We had a brief interaction with a toddler this week, where the little girl threw/dropped her basketball to Elka, who obliged by pouncing it, and dancing with her paws on either side of it, trying to pick it up. Everybody was delighted, I picked up the ball myself after a few minutes, and everybody went home happy. Unbreakoball outside then, I thought. This will be great!
You'll notice, Gentle Reader, that the Unbreakoball looks rather...solo. Perhaps forlorn. It's because once we were in the back yard, Elka wanted tennis balls. And to run. She didn't want the Unbreakoball, or treats, or treats in the Unbreakoball, and couldn't imagine why I had brought the thing outside with us.
So, I called her over and pointed the ball out to her.
I pushed it, and she did the dance for a second.
Then she ran away and had some zoomies.
I was able to compel her to return for a second go.
Seriously, though, what's the deal? Is it because it's so big? Is it because it's plastic, not rubber? I really thought this was going to be an amazing toy for her. She did push it in the house with one of our friends for a little while, back and forth, a couple of weeks ago. But that's been it! I'm amazed. I do think I'm going to get the smaller size, to see if she'll play with that. I'm not sure if the lifetime guarantee applies if the ball is out of the recommended size category for a dog, however.
I know, I know, if she won't play with it she won't play with it, and what's the big deal on my end, right? She doesn't HAVE TO like a toy. It's just odd and perplexing, and I really want to support a company that makes things in the USA for once!
I'm always puzzled by the toys my dogs like and don't like. There doesn't seem to be any logic to it, but I'm sure in their little minds there is a reason that the wrappings are often more intriguing than the expensive toy.
ReplyDeleteTrue story: Elka will have a lot of fun pulling apart the cardboard box that soda cans come in.
DeleteI'm laughing out loud. Oh, Elka... I suspect it may because the ball is hard, but who knows?!
ReplyDeleteThat's my main thought: it's hard, and it makes weird noise. But really, who knows what's going on in that pointy head?
DeleteI have a jumbo ball meant for horses but bought/brought home for the big dogs like Justus, Snowy (GP)...it gets moved around the yard but not picked up and played with - it even has a handle! Smaller stuff gets shook to death, tugged with friends but not the JollyBall. Interesting Elka has a similar reaction to her unbreakoball.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that some dogs like the JollyBall, others do not. It's funny what their tastes end up being, isn't it?
DeleteI saw a similar product called a varsity ball that showed videos of dogs (and tigers and elephants) having a ball with it. I wondered if Honey would be intrigued by it but the $40 price tag put me off the risk.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder if I should start a pet products rental company so we can try out expensive stuff and return it if our animals don't like them. Toys and harnesses and the like are just too expensive to experiment with, huh?
There's also the Jolly Ball, originally made for horses, but they have a dog one now as well.
DeleteI think that sounds like a great company idea! "Try to buy" would be pretty cool for some of these products.
We have a horse ball. Thunder could play with it for hours. He barks at it and pushes it between his legs and pounces on it. He gets too wild so we have to pick it up. Storm and Freighter could care less about that ball. I think every dog is different. I know mine all like to play with different things.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny, the different preferences they have! It really fascinates me. It's one of those things that I look to when I hear people scoff about whether dogs can think, or have emotions.
DeleteDo I even need to write a comment on this one? LOL.
ReplyDeleteIf you lived closer, I'd just give you our little unbreakoball. It's only collecting dust in my house. :-)
Oh, I know how Desmond feels ;)
DeleteHey, you could donate it to a shelter or something! I'll happily purchase a small one myself, I do like that they're made in the USA, etc. I just wish Elka shared my jingoism!