How to Train Your Dog to Play Volleyball

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How to Train Your Dog to Play Volleyball

Hard

1-3 Months

Fun

Introduction

If you've got a sporty dog on your hands who loves to learn and is ball obsessed, training her to play volleyball is a fun trick to tackle. You can utilize her natural energy and add an element of mental challenge to play time. Playing volleyball with your dog is a unique way to switch up your daily game of catch and will impress your friends and family.

Once you've mastered basic skills, don't let your dog's training end. Keep her motivated with new tricks and sharpen her mind with challenging skills. Teaching your dog to play volleyball is the perfect next step, and it could become your new favorite game together.

Defining Tasks

Any dog can learn how to play volleyball, but dogs who already love playing fetch and have high energy are the best candidates. If your dog would rather stop and smell the flowers, you might opt for a less demanding trick. However, if your dog has boundless energy and loves nothing more than chasing after balls, playing volleyball might be the perfect activity for you.

There is no way to teach your dog all the rules of volleyball or expect that she'll be spiking your opponent, but you could get her to set up a ball for you nicely or at least get in a few volleys. The most important part is that your dog will get plenty of exercise, both mentally and physically, and you'll get to bond with your dog.

Getting Started

You don't need too many items to teach your dog to play volleyball, but you will need a few things to make training easier and keep things fun. Here is a short list:

An open area to play
Special treats
A foam, playground, or beach ball that is slightly deflated
A balloon
A volleyball net
A good sense of humor

Teaching your dog to play volleyball is an advanced trick, so make sure you already have a good training foundation under your belt. Check out the three training methods below, grab your dog and a volleyball, and soon you'll be volleying with your best friend.

The Volley Method

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Step

Choose the right ball

You want to use a larger ball that bounces well. It's a good idea to keep it slightly deflated at first.

Step

Choose an open space

Start in a wide open space with no distractions. This could be your yard or a park without too many people around.

Step

Play with the ball

Start by getting your dog excited about the ball. Toss it and let her chase it. Start to get her energy up.

Step

Toss her the ball

Ask her to sit and walk a little distance away and toss the ball as you say "get it."

Step

Give her praise

When she starts to jump towards the ball or taps it with her snout, give her lots of excited praise and treats.

Step

Volley the ball

Once she understands that you want her to tap the ball back to you, start to be selective with treats. Only treat her for a volley, when she bumps the ball back to you, or for a big jump.

Step

Play volleyball

Eventually the joy and fun of tossing the ball to you will be all the reward she needs. You can work on keeping the ball up in the air for as many volleys as possible.

The Bump Method

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Step

Pick a quiet but open area

You'll need to start in a quiet area with no distractions. A large living room or playroom is a good start, Make sure there are no electronics or valuables around that could be knocked down.

Step

Introduce the ball

Pick a soft ball with a good bounce. A beach ball is a good bet. Make sure it isn't fully inflated to start.

Step

Reward the bump

Place the ball on the ground and encourage your dog to play. When she bumps it with her nose, give her a treat. Keep practicing until she's bumping the ball across the floor.

Step

Try a toss

Once she knows bumping the ball with her nose is the right action, try tossing the ball to her. Encourage her to reach out and bump the ball with her nose.

Step

Keep practicing

Let her know bumping the ball to you is the right thing to do. When she makes contact, get excited and give her treats. As she starts to bump the ball back, let her know that's what you want.

Step

Encourage the volley

When she's consistently bumping the ball back to you, try to bump it back to her. Encourage her to keep bumping the ball in the air and see how long you can keep the ball from hitting the floor.

Step

Take it outside

Now you're ready to take it outside. If you're feeling ambitious, set up a volleyball net and see if she can hit the ball over.

The Balloon Method

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Step

Start slow

For dogs who might have plenty of energy, but are a little shy or nervous around a big ball, you can start with an inflated balloon.

Step

Introduce the balloon

Start in a quiet place and introduce the balloon as a fun and non-intimidating toy. Make sure you keep it up at eye level and don't give her a chance to pop it on the ground.

Step

Let it drift down

Once she's comfortable with the balloon, tap it into the air and let it slowly drift down. Encourage her to sniff it.

Step

Treat a bump

As she gets curious and taps the balloon with her nose, give her a treat and let her know that's what you want.

Step

Encourage bigger bumps

Up the excitement now. Encourage her to bump the balloon back in the air and get excited when she does.

Step

Introduce a larger ball

Once she's comfortable bumping and playing with the balloon, you can introduce a ball. A beach ball usually works well. Let her play with it and get used to it.

Step

Toss it back

Once she's confident with the new ball, up the stakes by bumping the ball back to her after she taps it to you. See how many times you can volley the ball back and forth. Soon any timidness will be forgotten in a fun, new ball-chasing game.

Written by Katie Smith

Published: 02/02/2018, edited: 01/08/2021

Success Stories and Training Questions

Training Questions and Answers

Question

Bandit

Border Collie

4 Months

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Bandit

Border Collie

4 Months

I'd love to teach bandit how to play volleyball and I know he has the brains to do it but all he wants to do is bite the ball instead of bumping it with his nose. How do I discourage this?

7 months, 1 week ago

Bandit's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

1005 Dog owners recommended

Hello Sara, Most dogs want to nip the ball to herd is around like they would another animal. I would purchase a super light weight ball, like the plastic ones from Walmart that float on water and don't hurt if they bump a person in the face. With something super lightweight like that (buy a few because they will get popped), you can try tossing the ball toward pup's muzzle like you would throw a tennis ball to pup to catch. Since the ball is too big to catch, pup should end up nipping it in the air and bumping it back toward you. Whenever pup bumps it well, praise pup enthusiastically. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

7 months, 1 week ago

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Question

Callie

Border Collie

4 Years

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Question

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Callie

Border Collie

4 Years

I am looking for a ball to play volleyball with my pup. Any recommendations? She only weighs 28 lbs. and real volleyballs and soccer balls seem pretty heavy for her to hit with nose. Lighter balls seem to pop if she can get her mouth around them.

1 year, 9 months ago

Callie's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

1005 Dog owners recommended

Hello Lynda, So long as you are supervising pup whenever they have the ball, I suggest using a lightweight foam ball - like what might be used at the pool. Just be sure she doesn't run off with it and try to tear it apart and eat the pieces. It should not pop though and should be lightweight if you choose a lighter one. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

1 year, 9 months ago