Get the Ball Rolling: A Step by Step Guide to Training for Treibball

The sport for your dog’s inner “herder”.
The best dog sports are those that are fun for both you and your dog while offering the opportunity to build your skills as a trainer and strengthening your relationship with your dog. Treibball meets all of these criteria which is why it is growing in popularity among dog people worldwide.

Originating in Germany as a way to give dogs an outlet for their natural herding instincts, Treibball includes elements of herding trials, canine “soccer” and obedience. The dog is asked to perform a number of tasks under direction, at an increasing distance from his handler, while off-leash. The goal is for the dog to drive eight balls to his handler in a designated goal area within a ten-minute time period. The author presents the training protocols step-by-step and uses non-force methods including clicker training and shaping to get the desired behaviors. Whether you decide to compete or use Treibball for fun and bonding, you and your dog will benefit from working together to build the skills necessary to play this fun new game.

You will learn:
-How to train your dog to perform the movements necessary to “herd” eight balls of various sizes into a goal area by following your verbal and hand signals.
-How to shape behaviors step-by-step and build in complexity and distractions so your dog is ready for whatever may happen on the field of play.
-The rules of the sport as established by the American Treibball Association.
-To respond to a variety of challenges that the goal-line judge has the discretion to give during play.
-Force-free, dog friendly training methods.
-That all dogs, not just herding breeds, can enjoy Treibball.

What experts are saying about Get the Ball Rolling
This book offers the most accurate information on the new dog sport, Treibball, from its beginnings to the path it travels today. The step-by-step approach to training the Treibball dog from extreme beginner to well versed competitor makes this book a must have for anyone interested in training for ribbons or simply looking for a fun and bonding backyard experience with their dog. The information is easy to understand and well thought out. Trainers, instructors, competitors and dog owners alike will benefit from the addition of this book to their library.
Renea L. Dahms DipCBST, CTDI, RMT, author Family Companion Dog. An Owner's Manual to Relationship Centered Leadership, Founder of Platinum Paw Shelter Education & Enrichment Program

Finally, a book and a safe and positive new dog sport I can happily recommend for dogs and people of all age and sizes. Dianna Stearns has created the perfect book/workbook for everyone to learn Treibball, easy to read, lots of illustrations, this book is a winner!
Darlene Arden, CABC, author of Rover, Get Off Her Leg!, Small Dogs, Big Hearts, and The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs

As a Treibball participant and instructor, I am excited to have a high quality reference for at-home instruction that I can refer clients and seminar attendees to for further learning and practice opportunities. Whether you are picking up a ball and clicker for the first time or have been practicing with your dog for months or years, all Treibball devotees will find the color photos, diagrams, and illustrations helpful learning aids as you learn together about America's fastest growing dog sport!
Casey Lomonaco, KPA CTP, Board of Trustees Association of Pet Dog Trainers and Dogwise John Fisher Essay Award winner 2009

Dianna L. Stearns is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and the owner of Waggins West Dog Training and Behavior Consulting. Dianna is a co-founder and currently serves as President of the American Treibball Association. She lives in Northglenn, Colorado.