I have a schnauzer that just had puppies. (3 days ago and her first litter) We had 4 but one died the second night after trying so hard to save it. I wrapped it up and put it aside but not "UP" as I did not think dogs would have anything to do with a sick pup. And it was 3 AM. She got the dog, unwrapped it and put it back in the whelping box, then woke me up. Of course she was upset when I took it away again. Now if her ball obsession had occurred after this I would be suspecting that she was replacing that 4th spot, but she did this prior to that also. She will get her ball and place it in the box right next to her pups. When I take it away she will spend a lot of time looking for it and whining. She seems to have comfort with the ball being there, so I don't know if I should really take it away or just let this obsession continue. Is she offering it up to her puppies to play with or what. She has always loved to play ball and will bring me the ball if I am in another room. When I throw it she runs, gets it and runs right back to the puppies. She is being a very good mother tending to her babies. Only a couple of times I have had to make her feed them. Hope someone has an answer. Sorry this is kind of long.