One of the latest additions to our training tool box is the Lotus Ball from Clean Run (they sell other food stuffable toys as well). It's a three part ball that is lined with velcro so you can stuff food inside it. Dogs can either rip it apart themselves which appeals to their hunting instincts or they can bring it to you to be opened which is the method that Mr. N prefers.
Mr. N has very little interest in balls but once he saw that the ball had food in it, he was much more willing to go chase after it and bring it back to be opened. He will retrieve but usually he finds it boring after a half-dozen throws.
You can use the ball for distance training and treat the dog from a distance which is handy for things like agility training and teaching contacts. Right now, I'm mostly just using it to teach Mr. N that toys have value. Tasty value.
The Lotus Ball is an interactive toy which means it should only be played with under supervision. I don't think it would hold up to a lot of aggressive chewing.
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| All toys mentioned were purchased by myself. |
Welcome to First Monday's Positive Pet Training Blog Hop hosted by Cascadian Nomads, Tenacious Little Terrier and Rubicon Days. Please share your responsible pet owner positive pet training tips by linking a blog post or leaving a comment below. Our theme for this month is play and trying out new training games.. but any positive reinforcement training posts or comments are also always welcome. The Positive Pet Training Blog Hop goes all week long. Our next hop will begin Monday, June 6th and continues for a week. The theme for June is reporting back on trying out new training games.
The smugness of being right! <3 Mr N is my spirit animal.
ReplyDeleteHaha. He is very pleased with himself when he is right and "good." When one of his dog friends would misbehave and have to go back on leash, I swear he prances around her and flaunts the fact that he was good so he is still off-leash!
DeleteBarley likes to play with toys sometimes, but she agrees with Mr. N about them not being acceptable forms of rewards--she'd much rather have food without the toy. We also try to avoid them our agility class because they get her too amped up, so if she happened to see one of her classmates while chasing a toy, she'd be more likely to go pounce on her classmate instead. I keep trying to tell her that if she'd play with a toy as a reward she'd get more dinner since she'd have fewer treats throughout training sessions, but so far it seems like she'd rather have less dinner ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to think ahead!
DeleteGreat post! N is so cute! :D That looks like an awesome toy! When I first got Zoe, she didn't really care for toys either and I've had to shape her into liking them over the years. Now it's still sort of iffy if she'll bring it back or not but when she's in the zone to play, she's in the zone. It's been a fun learning experience for both of us. Phoenix has always liked toys but she liked to play with them by herself. She's learned that playing with us is fun, too!
ReplyDeleteYeah, he didn't really play with toys as a puppy so I think his play drive was squashed.
DeleteLotus Ball is a great idea. I like all my stuffed animals, but a toy with a treat inside will be my instant favorite! I hope Mom gets me one.
ReplyDeleteLove and licks,
Cupcake
She should!
DeleteFirst time I've seen one of those. It might be a special game I can play with Harley. He's not always willing to bring something back. Perhaps if he knows I can open the magic hatch for treats - he just might change his mind.
ReplyDeleteMr. N will retrieve about a half-dozen times and then he's like you go get it!
DeleteOur flying disc that I posted about is the Holy Grail of toys for Ruby and she also has a crazy drive for fleece tugs (although she tends to prefer the nylon handle end that is supposed to mine). Ruby will often not take treats in the height of play with these toys, which tells me that toys are our most valuable motivator! The Lotus Ball is a cool idea that combines the two - looks like it's working great for Mr. N's retrieve!
ReplyDeleteHe finds it much more motivating than bringing back receipts!
DeleteThat is a cool toy! And a super cute little terrier!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI really want to get one of these for Nola!
ReplyDeleteNola would enjoy it!
DeleteThat looks like a great toy for play and training. I think Luke would enjoy it. But one sister would want to destroy it and his other sister would fight over it, most likely! I have to keep them separated if I want to use any kind of treat toy, so it's not usually convenient for us. :(
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
That's the problem with multiples lol. Use it only for special training times?
DeleteHaha, "the smugness of being right" cracked me up! I haven't seen the Lotus Ball before, but Haley would love the velcro part since she loves the sound of ripping things, lol! I'll have to order one of these.
ReplyDeleteI hope she enjoys it! Mr. N has the small (comes in small/large) and he can just barely fit his mouth around it.
DeleteI hope she enjoys it! Mr. N has the small (comes in small/large) and he can just barely fit his mouth around it.
DeleteKilo is so food motivated I'm sure this would work perfect on him!
ReplyDelete