Why should dog owners watch for arousal levels during ball chase games?
Mixed evidence basis (see the evidence summary)
By Dog Smart Training & Behaviour · · · 1 min read
In short
Chase activities are linked to the production of stress hormones, so it's healthier to limit launches, switch tasks, and favour calming activities like food foraging over repetitive high-arousal chasing.
The fuller picture
No.4 watch for arousal, I would stop at a few launches and change task, understand that this chase activity is linked with the production of stress hormones. It's far more healthy for your dog to be seeking with things like food foraging than chase activities. Food is good for slowing behaviours down or keeping them steady, play is good for increasing speed and drive but it can come at a cost and should be used in moderation. A good way to stop this (for the human) is to make play measurable, for example set a limit of 3 launches in a single session then switch to a lower arousal task, maybe hide and seek the ball? Alternatively, use food to train and play in between as a rest break. It's been proven that play at the end of the session helps with retaining learning.