Dropping the ball for flyball

Hi, I have taken Max to flyball training for the past 6 weeks now and he really loves it. I haven't really needed to train to jump over the hurdles or to retrieve the ball (his box turns need improving though) and he is pretty quick up and down the run.

The problem I have is that once he has returned with the ball, he won't drop it. I have tried treats, another ball etc. but to no avail. At home he will drop a ball on the command 'drop' then 'leave'.

It is becoming a bit of a nightmare as it is preventing him from being selected for a team as there are only a couple of minutes between each run and he can't do the second run with a ball in his mouth.

Any positive help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

No idea really other than showing him another ball and hope he drops the first one, sorry

I think you are just going to have to keep practicing.

Maybe you could pop over and say hi...

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

Having a similar problem with Ledger especially as we are now starting to run with other dogs I have a chuck it ball on a rope which he has great drive for (tho also sometimes gets too excited and spits the tennis ball early) and he happily goes for the chuck it as his reward and a game of tuggy but then getting him to let go is becoming a nightmare.

It's taking lots of work at home and we are not really getting anywhere but will persevere will let you know if we get any kind of breakthrough

Ooh a bit of a breakthrough been playing fetch with a tennis ball at home using Ledgers chuck it as a treat but yesterday i was sat on the sofa and he nudged the tennis ball onto my lap, I threw it and he brought it straight back and placed it again next to my hand and so this continued for about 10 mins  

jshrew wrote:Ooh a bit of a breakthrough been playing fetch with a tennis ball at home using Ledgers chuck it as a treat but yesterday i was sat on the sofa and he nudged the tennis ball onto my lap, I threw it and he brought it straight back and placed it again next to my hand and so this continued for about 10 mins  

Yay

jshrew wrote:Ooh a bit of a breakthrough been playing fetch with a tennis ball at home using Ledgers chuck it as a treat but yesterday i was sat on the sofa and he nudged the tennis ball onto my lap, I threw it and he brought it straight back and placed it again next to my hand and so this continued for about 10 mins  

Great news

Major breakthrough at home with a tuggy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/141104920056?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&lpid=95&device=t&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=95&ff19=0

After lots of play the Tuggy seems to be enough of a treat to drop the tennis ball, then food works to release the tuggy (unlike the chuck it ball) let's just see if it works in the class on Sunday