Woman Buys Box of Tennis Balls for 'Obsessed' Dog—Backfires Spectacularly

Newsweek

4 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Thinking her tennis ball-obsessed dog would be thrilled with an endless supply, one owner learned the hard way that sometimes less is more.
Owner Mackenzie's chocolate Labrador cannot get enough of playing with tennis balls. While many dogs love playing with any ball, as the chase and catch mimics their hunting instincts, the color and texture of a tennis ball specifically capture a canine's attention, according to Rover. They see the color better, and the fuzziness feels good in their mouths.
Mackenzie told Newsweek via TikTok that she found a box at a local thrift store filled with nothing but tennis balls, and immediately thought this giant box would last longer. Plus, with the store selling her the entire box for half off, it was a no-brainer to purchase.
"We have two dogs and go through a lot of tennis balls because the dogs lose them when we're out," she said. "Our other dog likes to tear them apart, so I'm constantly buying new ones."
She expected her dogs to love the endless supply; however, her July 18 TikTok video posted to her account @mackshaneen showed the Labrador not reacting as a tennis-ball "obsessed" canine would.
Screenshots from a July 18 TikTok video of a chocolate Labrador running away from the box of tennis balls her owner bought her.
Screenshots from a July 18 TikTok video of a chocolate Labrador running away from the box of tennis balls her owner bought her.
@mackshaneen/TikTok
In the clip, her dog stood by her side, tail wagging in anticipation of discovering what items were in the box. Mackenzie hyped it up, asking her dog if she was ready. Then, all at once, she tipped the box over and let the tennis balls go flying all over the floor.
Mackenzie believed the endless supply would've made her dog jump for joy, but instead, the dog took off running. Her paws slipped on the floor, but that didn't stop her from continuing out the door.
Thankfully, once the tennis balls stopped bouncing off the floor, Mackenzie said her dog turned a corner, embracing her favorite toy with open paws.
Tennis Ball Safety
While tennis balls are generally safe toys for canines, owners should be cautious about potential hazards.
Rover stressed that dogs might try to swallow the fuzzies from the tennis ball, or even the entire ball, which can lead to choking or stomach problems. The fuzzy covering can also wear down your dog's teeth over time.
To keep them safe, always supervise your canine during playtime. Find the right size ball—easy to carry and pick up—that your dog will not swallow. Toss out any worn-out or torn balls. Be sure to teach your dog the "drop it" command, as it comes in handy any time you need to take it away.
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