we have had major problems with this and have been to a trainer as it was getting very embarrasing. the things we try are keeping practising leave it at home. and aslo giving pepper the idea that we own the ball not him and we always play by our rules. therefore we do not leave balls around the house for him to play with . when we go out in the garden i throw the ball , he is treated when he brings the ball back and gives it to me . before we play i play with the baal throwing it up to show it is my ball. i choose when the game finishes.
for all that it is still a problem. i need to take a ball out now and practise outside,but it needs to be in a condfined area as he will just run off with it outside,
the problem of getting a ball of another dog, i can only suggest
1. try to look ahaead and avoid situation, main thing is to get your dog to you before he starts chainsing after another dogs ball.
2. i foind if he gets a ball , the more i try to get it back the worse he is. Apparently i am giving him the message that this is a precious resource and worth gaurding. usually it works best if i walk away . he tends then to hide / drop the ball . i reward him when he follows me, put him on the lead and then go back, find ball and return to owner, normally very embarrased!
we are still working on it, and he is a but better. oh one oher thing for training we p0lay with the ball , i put it doen say leave it, treat, push ball between my feet and reward a leave. when he is reluctant and puts his paw on the ball i say ;'min' firmly and pick it up.
i will be very nterested if you find anything else that works. to date i have also tried taking out another ball to entice pepper to swop but it hasn't worked yet.
good luck.
