If your Australian Labradoodle loves a challenge and needs more excitement in their training, you can take the basic tennis ball game up a notch! By adding obstacles, more complex commands, and incorporating speed, you can turn this game into a fun, high-energy training session that keeps your dog on their toes and helps them learn how to control their excitement.
What You’ll Need
- Tennis balls (or cheese balls, used sparingly).
- Treats or toys as rewards.
- A spacious area, like a backyard or park, with room for movement.
- A few obstacles, like cones, chairs, or even a hula hoop for added complexity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add Obstacles to the Game
Set up a few obstacles, such as cones or chairs, to create a little maze for your dog to navigate before getting the ball. You can even add a hula hoop that your dog needs to jump through before retrieving the ball. This makes the race to the ball more challenging and fun for your Labradoodle!
Step 2: Throw the Ball and Create a Course
Throw the first ball into the open, but add a command like “go around the cone” or “jump through the hoop” before they fetch the ball. Your dog will need to follow the course before they can grab the ball. The goal is to keep the running exciting while also focusing on navigating the obstacles.
Step 3: Ask for a Quick Sit After the Fetch
Once your dog retrieves the ball and comes back, ask them to “sit” as soon as they reach you. Keep your tone calm but firm. When your dog sits quickly, reward them with a treat or praise. The trick is to help your dog control their excitement and focus on the task at hand, even after a burst of energy.
Step 4: Throw the Ball in a New Direction with a Twist
Throw the next ball in a completely different direction. You can change things up by adding a new challenge: maybe ask your dog to perform a “spin” or “down” before releasing them for the next fetch. The idea is to build on their excitement and focus by adding new commands and obstacles each time.
Step 5: Increase the Speed and Complexity
As your dog starts to catch on, speed up the game by throwing the ball more frequently and adding additional obstacles, like weaving through a row of cones or performing a “stay” before they’re allowed to go for the ball. You can even challenge them by throwing multiple balls at once or mixing up the order of commands to test their ability to quickly switch between excitement and calm.
Why This Version Works
This updated game is designed to challenge your Labradoodle mentally and physically. The added obstacles and complex commands make the game more exciting, while also giving your dog the opportunity to practice quick thinking and focus under more stimulating conditions. It also strengthens their self-control, as they need to calm down and listen to your cues before they can get the reward.
Final Thoughts
By adding obstacles, new commands, and faster-paced action, this version of the tennis ball game makes the experience more exciting and challenging for your Australian Labradoodle. Not only will it keep them engaged, but it also builds their ability to switch from high-energy running to calm behavior on command. This makes for a great bonding experience and a fun way to reinforce obedience skills!
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