When we're out walking without a ball, Dexter will interact with other dogs and play with his friends. he is very timid and his first reaction (whether on the lead or off) is to roll onto his back when meeting another dog, but he gets on fine with most dogs once he's met them a couple of times.

When we have a ball, however, he completely ignores all other distractions, including dogs, and focusses all his attention on where the ball might be going. in fact he often sets off hopefully before I've thrown it, then scents for it if he doesn't see it land. He even left a bitch in season (why her owners were letting her run round off the lead in dog walking territory is another issue!) to chase the ball.(which did surprise me!)

Once he's picked up the ball, he seems to be much more aware of his surroundings - so much so that his friend Mindy the springer tends to let him fetch the ball, jogs up to him, looks at him, he drops the ball, she picks it up and brings it back to her Dad! (why have a dog and bark yourself, eh Mindy?).

Anyhow, just wondered if this amount of focus was unnatural in an 11 month old dog? Or is he doing the usual spaniel trick of taking a hobby and turning it into grand obsession? Should I worry, or just enjoy him enjoying himself as his tail never stops wagging while he's on the hunt!

We have the same with Bailey, if we have a ball, that's all she cares about, and will ignore other dogs, including our Tess. So we don't always take a ball on walks, or if we do, we only get it out occasionally, or just for retrieving from water, so that she gets used to walks without it.

As long as there is no ball, she is happy to run about and interact with other dogs, (but always sits in the river head cocked waiting for you to throw something!).

Kate xx

Cheers - I'll stop worrying and let him get on with enjoying himself

you could use this to your advantage... it sounds like you have found what makes your dog tick and future training will be easy if you can harness this

I agree with Conkersmum .

Our working cocker foster is just like this. If he has a ball, he is completely, totally focussed on it.

He is going to a flyball/agility home, and they've said his enthusiasm for the ball is just what they need. He also scents the ball without seeing it land.