So I have bought crabcake probably 75-100 toys in his first year. By far his favorite are these tennis balls that squeak. If he is outside and sees another tennis ball he doesn't care at all but he loves these things. The problem becomes he is absolutely transfixed by the ball. If he loses it under the couch (which he does sometimes twice a minute), he starts barking and going nuts. Keep in mind he never barks at anything, including if other dogs are barking at him. I really like to make him happy, but at the same time the constant barking and getting on my knees to get the ball is exasperating, especially considering he is so panicked when he constantly loses it. I try not to reward the barking but he really doesn't ease up. About three weeks ago I tried taking away the balls and replacing them with assorted other toys, for 10 days he would not forget the ball, he would look under the couch, occasionally bark, and then would do this whimpering thing that I have never seen him do. So after that it was his birthday, so I decided to give him some new balls. He loves them but again I have the loud barking when he loses it under the table.
I have tried short timeouts to combat the barking, but it either doesn't register with him why he was put in his crate, or he is too transfixed on the balls to care. In fact after he has a nap he sometimes ignores his food in order to find a ball. I'm really lost on this one, because I love to see him happy and the balls certainly do that, but at the same time it is pretty exhausting constantly dealing with the barking and finding his balls, and sometimes he barks under the couch when there is nothing under there. Any suggestions on how to proceed here? He really is the absolutely sweetest boy, and so well behaved in every other way. Thanks for any help!
I have tried short timeouts to combat the barking, but it either doesn't register with him why he was put in his crate, or he is too transfixed on the balls to care. In fact after he has a nap he sometimes ignores his food in order to find a ball. I'm really lost on this one, because I love to see him happy and the balls certainly do that, but at the same time it is pretty exhausting constantly dealing with the barking and finding his balls, and sometimes he barks under the couch when there is nothing under there. Any suggestions on how to proceed here? He really is the absolutely sweetest boy, and so well behaved in every other way. Thanks for any help!
back inside knowing I will scold him and take it away. I guess small victories are a big thing for him. 
and [MENTION=16776]Hceril[/MENTION] I tell ya, I know your pain.. lol Hank is a lover of having me retrieve his toys. I decided though early on in 'this' game, I just point to my right or left b/4 I attempt to get the toy and he runs and sits and waits for the toy/ball whatever. He was grabbing fast so we changed that up real fast. It's cool to see how well he understands stuff when he wans to. Hes' a smart cookie and will freeze there until I 'ok' him to get the toy. we even practice the 'no touch' often when he gets into obsessive mode. calms him down knowing that once he's looks at me instead of toy, he gets the toy.
