Is Finn Special?

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

When I got Yankee, it was just him and I for almost 2 years. I played with him every day. Now I have Finn and I am wondering if he is special. He can't catch a ball!!!!!
Is he still young (9 mos)and may learn later? Is it because I didn't spend one on one time with him?

Sometimes it's downright embarrassing. At home, I will bounce a ball and he jumps up in the air but nowhere near the ball. At first, I was in stitches but now I'm wondering if he is just special. I will even bounce it where it lands on his nose and he still doesn't catch it.

Of course both my doodles are special to me.

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is so funny, Darwin is the same way. I would think that from his Poodle/Golden lineage he would be agile... nope! He is by far the slowest pup in his playgroup, constantly tumbles and fall, and is horrible with "fetch" oh well. We love his big goofy clumsiness. Perhaps the skills will come with age?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sounds just like my 2. I don't think special ed. is required. Just maturation.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Be glad, Linda; Finn doesn't have that oral fixation of having the ball itself in his mouth that so many of them have. That can truly become an annoying obsession. Finn is a true retriever- he goes to get it and brings it back. What more could you want? After all, field dogs don't "catch" the pheasants, lol. And they sure don't walk around chomping on them all day!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Finn is interested, he waits with anticipation but once I throw it, it's all paws everywhere but no ball in his mouth. He will actually go get it and bring it to me and I have no problem taking it out of his mouth. Yankee hangs on to the ball until I tell him I'm not playing anymore.

[GBK]

Kona doesn't have a problem with the ball, but can't catch a treat in her mouth to save her life! If I throw it just right and real close she sometimes will catch it, but usually she just looks toward the floor to see where it lands :)

[Brenda F]

I think Pepsi must be special too, then. I have been unsure if it is something I really need to work on with him or if it just comes naturally. He doesn't really show much interest either. He will run and get something if I throw it, but that is it. He refuses to bring it back to me. If I entice him with a treat he will just drop whatever he has, about 10 feet away from me and then come for the treat. I have worked with him a lot on this too. He doesn't seem to be that interested. Oh, but he is so so so special. We love him so much.

[Michele Barton]

Finn is probably just not interested. Gus and Molly are littermates; Molly loves to catch the ball, and is very very good at it; Gus just sits there and lets it bounce off his head. I've tried all different types of balls, a frisbee, his plushy toys, everything...nothing works. But he is a super cuddler!

[Ann Kendig]

I too worked with Sheba on catching. She showed interest from day one. Duke on the other hand is special, and not only in the ball catching department. I truly think he was dropped on his head (not by me) as a small pup :) I will toss a ball to him...he sees it coming...and it bounces off his head...no attempt to catch it. I could do it for 5 minutes straight and get the same response! He will chase a ball or frisbee however and will bring it back.

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

The first Goldendoodle I fostered was just the same. He was 1 year old and I found it hilarious that when the ball was about to land he would jump, and when the ball bounced he would be heading towards the ground. His eyesight was fine, and he was very clever (an Assistance Dog in training) but he had NO co-ordination. I wish I had filmed him. Welly is an excellent catcher, I think it's just a skill that not all dogs (or people) have :)

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Jane, you cracked me up too. As I was reading your answer, I was taking it seriously and then..........LOL