TRIEBBALL GAMES – DUCK-DUCK-GOOSE (can be played indoor or out)

Equipment Required: Three Triebballs, timer or watch with second hand (tape measure, hopefully at least six feet or 2 meters long)

(hula hoops as needed to keep the balls from rolling around on a smooth surface, esp. indoor), masking tape

Skill Level Required: Beginner to Advanced

Game Operator: One (one assistant to replace balls back into group may be useful)

Expertise of Operator &

Liability and Insurance: Game may be played as a solo training game.

Cues suggested are not mandatory.

Dog should be familiar with and have practiced moving

at handler’s direction using game cues “go”, “bye” and “around” as well as traditional cue “sit”.

When operating a game with more than one dog in the area at the time, a handler with at least one professional certification equivalent to CPDT-KA and appropriate insurance is recommended.

If the game is played among amateurs for fun, it is recommended that at least one person be assigned to operate the game and participants all sign a waiver stating their willingness to participate in an amateur sports event and absolving operator of liability.

On or Off-Leash: Dog may be on or off leash (determined by handler in consultation with game operator)

Game operator may request a leash if they feel it is needed.

Leash may be dragged or carried by the handler, depending on the game operator’s preference and assessment of the dog’s ability to work off leash safely.

Cues: Go: Used as a compound cue paired with another cue (such as jump, touch) indicating that

the dog will do the second cue at a distance from the handler. Dog may follow the handler’s arm and hand direction to locate the second part of the compound cue.

Bye: Starting at the right of the ball and circle behind it to the left.

Around: Starting at the left of the ball, circle behind it to the right.

Sit:

Purpose: To develop the ability for the dog to go to the back ball in the break and sit under control, waiting for “push” command.

Set Up: Three balls together in a triangle.

Three tape marks set at least two feet apart

Tape Mark #1 – Advanced dog – six feet from closest ball

Tape Mark #3 – Intermediate dog – four feet from closest ball

Tape Mark #3 – Beginner dog – two feet from closest ball

Alternative for one person - a tape mark set dog’s level

Balls touching, may be held still in hula hoops.

To Practice: 1. Handler and dog team together at the starting tape with the dog sitting to handler’s left side.

2.  Handler can free heel towards the first ball and/or send the dog to any desired ball using the game commands.

3.  When the dog is opposite the handler (one ball between them), the handler cues a sit.

[in the diagram above, the “x” is the handler position and the “o” is the dog’s required position.

4.  When the dog sits facing the handler in the required position, the team gets three points.

5.  If the dog sits near the ball but not directly across from and facing the handler, the team will be awarded one point.

6.  The handler may elect to try the same ball again, if successful will get a maximum of 2 points.

To Play: 1. Handler and dog team together at the starting tape appropriate for their level

with the dog sitting to handler’s left side.

2.  Operator calls out “start” when handler is in position and operator is ready.

3.  Handler can free heel towards the first ball and/or send the dog to any desired ball using the game commands.

4.  When the dog is opposite the handler (one ball between them), the handler cues a sit.

5.  When the dog sits, the team gets three points.

6.  If the dog sits but not directly across from and facing the handler, the team gets one point.

7.  The handler may elect to try the same ball again, if successful will get a maximum of 2 points.

8.  The team must complete the process again two more times as in #2 - #6 above for each ball.

9.  The game is complete when the third sit is completed AND the handler signals with a fully upright raised arm that they do not wish to try the third ball again. At that point, the timer will stop.

10.  In the event of a tie in points, time will be the deciding factor.

For the purposes of practice and group play, designations of advanced, intermediate and beginner are at the discretion of the operator. For the purposes of competition, an:

·  advanced dog is one who works easily off leash and nine out of ten times will carry out their handler’s cues

·  intermediate dog is one who works easily on a dragged leash and five times out of ten will carry out handler’s cues

·  beginner dog is one who works only on dragged leash or on leash and two or three times out of ten “” “”

However, the operator in charge of the game is welcome to promote their own qualifying criteria providing it is published well in advance of competition to call competitors.