2 Ball Fetch.... advice needed

[DTJazz]

I can't blame my youngest for this video post....

Jazz is very ball driven, see the video, I use this game for exercise and training ie come, sit, down etc and have started using the ball in my hand and doing off lead heelwork etc I also throw the ball into the long grass and say 'go find' so that she is using her nose and working rather than just running... BUT

This is all without distraction - how do I take the training a step or 2 further... she still needs to improve on lead pulling when she sees other dogs and her recall under distraction. But I'm keen to continue to try new things. We go to a training class once or twice a week for the basics - her off lead recall is still ropey (wants to play)!

So any advice on how to keep progressing much appreciated..

2 ball fetch game - YouTube

2 ball fetch game - YouTube

[jesterjenn]

If she's really ball driven, when she sees another dog, have you tried playing with the ball with her (ball on a rope would be ideal), and giving the ball to her as a reward for not focussing on the dog?

With regards to recall, have you got a long line? I'd suggest one of these if not, and just keep hold of the handle when there's a dog around and still practice your heelwork/ball work with her (totally ignore the dog if possible), but you're safe in the knowledge that she's still on a lead, so can't go anywhere

Looking good! One thing I do with a straight recall, is call the dog in an excited tone and when it comes back give lots of vocal praise. The reward needs to be closely linked to her doing the right behaviour, so as soon as she's back to you 'Yay!! Good girl!' in an OTT excited way. Don't wait for her to sit (unless that's what you're teaching) get the praise in early.

If you're teaching recall and present retrieve object then that's different and you want to praise her at the end of that, when she's presented it to you right in front of your legs. More structured retrieve. As she's so keen this should be easy to progress to.

[DTJazz]

Are you suggesting that my dullsive Glaswegian tones dont sound exciting enough?

My lunge rein is only 6m and not long enough for this type of game... but yes I have used the ball as a way of distracting her.... altho she is a sharp cookie... fetches ball and then detours to see the other dog

[sami]

Ask at your training class if they do any tracking. Max loved it. You take a fav toy of hers and then set a trail and she has to track the trail to find the toy (sorry if you already knew this!!)

[jesterjenn]

Originally Posted by DTJazz

Are you suggesting that my dullsive Glaswegian tones dont sound exciting enough?

My lunge rein is only 6m and not long enough for this type of game... but yes I have used the ball as a way of distracting her.... altho she is a sharp cookie... fetches ball and then detours to see the other dog

Put the ball onto a lead and drag it back towards you so she follows the ball

[TiasDad]

I get my inspiration from You Tube, I've completed the beginners tricks from here ..
SHAKTIShiloh's Channel - YouTube

and am slowly getting through the advanced tricks, here ....
SHAKTIShiloh's Channel - YouTube

In the second one there's a cool 2 ball fetch which should inspire

[Bonniesmummy]

Originally Posted by DTJazz

I can't blame my youngest for this video post....

Jazz is very ball driven, see the video, I use this game for exercise and training ie come, sit, down etc and have started using the ball in my hand and doing off lead heelwork etc I also throw the ball into the long grass and say 'go find' so that she is using her nose and working rather than just running... BUT

This is all without distraction - how do I take the training a step or 2 further... she still needs to improve on lead pulling when she sees other dogs and her recall under distraction. But I'm keen to continue to try new things. We go to a training class once or twice a week for the basics - her off lead recall is still ropey (wants to play)!

So any advice on how to keep progressing much appreciated..

2 ball fetch game - YouTube

Aww jazz is doing great I used the exact game to teach bonnie come! As for the distractions, I'd play the same game with your kids playing nearby.. Gradually step up up to playing the same game in the park with the long line on

P.s where is that place your at in the vid? & lmao at dulcet Glaswegian tones

[gsdlover4ever]

With teaching Zara to work under distractions... I would work her on a long line and do some OB heal work... left, rights turns, sits, downs... etc...


I would also attach the ball on a rope to her long line and we would play tug when she performed the tasks above and she would be told leave if she looked at the distraction. If she kept her eyes on me she would be praised with very high pitched squeals of "good girl” I would make it out that it was the best thing in the world...
I would starts of at a distance and eventually get closer and closer to the distraction... gradually.
Also if she did get distracted for whatever reason... I would quickly run backwards shacking the ball about with more high pitches squeals and get her attention on me.

The point of the exercise is to make the game, OB exercise far more exciting than any distractions.

[DTJazz]

Originally Posted by Bonniesmummy

Aww jazz is doing great I used the exact game to teach bonnie come! As for the distractions, I'd play the same game with your kids playing nearby.. Gradually step up up to playing the same game in the park with the long line on

P.s where is that place your at in the vid? & lmao at dulcet Glaswegian tones

For those of you living 'down south' - I will include sign language or an interpreter on future videos

Aud - its a field between Bishopbriggs and Lenzie - sadly the fence is because they are now starting to build 150 houses on greenbelt!

Thanks all for tips and links... when people say long line are you all meaning longer than 6m? (20 feet)