How to Train Your Dog to Play Volleyball

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.

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.

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.