So, here's the story, and I feel a bit bad to be honest. I never normally interfere with what others are doing with their dogs but yesterday there was a couple with a five month old labradoodle. I spied a golf ball and went and picked it up because they are dangerous for my two, then I realised that the man had thrown it for his dog. I was secretly horror struck to be honest and I said would you mind because they can get stuck in the dog's throat. I even heard of a newfie who died when a tennis ball got stuck in his throat.

I just thought it was dangerous for their dog as well, to be honest, and I couldn't help but say so, in the nicest possible way. Now I feel that I should have perhaps minded my own business, but then if anything went wrong I would never forgive myself for not saying.

So am I being paranoid? The dog was only a puppy but certainly had a big enough mouth for it to get stuck.

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I dont think any dog should play with a golf ball as if they chew through the outer covering they could choke themselves eating the filling - or rather, this is what I knew 40 years ago - every chance the filling is different nowadays - but the size would still be an issue.

I would have had to say something too! Maybe they just hadn't thought.

I have said to someone with a GSD about one, as soon as I mentioned that should the ball get stuck in the throat there is NO way you can get it out with your fingers in the dogs wet mouth, he would be dead long before they could get him to the vet, they threw it in the bin, they just hadn't thought!

I have also been told that the pink stuff underneath the white coat on gold balls is harmful to dogs.

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. Erm... In a nutshell NO!!!!

It sounds pretty dangerous to me size - wise and they are not exactly soft if they are thrown and a dog manages to catch one (never mind that it could go straight down their throat).

As Blitz says, I would wonder about the filling as well.

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I am wary about throwing tennis balls to my dogs let alone a golf ball.

My neighbours dog chocked to death when the dog walker threw a tennis ball and it got stuck in the dogs mouth as he caught it. He was a big healthy labrador and there was nothing they could do to save him.

I don't think there is anything wrong in saying something, so long as you do it in a nice non confrontational way. The guy may have been unaware of the danger.

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I agree. The size of a golf ball it could so easily get stuck and choke them, I worry enough with Maisie and her tennis balls (she is ball obsessed though so not going to be able to change that).

You told them in a polite way so I don't see an issue. Minding our own business is the cause of a lot of this country's problems IMO.

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Maisie Labrador bn 28/07/09
Lucy Welsh Springer bn 01/08/11
Willow ESS 18/08/06-25/06/11 RIP baby xx

I have seen a dog choke on a golf ball and it was only someone being quite brutal that got it out before the dog died (it had pounced on one in a park on a walk)

I can't think of *any* breed I'd let play with one - my cats have one but they bat it around and when I get my pup, they will lose the golf ball

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That is exactly what happened to the newfie I heard about. Mine aren't really interested in balls, but Ferdie will sometimes run off with one so that I will chase him for it.

I am so glad everyone agrees with me. I absolutely hate interference, people telling me what to do with my dogs, but I really felt it was a dangerous thing for him to be playing with. I got the feeling it was their first dog, so they might not have thought anything of it.

They were ok about it, and I just said: It is a little too small for your dog, as well, if you don't mind my saying.

Ferdie used to steal the golfer's balls off their tees and run off with them so that I would chase him, and I had to explain to them that sorry I was not going to chase him for it or it might get stuck in his throat in the excitement. If I ignored him he usually dropped it, and they didn't want it back covered in slobber anyway!

__________________
http://www.gentle-newfoundland-dogs.com
http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/