How to teach a dog to drop or give me the ball? - Page 1

My previous (American-bred show line) German Shepherds just looked mystified when I threw a ball. My new (Czech/DDR working line) dog will happily retrieve it all day - but we're not quite in sync on the matter of her giving it back to me.

Often she'll drop it but as soon as I move towards it, it becomes a game and she'll try to beat me to it. When I get it from her mouth that also becomes a game for her.

I saw a short video on the Orbee in which Ed Frawley's dog gives him the ball on the "out" command. I'm not sure how to get there from here.

Thanks,

Gary

Where you able to teach your Show line to retrieve?

I'm having an issue with that.

Atlas did it for about 2 weeks and now looks at me like I'm nuts.

Tiffae89, no, my show line dogs never caught on. That was 20 years ago before I'd even heard of ball drive. Now I'm just trying to figure out how to 'harness' that drive.

lol... That really stinks. lol...

I'll keep working with him with it. :)

If anybody has any advice, I'm much obliged.

Thank you :)

hi Gfujioka,

Play the two ball game.

The trick is to say the word " out " and  the moment she lets go of the ball ,
you throw the other ball. Soon she will learn that ,when she out's the game starts again.

You must wait for her to drop the ball. The dog must understand, " OUT " means
leave the ball, only then the game starts again.

Hope this  helps.

Yes, two balls work.

As it comes back, throw the other one. It would likely drop the first somewhere close. If not, bouce the other ball close by, it will drop the first.

The 2 ball game works, here's how I do it.  I use 2 balls on a rope.  I get the dog crazy for the toy at home first.  I go to a field and tease the dog with 1 ball and throw it.  The dog races to get the first ball and turns to come back to you, at this point I say "here" and start to wave the 2nd ball while running backwards.  This causes the dog to race to you, as Sonora stated watch the dogs mouth as it starts to open it's mouth to drop the first ball say "out".  The dog is already dropping the first ball, but after a few reps it will start to make the connection with the word out.  After it drops the first ball throw the second ball and quickly run and pick up the first ball and start again.  This is a tiring game for the dog as it is very high energy.  I like to do this on a football field, the dog winds up sprinting almost the length of the field several times.  Obviously I would shorten this for puppies.  This game teaches the out and a lightning fast recall. 

Jim

Thank you for the tip. Perfect timing; I just bought two new Chuckit Ultra Balls today.

Hi Gary:  For two balls, seems like we each have a little different variation of the game.  Perfect example of how things must always be tweeked to fit the dog in question.  I'll bet what ends up working for you & yoru dog will be just a little different too!

I like to use the balls on strings.  You can get them from various mail order places, I really like Bende Balls, but any brand is good.

Here is what I do:

Toss the 1st ball
Keep the other ball hidden until the dog actually comes all the way to you with the first ball.**
Pull out the 2nd ball & whip it around by the string, tell your dog to "out" the second he spits out the 1st ball
Toss the 2nd ball

When you are first playing the game, don't throw the balls very far (in the beginning when the dog is learning the game) because you want him to be sure and bring the ball all the way back to you. 

**If he does drop the ball before he gets back to you, don't throw the 2nd ball you are hiding behind your back.  Point to the 1st ball & tell him to get it.  Even if you have to walk all the way up to it, keep pointing to it and telling him to get it.  When he gets it, back up real fast calling him to you, then when he gets to you, whip out the 2nd ball.

The reason I like 2 balls is it is stress free and easy to teach.