In the morning I threw the ball for the dogs. I wanted to burn some energy off of them and was short on time this morning, so the ball would due for a while. I used the CHuck-it launcher along with a Chuck-it Ultra balls, for added distance and durability. Since the dogs are so fast, and I am a terrible thrower, I thought I needed the advantage of the Chuck-it thrower. This would also let the dogs run farther, thus getting more exercise.

Kate, my eldest Border collie, is a tennis ball popper. It only takes her a few minutes with a new tennis ball and she has it popped. That popping of tennis balls is a waste of money to me. Pressure-less tennis balls are better, but a lot of dogs will "skin" them. And after Tam got a piece of ball lodged in her intestines, which required surgery, I don't take any chances any longer, out they go.

I have had heard rumors that the fuzz on regular tennis balls can be pretty abrasive to the dog's teeth. We all have enough problems with our dog's, to add something else to the list, such as dental problems. I would recommend that if a dog chews and chews on tennis balls, that the owner change the type of ball that he is allowed to chew, in order to minimize problems with abrasion.

I have used the Chuck-it ultra balls for many years, with no problems, even with popping. They don't pick up stickers nearly as much as regular tennis balls. When in use and wash-off easily. I really like these ultra balls.

There is one more ball that I really like for my dogs to chase, and that is the Huck ball by West Paws Design. The Huck ball is heavier than the ultra balls, and depending on wind, will not fly as far as the ultra balls, but they are stronger and almost indestructible. I have given them to some of the most aggressive chewers that I know, and only one, a picker, was able to touch it at all, and was very minor damage. Usually I don't even see a tooth mark! This ball is solid with raised parts on the outside, which can massage the dog's gums and teeth.

During the early evening, I met my neighbor next door to get some zucchini for Decker's meals. She had never met him before, and I called him over to us as we talked. He was fine at first, then he let out a little growl. I excused myself and immediately corrected him, on the ground. I am suspecting that he is afraid of hats on people. Every time that he growls at someone, they are wearing a hat. I guess that I need to be wearing a hat around the house more often to help desensitize him.

When Kate was young, about 2 years old, she was afraid of hats. I was at a trial walking around with her and a friend of mine walked by. He was wearing just the hat off of a coat. No coat at all! She came unglued. I had to correct her several times for it. Later, I worked on desensitizing her with hats. Food can be your friend!