Fetch is one of the most heated topics in dog training: some guardians see it as an easy way to exercise a dog, while others (rightly) argue that it causes injuries and fuels unhealthy obsession. The discussion is often polarized but in reality the question of fetch is far more nuanced.
This article explores how fetch works on a continuum of risk, from high-impact, repetitive chasing to controlled, structured retrieves. It will break down:
- What makes fetch risky and why certain styles of play increase the chance of injury.
- How to modify fetch to make it safer, so dogs can still enjoy it without excessive wear and tear.
- The benefits of structured ball games, showing how they can be used for enrichment, training, and emotional regulation – in other words, why fetch shouldn’t be entirely abandoned.
In its most common form—on flat ground, at high speed, with repeated abrupt stops—fetch will indeed put excessive strain on a dog’s body and create fixation. However, with intentional modifications, it can be a valuable tool for both exercise and training. Rather than viewing fetch as just a singular game, ball games can be modified in ways that benefit both the dog’s body and mind. By taking a more intentional approach, we can move beyond the idea that fetch is either “good” or “bad” and instead make it a more sustainable and enriching activity.
What makes fetch risky?
Fetch is often either dismissed as harmless fun or condemned as dangerous and damaging. But the reality is more nuanced. Instead of making blanket statements, we need to look at what actually makes fetch risky—not just whether it’s played, but how it’s played, how often, and with what safeguards in place. The risks typically involved in fetch can be grouped into five key areas:
- Biomechanical risks related to the dog’s movement: Fetch involves explosive acceleration, sudden braking, and sharp turns, all of which put high-impact forces on a dog’s body. Abrupt deceleration overloads the shoulders, wrists, and spine, increasing the risk of shoulder hyperextension, chronic wrist strain, and lumbar compression. Sharp, repetitive turns place extreme rotational stress on the elbows, hips, and spine, leading to issues like elbow dysplasia, iliopsoas strains, and spinal misalignments.
- Dog-related factors that increase injury risk: Not all dogs handle high-impact activities the same way. Very young, old, overweight or unfit dogs face even greater strain, as excess weight increases the force on joints with every stop and turn. For example, if a dog has weak stabilizing muscles, they will struggle to control braking and turning, making them more prone to joint strain and muscle fatigue.
- Cumulative physical consequences of repeated fetch: Even if a dog doesn’t show immediate signs of injury, repetitive fetch can cause cumulative damage over time. The constant impact of high-speed chases and braking contributes to chronic overuse injuries, cruciate ligament tears, and joint degeneration (arthritis)—especially in dogs that play fetch frequently without structured conditioning or recovery.
- Emotional and behavioral risks of repetitive fetch: Fetch also affects a dog’s mental state. Many dogs become fixated on the game, struggling to disengage even when exhausted. This can lead to frustration, difficulty settling, and compulsive behaviors. Without structured breaks or an “all done” cue, some dogs become overstimulated and unable to shift between excitement and calmness which reinforcing poor arousal control.
- Ball-related safety hazards: the wrong type of ball can introduce additional dangers. Abrasive felt coatings on standard tennis balls wear down enamel over time, while hard, high-density rubber balls can fracture teeth when caught mid-air. Balls that are too small pose a choking hazard, and some designs can create a suction effect, making them difficult to remove in emergencies. High-bounce balls (e.g., rubber or standard tennis balls) increase the chance of sudden, awkward landings, raising the risk of injury.
By breaking down the risks into clear categories, we can understand where the dangers lie and take an analytical approach to mitigating them.
“Dogs are built for this—wolves chase prey at full speed and stop suddenly all the time.”
Yes, wild canids engage in high-impact movements, but their behaviours are significantly different from a human-controlled game of fetch. They don’t perform repetitive sprints and stops dozens of times in a row, and their movement patterns are dictated by terrain, strategy, and necessity, rather than an artificial, predictable, and repetitive action. Unlike fetch, natural chases often involve gradual acceleration and deceleration, not abrupt braking at full speed.
“I’ve been playing fetch for years, and my dog is fine.”
