Does it have to be a herding breed?
No. Herding drive helps, but the rest can be taught. You'll often see crossbreeds, small breeds and even dogs whose ancestors never saw a sheep.
Discs, balls and retrieving
Treibball
Herding without the sheep. Instead of a flock you've got eight big gym balls, and the dog noses them into a goal, one at a time. You direct it from a distance, with nothing but your voice and gestures.
About the discipline
What Treibball is
Treibball was invented in Germany for city-dwelling herding dogs that have the drive to gather and move stock but never get near any.
Eight big balls are set out in a triangle, like a rack of billiard balls. The dog leaves the handler, swings round behind the balls and pushes them to the goal one by one, against the clock.
The handler stays by the goal and works on cues alone. The whole sport is about communicating at a distance, so it suits teams who can't run, too.
How it works in practice
How it works
- eight gym balls, set out in a triangle
- the dog leaves the handler on cue
- swings round behind the balls, as in herding
- pushes with the nose, ball by ball
- the handler stays in the goal area
- a time limit for the whole round
Which dogs it suits
- shepherds and dogs with herding drive
- dogs that work well at a distance
- handlers with limited mobility
- older dogs, at a pace that suits them
What you need
- big, tough gym balls
- a goal or two markers
- a flat, medium-sized area
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Treibball
Do the balls burst?
Not if you use decent gym balls, too big to grab in the mouth. Their size is exactly what makes the dog push with its nose.
Is it a good sport for an older dog?
Yes, one of the best. No jumping, no sharp turns, no speed. The dog walks, does a lot of thinking, and the two of you keep talking through cues.
How do I teach the pushing?
Start with a ball too big to grab and reward any touch with the nose, even an accidental one. Then ask for a deliberate touch, then a push of a few centimetres, then a push in a set direction. Swinging round behind, the herding bit, comes last, once the pushing is solid.
From the same category
Related sports
Pushball
The dog pushes a big ball towards a target, under control.
Dock Diving
Your dog runs off a dock and jumps into water after a toy.
Air Retrieve
The dog jumps off the dock to grab or touch an object hanging over the water.
Disc Dog
The dog catches the disc, in distance events or freestyle routines.
We do not run Treibball
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.