11/03/2026
That is one happy, satisfied Scooby.
Playing with the herding ball isn't just about letting the dog run around, biting and barking at the ball; it involves guiding the dog through as much of their predatory motor pattern as possible.
Eye - Stalk - Chase - Stop/Block - Grab bite.
Between each behaviour in the predatory motor pattern, the dog experiences a spike in dopamine. This makes the dog feel great, satisfying their need and leaving them content afterward.
However, allowing the dog to simply push the ball by biting and barking could raise arousal levels too high, potentially negatively impacting behaviour rather than satisfying their needs.
Therefore, it's not just about letting the dog bite and bark at the ball; it's about getting them to perform their natural job as closely as possible.
