About Treibball

Want to teach your dog a fun new game that is a low-impact activity yet provides great exercise, requires minimal equipment and develops teamwork? Try one of the hottest new dog sports sweeping North America—treibball (pronounced “try ball”)! To see videos of treibball in action, visit the American Treibball YouTube channel or watch this youtube video of a demo by Kathy and Troy.

In treibball, dogs “herd” exercise balls. This is an activity for all breeds, not just herding dogs. If your dog likes to run or play games, it will love treibball. If you want better communication with your dog and increase impulse control, you will love treibball. In training treibball you and your dog develop a working partnership. Treibball is an ideal way to exercise your dog physically and mentally. Best of all, skills you teach your dog for treibball are useful in other dog sports and everyday living.

About the Instructor

Kathy Weaver is a seasoned instructor and treibball participant. She is a Level II (Trainer) member of the American Treibball Association. Click here to learn more about Kathy Weaver.

Beginning Treibball

In this class, we will work on foundational exercises for treibball which include:

• Attention to handler
• Nose touch (targeting)
• Go to mat (targeting)
• Down or sit at a distance
• Impulse control
• Directional Cues
• Correct position behind ball(s)
• Changing positions behind ball(s)

Beginning class Goals:

When cued, dog will go away from the handler and around a ball placed at least 10 feet away; stop behind the ball until cued to push it; stop pushing the ball when cued; change directions behind the ball when cued; be able to push the ball at least 10 feet straight toward the handler into the goal.

Prerequisite: Advanced Home Obedience (or equivalent), or instructor approval. Dogs should be able to walk on a loose leash, sit, down, stay and have a fairly reliable off-leash recall. No aggressive dogs.

Bring to the first class: Bring your dog on his regular training equipment, plus one inflatable exercise ball (the ball should be approximately as tall as your dog); a piece of rubber mat, small rug or towel that is just large enough for your dog to sit or lie down on; lots of small (pea size) food treats; tug toy. Food treats and mat/rug/towel should be light in color so they contrast with the black rubber matting.