Won't touch the ball @ Flyball

[Aquarius89]

I have a 1 year old Border Collie in flyball right now. She does the jumps perfectly, and has clicked that that part of flyball is now a game.

 

But she won't touch the ball at all there.

 

At home, she'll go crazy for it when we're playing in the backyard.

 

I haven't started to structure her and stuff yet, I just tell her "Ready... ready... GO!!" and throw ball, and she scrambles off to get it, and brings it back. Before, I was using tug as a reward, I've now switched to little cheese bits, to see if it will help. But it isn't.

 

She won't even LOOK at the ball at flyball.

 

I just don't understand - she does it so well at home, and we can even do it outside with distractions - but she won't have anything to do with it at flyball.

 

My trainer suggested clicker training her with it, which I will try doing if I can't find any other methods.

 

Any suggestions?

[Root Beer]

At home, will she go and get it if you haven't thrown it, but it's just lying on the ground and you cue her to "get it" or something?

[Aquarius89]

Yes, she will pick up a dead ball.

 

She will also structure with me at home. By structure, I mean, holding her in racing position and releasing her after, "Ready... ready... GO!".

[MrSnappy]

Is she scared of the box? Tweed was scared of the noise of the box. I had to make the box shoot cheese at him for like, 5 months before he would hit the box. Now he loves flyball

 

RDM

[Dana Nichols]

It might just be that the distractions at flyball class are a little too overwhelming. You could try taking her to some new places like Petsmart & having her retrieve there. If it's too much at first, you can start in the kitty litter aisle (where there aren't likely to be many dogs) then build up to where she can handle a full busy weekend. Other good places to try are sidewalks or grassy areas near a busy shopping area (only on leash of course for safety), soccer fields, and playgrounds. You also might find that your dog will settle in after a class or two and do just fine. If you end up needing to do more specific training on retrieving, there is a great article by Pam Martin at: http://www.flyballdogs.com/training.html#easy_retrieve

 

Good luck. : )

 

Dana

[Aquarius89]

Thanks RDM and Dana!

 

We haven't combined box and ball yet, as we've only been in training since January. We're working on box turns without the ball right now.

 

Like I said, we've been in training since January, so it's kinda funny if she hasn't settled in yet! lol

 

I'm definitely going to give the pet store retrieving a try, thanks.

[PSmitty]

I'm glad you asked this, Jess. Alex is having the same trouble. He will retrieve and tug like crazy at home, but once he's around the other dogs, all he wants to do is watch them or try to chase them. It's just the distraction of it all.

 

I'm going to work on it in other enviroments, as suggested. Thanks!

[2 Devils]

A dead ball retrieve is actually different than retrieving. At home, you need to work on a totally dead ball retrieve (you are not throwing the ball what-so-ever by the end). You need to have some be able to place the ball on the ground and be able to send him to get the ball.

 

I have my students start by rolling the ball and sending the dog-until consistent

I then have them roll the ball until it stops and then send the dog-until consistent

Finally, I have someone else placing the ball on the ground (this step may need to start with person bouncing the ball and then placing) but you want to get to the point of just placing without having to make the ball fun

 

It is always funny to see how many people think their dogs have a dead ball retrieve when they really don't. The dogs have a moving target retrieve. Yes, I learned this the hard way too