Many anecdotal reports suggest that fetch doesn’t cause obvious harm. There are countless dogs who play fetch daily without apparent issues. However, dogs are highly resilient and often don’t show pain until significant damage has already occurred. Many conditions, such as arthritis, intervertebral disc disease, and chronic tendonitis, develop over time. Even if a dog has no issues now, that doesn’t mean they won’t develop problems as they age – and since repetitive fetch creates microtraumas in the soft tissue, a dog can be seemingly fine until one day they acquire a serious soft tissue injury.
“Not all dogs are the same—some have better structure and are less injury-prone.”
It’s true that some dogs are structurally better suited for high-impact activities than others. A lean, well-muscled Border Collie with a moderate angulation may tolerate fetch better than an overweight Labrador with a straight front and poor joint conformation. However, no dog is immune to the biomechanical stresses of fetch. Certain structural traits increase risk, even in otherwise fit dogs:
- Breeds predisposed to orthopedic issues are inherently at higher risk of cumulative damage from repetitive fetch.
- Heavy-bodied dogs: More mass means greater impact forces on landing, increasing joint strain, especially in the front limbs. E.g. guardian breeds that are built for power rather than agility.
- Straight fronts (limited shoulder angulation): A dog’s front legs carry most of their body weight and absorb the majority of impact when stopping. Dogs with a straight front have more upright shoulder blades (scapula) and upper arms (humerus), which reduces the ability to flex and absorb shock. This puts more direct stress on the wrists (carpus), elbows, and shoulders, making abrupt stops and hard landings riskier. E.g. terriers are strong, muscular dogs but they have an upright front assembly, which can make sudden stops and tight turns more jarring on the front limbs. Bulldog-type dogs also tend to have very straight fronts with limited flexibility. Read more about structure here and here
How to modify fetch to make it safer
Fetch isn’t just “good” or “bad”—it exists on a spectrum of risk. Some ways of playing are far harder on a dog’s body than others, but small changes can shift it toward the safer end. The goal isn’t to ban fetch, but to make it something dogs can enjoy for years without breaking down their bodies. With controlled releases, soft ground, and low-bounce objects, we can keep dogs engaged while reducing injury risk.
With a few simple changes, fetch can be made far safer. Here’s how:
| Control the chase to mitigate abrupt deceleration and impact forces | Hold the dog before throwing so they see where the ball lands, reducing reckless, full-speed chases Throw into varied terrain (tall grass, bushes, forest floor) so the dog slows down and engages their nose rather than blindly chasing. Use a low-bounce ball or dummy to prevent unpredictable rebounds and sudden turns. |
| Reduce hard stops and sharp turns to reduce rotational stress in joints and muscles | Throw on soft ground like sand, deep grass, or forest floors to reduce landing stress. Water retrieves are an excellent alternative because they eliminate impact entirely. If using a hill, always throw uphill, not downhill—this forces the dog to slow down on approach rather than accelerating into a hard stop. |
| Improve overall conditioning to avoid muscle imbalance and repetitive overuse | Incorporate other exercises like hill sprints, core work, and swimming to develop overall fitness. Teach the dog to wait before retrieving to reduce impulsive sprints and improve self-control. Use structured play sessions rather than mindless repetition. Shorter, varied games are healthier than marathon fetch sessions. |
If you are worried about the specific risks linked to balls themselves, you can prevent dental damage and minimise choking risks by choosing the right ball.
Balls with non-abrasive surfaces are less damaging to teeth
Kong Squeakair balls have a non-abrasive felt surface, designed to be gentler on teeth.
Chuckit Ultra/Ultra Squeaker rubber balls and durafoam balls lack the abrasive coating of traditional tennis balls and are durable without being excessively hard.
Rabbit fur covered tennis balls also don’t have an abrasive surface – you can find them in hunting stores like this
For safety while retrieving
If you’re worried about choking risks, choose Chuckit Breathe Right balls that allow for better airflow, or Chuckit Ultra Squaker because it’s softer than the Ultra and therefore less likely to get stuck in a dog’s mouth. (Or if your dog likes other shapes, this might work too!)
