Bob snaps at the ball to grab it & play the game of throw the ball & bring it back. I found if I play the game without the other two dogs around there is less snapping for the ball. I do gently roll the ball along the ground & at times if the sun is not out & shining he can see it better. The gloves I wear when I have all three dogs out playing ball, & retriving. One dog will drop the ball at my feet, the other younger one ( black lab belongs to my son) will allow me to remove the ball from his mouth or drop it aways from me. Bob he takes his ball & holds on to it & with the other dogs around he growls at them & then will snap to keep them away while I take the ball from his mouth. That is when the snapping goes on. I like the game you play with your dog. It sounds like fun. Old Bob likes to sleep a lot. So we go on hikes but it has to be in the open fields. He jumps around & acts like a young pup when go for hikes. It is good exercise for us both.