Dog Training Equipment: How to Make a Dog Training Ball

Dog training equipment is important to keep a dog fit and happy. However, it does not have to be bought as it can easily be created with simple materials and at a much lower cost. A very common toy that dogs play with and are trained with is the ball. Research on different types of dog training methods and investigation on their advantages, show that dogs need regular exercise and stimulation to develop healthily. The training ball is one of the training equipment used and it plays an important part in developing your dog's muscle control and body reactions. It is very easy to make a dog training ball yourself and here we will discuss a number of ideas.

Step 1-  Some Important Factors to Consider in Advance

Be sure that any material you choose to make the ball from is safe for the dog. Another important factor to keep in mind is to make the ball of a suitable size. You do not want the ball to be too small as it might prove to be a choking hazard to the dog. On the other hand, if the ball is too large to fit between the dog’s teeth it will not be suitable either as the dog will have difficulty to pick it up.

Step 2 - Form a Paper Ball

Making a paper ball is easy and cheap. You can use any paper as long as you carefully try to make it as round and as even as possible. When you achieve the best possible shape cover the paper with duct tape as tightly as you can. This will make the ball safer and more durable. Make sure you do not leave any sticky sides of the duct tape sticking out.

Step 3 - Form a Rag Ball

You can also form a ball with any rag or by using an old sock. Repeat the same procedure as described for the paper ball. In this case you might not manage to make the ball very regular in shape. The most important thing is that you make sure that the tape sticks well and as tightly as possible.

Step 4: Use a Tennis Ball

A tennis ball has the size which is mostly suitable for most dogs. A good idea is to insert a tennis ball in a sock and tie a knot to secure the ball inside. A good idea is to use a tights sock instead of a normal sock as the elasticity of the tights material can help you to cover the ball better and be tighter. This will also help in throwing the ball at a distance while training the dog. You may also opt to cover it with duct tape if you think that the knot might come loose due to the sock’s material. Otherwise you can try to sew the sock onto the tennis ball. This ball is great for bouncing and it can be used for various types of training.

By trying out any one of these methods you can create a dog training ball in no time without spending practically anything.