If you’re worried about impact on teeth when catching, choose light foam balls like Chuckit Amphibious balls or Starmark Durafoam (or another foam ball brand). Chuckit Ambibious also comes in a special water ball.
Opting for non-bouncy or less bouncy balls reduces unpredictable rebounds, which can lead to awkward catches or sudden direction changes that stress the dog’s joints. Foam balls are in this category (although they will bounce a bit on very hard surfaces). Another example of a non-bouncy ball is a dummy ball, which is half-way to real dummies – however, some dogs may not consider them to be balls in the same way!
Biomechanical benefits of soft and varied terrain
Where fetch is played matters just as much as how it’s played. Hard, flat surfaces like pavement or packed dirt increase the forces absorbed by a dog’s body, while soft or varied terrain provides natural shock absorption, slows movement, and engages stabilizing muscles—reducing injury risk while promoting better overall conditioning.
- Reduced landing forces: When a dog stops suddenly on hard ground, the impact is transferred directly into their carpus (wrist) and shoulder joints, increasing the likelihood of repetitive strain injuries. Soft surfaces—such as sand, forest floors, snow, or deep grass—act as natural shock absorbers, helping to disperse impact forces and reduce joint stress over time.
- Natural speed regulation: Varied terrain naturally limits a dog’s ability to reach top speed, forcing them to adjust their stride rather than sprinting at full intensity. Since braking forces increase exponentially with speed, keeping movement slightly slower reduces the impact on front limbs and shoulders, making fetch less jarring on the body.
- Engagement of stabilizing muscles: Running on uneven or shifting ground forces the dog to engage core muscles, hip stabilizers, and small joint-supporting muscles—muscles that are often underdeveloped in dogs that only play fetch on flat, predictable surfaces. This promotes better overall strength and movement control, rather than the imbalanced musculature often seen in fetch-driven dogs who rely heavily on their hind legs for acceleration but lack stabilizing strength for braking and turning.
By choosing the right terrain, we can make fetch a safer, more physically beneficial activity that works with the dog’s body rather than against it.
“Soft surfaces aren’t always better—dogs can hyperextend joints in sand or twist their legs in uneven terrain.”
While soft terrain is generally lower impact, deep sand and uneven ground can introduce different injury risks, such as soft tissue strains. Fetch in water could also pose drowning risks for weaker swimmers. Context matters—soft terrain is safer for impact absorption, but handlers still need to supervise and adjust difficulty based on the dog’s fitness level. Water fetch should be done in shallow, controlled environments to prevent fatigue or inhaling water. Any activity carries some risk, but fetch on flat hard ground remains one of the highest-risk versions.
How structured ball play can benefit both body and mind
If you’ve only seen the downsides of fetch—injuries, obsession, and long-term wear and tear—it’s understandable to think that ball play should be avoided altogether, but the real issue isn’t the ball itself—it’s how we use it. When structured correctly, ball games can be versatile and effective tools for exercise, training, and engagement. They provide a controlled way to shape movement, build physical resilience, and reinforce essential skills like recall, impulse control, and problem-solving.
Physical benefits of structured ball games
Fetch be a tool for structured control over a dog’s movement and exercise intensity.
Instead of repetitive, high-adrenaline sprinting, structured retrieves can encourage varied movement patterns that develop different aspects of fitness while minimizing excessive strain. For example, retrieving in long grass requires the dog to adjust their pace and use their body more fluidly, rather than moving at maximum speed. Similarly, directing retrieves in zig-zag patterns or incorporating changes in direction helps build coordination, proprioception, and even distribution of muscle engagement. These variations not only improve athletic conditioning but also reduce joint wear and tear by preventing overuse of the same braking and turning mechanics.
Long-distance retrieves encourage varied gaits, particularly the gallop, which is essential for biomechanical health.
