Why Fetch Isn’t as Harmless as It Looks: The Science Behind the Risks

Before you grab your chuck-it read this first!

Fetch is one of the most common games we play with our dogs. It feels natural, fun, and a great way to burn off energy. While fetch has its place, research in canine biomechanics and sports medicine shows that this classic game can quietly take a toll on our dog’s body, especially when it becomes part of our daily routine.

This article is not scare you, but to educate you on what the game is doing to your dog’s body. It’s about understanding the real physical demands of the game so we can keep our dogs healthy, safe, and sound for the long run.

1. Fetch Is a High-Intensity, Plyometric Activity

Fetch isn’t just running. It’s sprinting, braking, twisting, leaping, and accelerating repeatedly in rapid succession. These are plyometric movements, defined as explosive muscle actions that require significant force production and absorption.

Studies in canine sports medicine show that:

• Dogs can reach speeds of 15–35 mph depending on breed.

• Sudden braking at high speeds can generate forces multiple times the dog’s body weight.

• Tight turns significantly increase torque on joints, especially shoulders, wrists (carpi), and stifles (knee).

• This means that a 60-lb dog braking or pivoting at a full sprint can load its soft tissues with hundreds of pounds of force—over and over in a single play session.

2. Shoulders and Front Limbs Take the Brunt of the Impact

Unlike humans, dogs place about 60% of their body weight on the front limbs at rest. During high-speed fetch, that percentage increases dramatically.

Biomechanical studies indicate:

• Landing forces during jumping or catching can overload the biceps tendon, supraspinatus, and the stabilizing muscles of the shoulder.

• Repetitive high-impact loading is linked to common agility and sporting dog injuries, such as supraspinatus tendinopathy and medial shoulder syndrome.

• Fetch encourages repeated sprint–brake–pivot cycles, which are precisely the motions associated with shoulder soft-tissue injury.

• This risk increases if the ball bounces erratically or if the dog leaps and lands awkwardly.

3. Slippery Surfaces and Poor Footing Increase the Injury Risk

Fetch often takes place in environments that aren’t ideal for intense athletic movement:

• Wet grass

• Uneven fields

• Snow

• Hardwood floors

• Smooth patios/concrete

Studies on ground reaction forces show that poor traction increases the likelihood of soft-tissue injury because the dog must compensate with greater muscular effort to avoid slipping. The faster the dog moves, the more dangerous a slight slip becomes.

4. Repetition Without Conditioning Is a Recipe for Overuse Injuries

Canine research consistently notes that repetition is a major contributor to chronic injury, especially when performed without targeted conditioning. Think of fetch like asking a human to run repeated wind sprints and box jumps with no warm-up, no strength training, and no rest days.

Common overuse injuries associated with repetitive fetch include:

• Iliopsoas strains

• Biceps tendinopathy

• Supraspinatus strain

• Carpal (wrist) hyperextension injuries

• Lumbar muscle strain

Dogs with existing orthopedic or structural issues (like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, or early arthritis) are at even higher risk.

5. The Adrenaline Factor Masks Pain

Dogs in a high-drive state produce adrenaline and endorphins, which temporarily mask soreness, fatigue, and pain. Research in canine behavior shows that fetch is a self-rewarding activity—it activates dopamine pathways associated with addiction-like patterns.

What does this mean:

• Dogs will keep playing well past the point of fatigue.

• Owners may not see the limp, stiffness, or soreness until hours later.

• “Ball obsession” often push themselves into injury.

6. There Are Better, Safer Alternatives

Fetch doesn’t need to disappear from your dog’s life, but it should be part of a balanced exercise routine and not solely relied upon for a way to burn energy.

Safer options include:

• Structured conditioning exercises for core, hindlimbs, and front limb

• Nose work or scent games, which build focus without high impact

• Flirt pole play, done with controlled movements

• Puzzle toys and food-discovery games

• Off-leash decompression walks

• Swimming for low-impact cardio

If you want to keep fetch in your dog’s life:

1. Warm them up first (5–8 minutes of walking, sit to stands, down to stands, backing, side stepping, figure 8’s, etc).

2. Keep your sessions short:5 minutes is plenty for most dogs and do not repeat every day.

3. Allowing the ball or toy to come to a stop before releasing the dog to retrieve.

4. Play on good footing (grass or turf).

5. Avoid repeated jumping or mid-air catches.

6. Rotate in mentally enriching, lower-impact activities.

7. Cool down (with gentle stretching such as cookie stretches, elevated stands, and play bows after the heart rate has returned to normal).

Bottom Line

Fetch isn’t just “throw the ball and let the dog run.” It’s a high-intensity sport with real biomechanical demands. When we understand the forces involved, the repetitive loading, and the risks of poor footing or overuse, we can make better decisions about how often and how intensely we allow our dogs to play.

With thoughtful adjustments and proper conditioning, fetch can remain fun and safe-- so our dogs stay agile, strong, and injury-free for years to come.