Page 28 - Spring Newsletter2024

Playing

By Sue Lindsay Cert ED and Talis
Playing “Hoopers “ with Talis - Keeshond style.

I decided to add a set of ‘Hoopers’
to the dog training and play
equipment as it looked like
something that would be beneficial
when teaching distance control
through games.
Equally it’s the sort of thing that
would be easy to set up in any back
garden.

The dogs just loved the idea and a
huge bonus is because no jumping
is involved it’s suitable for pups to
the oldies, so everyone can have a
go (and no need for the owners to
run around like athletes either.) You do need to have the training
basics in place though, as it really needs to be done off lead and, as
with all teaching of new things, needs to be done in stages (but don’t be
surprised when your Keeshond
says, yep done that, what’s next!
as they get it so quickly.)
So, getting started:
One hoop, one Talis and a pocket of
treats!
The suggestion is to stand by the
hoop and direct your dog by
throwing a treat through for them
to follow …. tried this, but it took
far too long to get Talis to find his
treat in the grass and he expected
me to point it out for him! So
decided to switch to using my tried
and tested methods of direction.
All of my dogs have been taught to
touch and subsequently to follow
hand signals from an early age (see
previous articles on this one.)
However, you can use a treat to get
them to follow hand directions, just keep it steady so they check the
hoop out and don’t just follow the treat.

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