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6cm soft and solid "football"
on a 1m long rope with a handle |
5cm two-tone hollow rubber ball
on 1m long rope with a handle |
If you would like to order some of these toys please visit our WEB SHOP
Reasons why Dog-Games stocks these toys -
These are ideal motivators for ball mad dogs! The 1 meter long rope on the ball
is sufficiently long enough that the ball can be dragged along the ground (bumping
along in a random bouncy fashion) for the dog to chase and "kill" (see Instincts). This long rope keeps the handler in
control of the motivator, as the dog cannot run off with it as a prize even
though it is on the ground.
Handlers can easily "catch" their dogs by the handle of its harness, as the dog is intent on playing
with the ball while they are holding the other end of the rope*.
By keeping the ball on the ground the dog is able to focus on it and is less
likely to be influenced by the handler's distracting body movements. This
is particularly useful when the dog is doing Bounce,
as the dog runs and jumps over the jumps in a straight line while concentrating
on the ball on the rope in the centre of the lane between the handler's feet,
or watch it being dragged along as the handler runs away.
As well as chasing the ball, the dogs can have a great time playing "tugger"
with their handler at the other end - an added bonus to earning the motivator
for doing the Game correctly.
*IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE HANDLER ROUTINELY
TAKES HOLD OF THE HARNESS, AND LETS IT GO AGAIN, WHILE THE DOG IS PLAYING TUGGER
WITH THESE BALLS ON A ROPE. This prevents the dog anticipating that
the only time that the handler takes hold of its harness will be the end of
the tugger game. By desensitizing the dog to having the harness held and
let go of while it is playing with its handler, it begins to associate being
held as all part of the tugger fun. It then becomes quite keen to be "caught"
in the hope of another tuggy game.
If you have trouble getting your dog to let go of the ball on the
rope ready for the next run, do not make a big issue to trying to
get it otherwise the dog will begin to see the toy as a prize
possession that you obviously want as well and will keep running
away from you. In these circumstances, it is best to use a
variety of different motivators as a reward (such as the Treat Box with tiny pieces of food
inside for the dog to "steal") so that it drops the first motivator
(ball or toy) to get at the other motivator (the treat in the
box). You may have to become rather cunning and quick witted
to out fox this sort of dog, but you'll both have plenty of
fun! Remember, there is no hurry or time limit to when you
next do a Dog-Games run. Be patient, take a deep breath and
try to smile.....
It may be worthwhile reading Problems with Retrieve and Hand Starters as well.
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