What makes tennis balls so appealing to dogs?
Jenn G asked:
I’m thinking it’s the smell, since they’re color blind and it’s not very likely to be the fuzzy texture, because my dog is always going after the new ones I bring home. So what makes a tennis ball smell like that, and why do dogs love it?
Archie
I’m thinking it’s the smell, since they’re color blind and it’s not very likely to be the fuzzy texture, because my dog is always going after the new ones I bring home. So what makes a tennis ball smell like that, and why do dogs love it?
Archie
February 18th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Gabriel
I may be wrong but I don’t think there’s anything inherently appealing about tennis balls to dogs. Humans just like to use them for fetch as they’re easy to heave in one hand and large enough so you don’t have to worry about swallowing. Of course the dog makes the association between the tennis ball and the fun of playing so it builds a fondness for the balls in that respect. Your dog probably knows when you bring home the new ones you’re planning to play soon and is excited. If you don’t play Frisbee with your dog experiment with how inherently fond your dog is of the Frisbee. I suspect no more than any other object if they’re not familiar.
February 21st, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Deann
The fuzziness and the bright neon colors.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Wilbert
because it bounces..
,…my monkey loves tennis balls too.. and she wonder why she is still #2 and she really enjoys cherry picking