Can someone explain the two ball game? I read some posts praising it and might want to try it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dennis, are meaning using 2-3 big balls to train the , "out" and "Call off". David

I think they were talking about it under the topic of "do you play fetch w/ your gsd" under "Building drive... with Bernhard Flinks"

If I recall corectly, it's not advised to do the two ball game for drive building.

I'm just looking to give them some excercize, it's too cold and wet to bicycle right now. I will keep that in mind when I get my "Work dog"

My dogs arent working (sport) dogs either but if u want to just play ball with your dog...my female loves to chase the ball,,so i bought a chuck-it and a hyper dog at pet smart...i throw it one way and when she is on her way back i have the second ball already loaded and chuck it the other way.. we will do this like 15 times in a row at least twice a day.. she is slim and trim...plus it saves on your arm..not fun getting older but then again like the old saying goes...
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy _hit...what a ride!" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

As I recall a German trainer once said, " there are no rules without exceptions". I can't think of another game that builds more drive than two ball. As with any training too much of one thing creates an imbalance. I have a 9 month old female that loves to chase the ball and bring it back. She doesn't always get the second ball, sometimes we just play with one ball. Or we play tug and she wins and carries. Or we play tug and she outs so I can throw it again. The dogs behaviors and drives should dictate the training, each dog is different.

Only negative (or positive) side is that dog learns to self out. As mine gsd bich did :rolleyes: . Now she is self outing on aport... my mistake.

On the other side it is great way, as David Bessason mentioned, to get dog that is hard to out to do it without force. Now if i could only find one more decoy so i don't have to choke my mal bitch of the decoy... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

OK, I'm excited, how do we play ?

very often, when you play two-ball, the dog begins chewing because he wants what he has in his mouth and also wants what you have in your hand. sometimes they even become vocal along with the chewing. reluctant to give one up, yet wanting the other at the same time. this can lead to hectic behavior. if the two ball works for your dog and there is no chewing......great. however, if the full/calm grip seems to be slipping away, give flink's philosophy a chance. the dog should be comfortable next to you, not chewing, vocalizing or avoiding you. this comes from asking the dog to out EVERY TIME you ask him to come. he anticipates it. then the conflict begins. lots of things can happen: you throw the ball and the dog drops it half way back to you. you throw the ball and he drops it before you ask him to. or he comes to you but refuses to out and may start vocalizing as well. or he goes after the ball and totally avoids you, inviting you to chase him. the dog should go after the ball, carry it calmly, come to you with no apprehension, and continue to hold it calmly until you ask him to out. anything other than this indicates a training problem. (and yes, i have made every mistake imaginable....probably even some you'd never imagine!)