If you have a dog who is fanatic about retrieving, he may like to learn to use a ball machine. No matter if a dog would like to use a ball machine to keep a fetch game going after his owner wears out, or if the dog only learns to use a ball machine as a trick, with most dogs, it takes extensive training.
Training a dog to use the ball machine requires a chain of behaviors. That means you would have to teach each behavior separately, then chain them together at the end. This can take weeks or months, depending on the dog. This entails…
a. Retrieving an object to hand
b. Dropping a held object into a container
c. Getting used to the noise of the machine
d. Approaching the machine from the sides or back so the dog won’t get hit by the ball being ejected
e. Putting it all together: dropping the ball into the machine out of the trajectory, retrieving the ball, repeat.
The dog must get used to the noise the machine makes. Otherwise, fear will creep in and the dog will not want to go near it. Fear may also take over if the dog gets hit by the ball early in the game. Teaching a dog to approach the machine and drop the ball into it at the right angle takes time and patience.
Don’t get frustrated if your dog needs lessons to learn to use the machine. For dogs who aren’t retrieve happy, or even for those who are, the ball machine process is one of the tougher behavior chains to complete.
Training Dogs on A Ball Machine from Helen Verte Schwarzmann, CTC on Vimeo.
Dogs Using Ball Machine from Helen Verte Schwarzmann, CTC on Vimeo.
Note: I used the iFetch brand, both large and small machines, in training the dogs in the video. Be prepared to pay mightily for replacement balls if you purchase the small-dog machine.
Cost of small balls for the small iFetch ball machine from Helen Verte Schwarzmann, CTC on Vimeo.
To send your dog to the Love Wags A Tail board-and-train camp for motivational learning with our cast of characters, contact us with your dog training, behavior modification wish list to get started.
Helen Verte Schwarzmann
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Certified in Training and Counseling
Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed
Certified Trick Dog Instructor
AKC STAR Puppy, CGC, and Trick Dog Trainer and Evaluator
Your Board-and-Train Dog Trainer for south and southwest Florida, Southwest Ranches, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Broward, Collier, Lee county