Dogs that lack opportunities to gallop properly may develop shortened stride patterns, reduced spinal flexibility, and imbalanced musculature, leading to stiffness, inefficient movement, and an increased risk of injury. Many dogs playing repetitive sprint-stop fetch rely too much on short bursts of acceleration, which overworks certain muscles while failing to engage the full-body stretch that galloping provides. Sustained galloping allows the dog to lengthen their stride, fully extend the spine, and engage stabilizing muscles throughout the body. This promotes better movement efficiency, reduces stiffness, and supports long-term joint health by distributing impact forces more evenly across the musculoskeletal system. Read more about the importance of movement here and here
It can promote full-body strength and endurance when used correctly.
Many people associate fetch with high-speed sprinting, but when structured thoughtfully, it can develop specific muscle groups and improve overall physical resilience. For example, retrieving uphill forces the dog to push off with their hind legs and core, rather than relying only on forward momentum. This strengthens the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back, which are essential for powerful and controlled movement. Because uphill running also naturally slows the dog’s approach to the ball, it reduces the jarring braking forces that typically impact the shoulders and wrists. Similarly, retrieving in deep terrain—such as snow, sand, or water—engages stabilizing muscles that don’t get as much use in flat, high-speed running. These environments require the dog to work harder with each step, improving overall efficiency and endurance while reducing strain on weight-bearing joints.
Can you get these benefits without using balls and “fetch” (in the broadest sense of the word)? Of course, but using a ball may be one of the easiest and most convenients tools for these purposes – if only we use it correctly.
Mental benefits of structured ball games
A ball-obsessed dog doesn’t have to be a problem—it can be an advantage. The key isn’t to ban the ball, but to use it with purpose.
It can be used to train important life skills.
A high-value ball can be more than just a toy—it’s a controlled stimulus that allows dogs to practice steadiness, recall, and impulse control in a structured way. The urge to chase and retrieve provides an opportunity to teach delayed gratification by asking the dog to wait before being released or return immediately upon recall, even in moments of excitement. This makes fetch not just a game, but a valuable tool for reinforcing self-control and responsiveness to cues in real-world situations.
It can enhance enrichment and serve as a powerful motivator for training.
A ball that holds high value for a dog can be used to create mentally stimulating activities beyond simple chasing. Hiding a ball for the dog to find taps into their natural scenting ability, providing cognitive engagement alongside physical exercise. Unlike repetitive fetch, this kind of search-based play requires problem-solving and independent thinking. Additionally, the strong desire for a ball makes it a powerful motivator in training. This is why professional detection dog trainers specifically select dogs with a strong ball drive—it gives them a high-value reward that keeps them engaged during complex training tasks. Without that intrinsic motivation, training in demanding environments would be far more difficult. Even for pet dogs, using a ball as a reward can make learning more engaging and effective, whether for obedience, tricks, or structured working roles.
It can help you train the dog to regulate their arousal and build frustration tolerance.
Many ball-obsessed dogs struggle with stopping or disengaging from an activity they enjoy, leading to frustration, compulsive behaviors, or difficulty calming down. Instead of avoiding ball play altogether, it can be used as a structured way to teach arousal regulation. For example, incorporating an “all done” cue teaches the dog to transition from high-energy excitement to calmness. Over time, they learn that the ball does not always need to be in play and that stopping the game is predictable and manageable rather than frustrating. This ability to shift between states of excitement and relaxation improves emotional control, making the dog more adaptable in other aspects of life.
Making an informed choice about risks and benefits
Fetch, in its most common form, carries substantial risks, particularly when played on hard, flat surfaces with unrestricted sprinting and abrupt stops. However, by modifying the way we play, we can shift fetch along the continuum—transforming it from a reckless, high-impact game into a structured, safe, and enriching activity.
Every handler must determine their acceptable level of risk, but the best approach is to err on the side of injury prevention while still keeping the game engaging. After all, the ultimate goal is not just exercise—but longevity, health, and sustainability for our dogs.
What dogs love isn’t the act of fetch itself—it’s the chase, the anticipation, and the reward of retrieving. Those same drives can be channeled into safer, varied activities (e.g., controlled retrieves, scent work, swimming retrieves) and various modifications can make fetch less risky without taking away the fun.
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