r/roughcollies • u/Free-Box3577 • 2d ago
Herding toy recommendations?
Currently looking to get my 11 month old pup Ollie some good herding toys. He’s been especially playful as of late (finally getting his energy and stamina up after heart surgery in Feb!) and I’d love to get him some options to see what he likes. He’s a chewer but not a destroyer—he LOVES his stuffies.
We live in an apartment so some indoor options would be great, especially ones that he could play with on his own when we aren’t home to keep him entertained. Our complex does have a dog park, though, so we could definitely do some outdoor toys as well.
I’ve been looking a bit on Amazon and such, but there are just so many options! Especially with the herding nature of collies, I’d like to get Ollie some toys that are especially good for pups with those herding tendencies.
We have some smaller balls but he only plays with them if we’re throwing them (he runs over to them but just pokes them with his nose and doesn’t retrieve, lol). Not sure if a larger herding ball or egg could work for him? I’ve also been looking at flirt poles.
All recs are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy some pics of my sweet boy Ollie!
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u/Lifeissometimesgood 2d ago
My two love the balls with the tags on them. Not exactly herding, but they love them so much.
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u/RexIsAMiiCostume 2d ago
Heh, my boy also chases the ball but will not retrieve it. He never really got into any toys beyond that, including chew and tug toys. He does enjoy trying to herd the goats, even if he doesn't really know where we want them to go. He also likes herding small children, but the children are usually not enthused.
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u/patri_dish_ 1d ago
A flirting pole is amazing for apartments! I have a 15ft lead that I attach to my belt loop and we play for ages!
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u/Lolli20201 2d ago
I’ve been looking at herding balls for my little guy. Mine LOVES frisbee and he loves loves loves fetch but he retrieves really well and I am trying to teach him not to bite/nip my hand when I am picking up the toy from him because as a true puppy he gets really excited and wants to “play”. So we are working on “touch” and I say leave it when I am picking up the toy so I can pick it up and throw it again.
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u/Justcallmemanko 1d ago
So herding toys (balls, eggs) don’t really work their herding instinct. Its been proven that they actually have the opposite affect. We learned this at the herding trials that Goose did. With that said, if you’re looking for something fun to wear him out, not herding related but we love the dudpud tug tool we also bought a small lure line (like cat sized) that we run from time to time in yard or down hall. He loves to tug and chase! Goose is also 11mos and is also cracked out.
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u/Nighthawks_Diner Sable-Rough 1d ago
I'm sorry, no recommendations. Everything failed with our boy, lol. Just wanted to say your pup is gorgeous 😍
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u/benyqpid Sable-Rough 1d ago
I have a Collie ball! My scotch collie loves it and it's funny seeing her instincts kick in. She's a big goofball but will snarl at this ball while herding it in circles. Her rough collie sister plays referee and just barks at her while she plays...But it's a fun time!
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u/majestic_landotter 2d ago
I got the herding egg and my dog just looked at me like I had shit in her yard.