This sports event has become taken over by dogs.
Helena Akesson, the organizer for treibball at Otago Canine Training Club, stated that a significant amount of time and effort is required to train dogs for this activity.
The activity of Treibball has been in existence for many years, with its origins traced back to Germany, where it was utilized for training herding dogs. This sport has grown tremendously in both Europe and America, but it has only been recently introduced to New Zealand.
Treibball is similar to football for dogs, according to Helena Akesson, the organizer of the Otago Canine Training Club. The objective is for the dogs to bring in balls to a specific goal area, with the handler staying within the designated lines.
The number of balls that the dogs are required to bring in increases as their ability improves. Despite the difficulty, it appears to be enjoyable for the dogs, even when the balls are larger than they are.
Judge Ailsa Hawkins mentioned that as a judge, one of the important things they look for is whether the handler has taught the dog to have impulse control, to know when to push the ball and when not to. Arie, a four-year-old dog, has been participating in treibball competitions for a year now, and has progressed from one ball to three.
Arie’s owner, Georgia Bradshaw, hopes to eventually advance to higher levels of competition, but admits that it has been a slow process due to Arie’s stubbornness. Bradshaw mentioned that Arie really enjoys treibball.
Treibball is a timed game that deducts points for mistakes. Any breed of dog can participate in this game, and it has benefits for all dogs. According to Akesson, treibball provides physical exercise and mental stimulation that requires dogs to think and run, which can be tough work.
Unlike traditional herding dogs, any dog can play and benefit from this game. If you enjoy training your dog, treibball is a fun way to do it. It is possible to teach any dog new tricks, regardless of age.
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