Today my mother and stepfather were over for Easter. Tank (my Rottweiler pup) picked up a soccer ball and started playing with it. He was having a very hard time grabbing the ball since it was significantly wider than his mouth. I deflated the ball slightly so he could get a good grip and then I left him alone to play.

Tank kept on bringing the ball to my stepfather, droping it, and then sitting. For the sake of being humorous, my stepfather kicked the ball to my husband, with Tank chasing after the ball. Back and forth they kicked the ball and occasionally Tank would grab the ball and rush to bring it back to me (I guess I was the goalie?). I'd tell Tank "drop it," then "sit," and I'd throw the ball at my husband, my stepfather, or my mother.

Over time Tank would grab the ball and "hug" it with his front legs. When this occurred, someone would try to kick the ball away from Tank. Initially this worked rather well and once again Tank would be rushing after the ball.

Apparently Tank started to take notice of how everyone was moving the ball with their feet. He'd charge, and they would maneuver the soccer ball away from him. So he started "patting" the ball with his front paws, trying to maneuver the ball away from them. After some trial and error, he started to get the hang of it. The ball would be kicked, Tank would rush after it, one of my family members would "play" with the ball as they tried to get it away from Tank, and either they would kick it to another person or Tank would "pat" it away from them.

A few times, Tank would "pat" the ball away from their feet, grab it with his mouth, and run to me. I'd say "drop it," "sit," and then praise him. The ball would be thrown back and the game would continue.

Later on, my husband and my stepfather started to chase Tank when he had the ball. They'd try to kick the ball away, and succeeded a few times. Tank soon learned to keep better track of the ball. He'd bite harder so it would be harder to kick while he was running. He'd hug the ball to the ground (almost laying on it) when he stopped. In spite of being chased, Tank still tried to bring the ball back to me so that I would throw it once more.

Every time Tank would sneak away with the ball, everyone cheered. If he brought the ball to me, we cheered. It was a lot of fun, and on occasion Tank would catch my husband or my stepfather off guard with some of his tactics.

I guess I have a dog that either plays a complicated form of fetch or plays a simple form of soccer. In either case, I didn't intend to teach him this game (I wouldn't even know where to begin). In the past I've had dogs that naturally fetched or caught things in mid-air when thrown, but never anything this elaborate.

What are some games or tricks that your dogs have learned that you really didn't have to teach them (other than maybe "fine-tuning")?

 Quote: jennifer wiseman

... What are some games or tricks that your dogs have learned that you really didn't have to teach them (other than maybe "fine-tuning")?

Since this board is about training, maybe a better opening would be "How have you incorporated your dog's natural play behaviors into your training?"

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: jennifer wiseman

... What are some games or tricks that your dogs have learned that you really didn't have to teach them (other than maybe "fine-tuning")?

Since this board is about training, maybe a better opening would be "How have you incorporated your dog's natural play behaviors into your training?"

I agree with Connie. There are several boards out there that talk about cute and fun things that their dogs do.
I myself find it hard to resist answering them because my dogs do funny crap all of the time, but I have to remember that this is a training board and is full of invaluable information.

There is nothing wrong with posting a question like the one Connie suggested, but to put it into context like it was opens it up for all kinds of stories and takes the focus off of training and information.

Great story though..

Note taken.

In that regard, how can I build upon this "tendency" Tank has? What other commands could I teach since Tank is willing to retrieve a ball despite numerous distractions?

Even though Tank is a "pet quality" dog, I still want to continue teaching him something new (I'm told obedience training is really all that's necessary). He loves to work for praise.

Lately he's paying more attention to people's faces. Even with strangers, he'll look at their faces and their hands. During this "soccer game" he was looking at everyone's faces, hands, and feet (as well as the ball). I've never had a dog quite so observant, especially at such a young age.

For example, when I walked to the post office the other day, I had to fasten him to a post outside the building (no dogs allowed). While I was waiting in line, I noticed through the window that Tank was being a little exuberant. I gave him the visual cue "look at me," and he looked up. Then I pointed down at him for the visual cue "sit," which he did promptly. Last, I held my hand up to him in the familiar "stop" which is his cue for "stay." When I went back outside, he was still sitting and didn't move until I said "let's go."

That's Awesome. I once had a cat that played Hide & Seek with me. My mom didn't believe me until she finally saw it when she was visiting it us. Animals are amazing!