Treibball: Herding Minus the
Sheep!
Treibball originated in Germany in
the early 2000’s as a fun interactive game for both dog and owner. This game
builds on the basis of old world herding and working dog exercises and applies
them to moving or “herding” large inflatable exercise balls. This sport allows
for most anyone to be able to train and play in the game of triebball. Before,
the idea of a herding dog competition was limited to owners who had access to
or space to have live sheep or geese for their dogs to herd. Treibball employs
all the great advantages of both physical and mental stimulation dogs gain from
herding exercises and waters them down into a smaller area with far less
upkeep. The only real things needed for the game of treibball is a dog, a
soccer net, and a variety of inflatable exercise balls.
The overall idea of the game is for
a dog to push the inflatable exercise balls into a soccer ball goal. The
criteria for which how many balls the dog is required to “herd” as well as rate
of speed and accuracy, distance, order of balls, and the presence or absence of
obstacle such as ditches, hills, and gates, all vary depending on dog and
handlers skills in competition. At the most basic level both dog and handler
begin the game near the goal, the dog must then on cue, move from heel position
beside handler out past the ball or balls and must wait behind the balls for as
least five seconds waiting on the next cue from the handler. This is called the
“outrun”. Once the outrun is complete with dog waiting behind balls the handler
cues the dog to begin driving the balls to the goal.
One of the things so great about
treibball is that it is open to any dog of any kind. Not just herding breeds!!!
The sport of treibball is great for confidence building in many shy dogs as
well as great mental stimulation for dogs with high energy, high drive
personalities. Even dogs that don’t really care for playing with balls on
normal occasions love the sport of triebball. The ability to work a dogs mind
through play, makes the sport that much more enjoyable and beneficial to both
owner and dog.
As with any other dog sport or
activity in most cases the handler needs to learn as much if not more as the
dog does. The steps to teaching your dog to “herd” can easily be shaped with
the use of a clicker. Clicker training uses a simple noise making device called
a clicker to mark certain behaviors we like, in this way the clicker becomes a
secondary reinforcer. What that means to your dog is that the sound of the “click”
precedes a treat. If your dog has not already properly been clicker charged
start with clicking and offering a treat. Once your dog makes the association
between click and treat you are able to move forward with the clicker establishing
the use of targets marked on the ball and reinforcing the dog for touching the
ball at these precise points you are now on your way to training your dog
directional control of the ball.
Since treibball is relatively new
there are not many associations or organizations specializing in treibball
competitions. However because of the many benefits to dogs who suffer from
boredom, many training classes have been popping up all over the country in the
form of group classes. These classes are geared toward teaching the basics of the
game and how to train for it. Group treibball classes are very advantageous to
dogs needing some confidence boosting as well, as the dog is not only learning
the game but also learning how to properly socialize with other dogs at the
same time.
Treibball competitions in the
states are few and far between, however the many benefits to teaching this herding
game to pet dogs is well worth the time invested to train for it. Dogs enjoy
the mental stimulation from playing the game and owners are able to play with
their dog in much more rewarding way. If you are interested in competing or
just training your own personal dog for fun, the American Treibball
Association’s website offers training advice and links to competitions all over
the country.
