Training Balls - Page 1

Hello all and Happy New Year. I would like to know where I can order or purchase some very good, sturdy, safe rubber balls on strings/ropes for training. I have found out that not all rubber balls on are made equal. I had a female a couple of years ago with insane ball drive we would take out to play and as I threw the ball, she caught in and it went into her mouth, but got caught just past the roof of her mouth. This was not a small rubber ball either. When we tried to get the ball out, only the string/rope came out. Well long story short, after a fast trip to the vet (thank goodness the vet was only 5 blks away), she was limp when we arrived. The vet tech was able to use some long tweezers to dislodge the ball and she was fine. If it had not been for the hole in the center of the ball she would have sufficated. The vet sent her home with antibiotics in case of any impending infection, she was alright, a little shaken up but okay. After that I never played ball with her, only frisbee and other toys that could not fit into her mouth. I now have a Bazi pup and would like to make sure I get the best and safest rubber balls I can find. I have seen at shows and training some of these dogs get a very strong grip on the balls and the handlers pull and lead with these balls. I know mishaps do occur but this was one experience I do not want to repeat.. Thanks in advance, Debbie

Hi Debbie...I have seen the training balls with ropes from Gappay...and the such...but I like to make my own...I buy like Kong balls (solid rubber) and then drill out a hole and pull my own rope in...I also do the same thing using Kongs...The dogs have chewed the ropes off a number of times...but I just replace them and they keep on ticking... ~Bob~

go to HallmarkK9.com That is where I get my rope balls. What Bob is saying sounds good too and probably cheaper, because if the dogs do get a hold of the balls, they will chew the rope off. The problem Ive had with running new rope through balls is that the rope is too big, so I use 550 para cord, which always slips through eventually. The Gappay balls off of HallmarkK9 I have never had a rope slip through, never ever. My male will hunt the balls out, climb on tables, refridgerators, anything to get them and then chew the damn cord off. Good Luck! Bob- Do you use a vise to hold the ball when drilling through it? Thats the only thing thats stopping me. I dont want that bit to roll off the ball and into the floor or a foot.

Hello Mosemancr...I use the large size solid rubber balls...and you can get different brands...but I like to be sure that the rubber is solid and of good quality...and then I just hold the ball in my hand and drill...usually against a board or something...I use a small bit first off and then I end up using wood boring drill bits...You have to go very wide to get the hole big enough to pull a good size rope...I use the multi-colored climbing rope found in Home Depot or Lowe's...I use a piece of clothes hanger to pull the rope thru...and burn both ends...and I tie a knot in both ends...**One to hold the ball onto the rope...and the other to help give me leverage against my hand when trying to throw the ball... ~Bob~

My boy loves his Kong balls, I think that would be great for us. Thanks Bob.