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Teaching dogs to play ball
CocoPopsLover
Posts: 500 Forumite
I have been trying to teach my dogs to play ball, with a little sucess. have 2 staffs incase your wondering!
have tried several methods
1.Throwing a ball and when they throw the ball, hold another one in my hand so they come running back with the other one to get the one in my hand
failed- they just drop that one and come back for the one in my hand
2. Treating them with mackarel and a huge 'good boy/girl' when they come back with the ball
failed- this only worked the first 2 times, they seem to pick the ball up, come with it and then drop it like 100 metres away from me and then they come back to me empty handed wagging their tailed with a look of excitement
3. i have tried offering them normal treats
failed- they are too fixated on the ball
So can anyone offer anything
The boy seems to get it but he drops the ball about a metre away, never closer but the girl just doesnt come back with it, or runs in circles with it or just drops it and sits on it.
At first i thought that maybe they are not interested or maybe its just not their thing but as soon as i walk up to the ball and pick it up the get all crazy, wag their tails, do some funky dances and then they then calm down and sit down patiently waiting for me to throw the ball
So the interested is there but can anyone help me get the tecnique down?
have tried several methods
1.Throwing a ball and when they throw the ball, hold another one in my hand so they come running back with the other one to get the one in my hand
failed- they just drop that one and come back for the one in my hand
2. Treating them with mackarel and a huge 'good boy/girl' when they come back with the ball
failed- this only worked the first 2 times, they seem to pick the ball up, come with it and then drop it like 100 metres away from me and then they come back to me empty handed wagging their tailed with a look of excitement
3. i have tried offering them normal treats
failed- they are too fixated on the ball
So can anyone offer anything
The boy seems to get it but he drops the ball about a metre away, never closer but the girl just doesnt come back with it, or runs in circles with it or just drops it and sits on it.
At first i thought that maybe they are not interested or maybe its just not their thing but as soon as i walk up to the ball and pick it up the get all crazy, wag their tails, do some funky dances and then they then calm down and sit down patiently waiting for me to throw the ball
So the interested is there but can anyone help me get the tecnique down?
'Sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut'
:j
0
Comments
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My GSD was taught 'bit closer' .. I didnt train him so not sure but I'm guessing (or how I would do it)
Roll the ball or throw it gently but keep it close - just a few feet...( indoors? stops them running away like a mad thing) & when they pick it up, say 'bit closer' & reward like mad if they manage to bring it closer to you than where you threw it.
Once they are returning the ball close enough reliably, start throwing the ball a little further.... until you have a proper game of fetch going! Even if they do like mine sometimes drop it 'miles' away, you have a second command to use.. as well as 'fetch'.
' bit closer'
Looks dead impressive too - at least by the faces people give me the 1st time they see him do it :rotfl:I THINK is a whole sentence, not a replacement for I KnowSupermarket Rebel No 19:T0 -
CocoPopsLover wrote: »
At first i thought that maybe they are not interested or maybe its just not their thing but as soon as i walk up to the ball and pick it up the get all crazy, wag their tails, do some funky dances and then they then calm down and sit down patiently waiting for me to throw the ball
They seem to be training you to come 'fetch' the ball once they have 'found' it... & then to throw it again for them :rotfl: - Not daft Staffies are they
I THINK is a whole sentence, not a replacement for I KnowSupermarket Rebel No 19:T0 -
I saw an amusing situation in my local park. Cross border collie, young dog, bright as a button and very fast - playing with a much older mogrel dog.
The owner was throwing a frisbee on a downhill slope so that the frisbee took a long time to reach the ground, usually about 100 yards away.
When the frisbee was thrown, both dogs set off in pursuit but the collie, being more agile, always reached the frisbee before the other dog was halfway there.
The collie would sprint back to the mongrel and give the frisbee to him so that he could plod back and proudly give it to the owner.
What a kind nature the collie had - or was there an ulterior motive, I wonder!0 -
My GSD was taught 'bit closer' .. I didnt train him so not sure but I'm guessing (or how I would do it)
Roll the ball or throw it gently but keep it close - just a few feet...( indoors? stops them running away like a mad thing) & when they pick it up, say 'bit closer' & reward like mad if they manage to bring it closer to you than where you threw it.
Once they are returning the ball close enough reliably, start throwing the ball a little further.... until you have a proper game of fetch going! Even if they do like mine sometimes drop it 'miles' away, you have a second command to use.. as well as 'fetch'. ' bit closer'
Looks dead impressive too - at least by the faces people give me the 1st time they see him do it :rotfl:
Ha! Thanks!
I might try that one!!! I really dont want to give this up! I want to see this through!'Sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut':j0 -
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lol @ david39'Sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut':j0
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Good luck - had mine for 10 years, and she still picks up the ball and legs it at speed in the opposite direction. Retrieval is clearly not a bull terrier trait!All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.0 -
CocoPopsLover wrote: »Ha! Thanks!
I might try that one!!! I really dont want to give this up! I want to see this through!
I really would give it a try, its also useful for those ' i dont want to put the lead back on & go home' moments ... lol I can usually grab the collar before he realises he hasnt 'fetched' anything :rotfl:I THINK is a whole sentence, not a replacement for I KnowSupermarket Rebel No 19:T0 -
lol! good one!'Sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut':j0
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My Grandparents dog will fetch its the relenting bit so you can throw it again is the problem.0
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