Ball reward?

[gsdraven]

What is your favorite ball reward? If you use a ball reward, how do you use it in a class setting?

Now some backgroud on why I am asking.... I always knew Kaiser had a strong ball drive. When evaluating him at the shelter, he was really focused on treats but never took his eyes off the tennis ball when we brought it out. He's worked really well for treats until tonight at class when the instructors brought toys (which included a squeaky ball ) out for distraction training. I could not get Kaiser's focus back so the instructor gave us the squeaky ball to use and Kaiser paid attention again! I thought that after the toys went away we could switch back to the treats but it just wasn't happening so I might as well embrace the magical ball powers and use that as his reward (bonus is he won't get fat!).

I'm not quite sure how to use the ball as a reward however because when I give it to him, he usually lays down and chews on it which isn't an ideal reward when on the go (heeling). So what kind of ball do you use as a reward and how do you reward with it?

[Elaine]

You can use a ball on a string so you can play tuggy with it instead of throwing it in class.

[Rerun]

I just started Dante on a ball on a rope reward and was wondering this too. He gets pretty excited for the ball and I'm not sure how well that would work in a large group class.

[Elaine]

It doesn't matter if you like the tugs or the ball on a string, so long as you don't throw it in class. You can play tuggie with either one and they work great.

[Liesje]

I use the medium Gappay balls from Hallmark K9


Like Elaine says, I usually drop it and we tug as the reward. Sometimes I toss it, like during agility getting him to drive away from obstacles and such, but that's an outdoor class with much more space.

It has caused other dogs to get over stimulated in the past. My solution? I bring several, and let the other owners borrow them until they their their dogs a ball on a string! I know what motivates and rewards my dog, I won't not use it because other owners have trouble getting their dogs to focus and interact with them.

[Mrs.K]

I came across the everlasting fun ball on a rope. It's the best ball I have had so far.