Treibball is a terrific new way to play with your dog. The game
consists of “herding” a number of large inflatable exercise balls into a
soccer-like net. Of course the herding breeds come to mind, but it’s
also great for many of the prey-oriented sporting dogs and terriers, and
any other dogs who just like to chase things.
It’s a competitive
sport for dogs of all ages and sizes. It promotes better teamwork and
communication between a dog and his handler. It’s great fun for any
energetic dogs who work well off-leash and need a job, dogs who like to
chase stuff, or dogs who like to herd and don’t have sheep!
Treibball was developed by January Nijboer in Germany (“treibball” is
variously translated from German as “blowing ball,” “drifting ball,” or
“propelling ball”) as a game that would occupy herding dogs. Examples of
treibball dogs in action aired a few months ago on YouTube and before
you could say “Go bye!” the game went viral in the American dog training
world – for good reason. A “flock” of exercise balls makes an
inexpensive substitute for a flock of sheep, and doesn’t violate your
neighborhood association’s rules, either