relax and chew on it. Everyone else falls somewhere in the middle.

I would never do anything that I thought was potentially harmful to my dogs. I research diets, supplements, vaccines and parasitology prevention to make the best and safest choices for my dogs. I learn about structure, rehab, and fitness to keep them healthy and happy and in peak physical condition. I mix up their exercise to be mentally stimulating and give them the best overall conditioning.

Fetch is fulfilling, fun, and functional, and we will continue to play, safely.