One handler and one dog work together to learn the skills to play Treibball. It’s a great game involving the dog retrieving one or more large balls back to the handler. Think of it like a gentler game of pool — Think of it like a gentler game of pool — the dog plays the shots, nudging large exercise balls with their nose and body toward the handler, who waits in the pocket (goal). This engaging, handler-friendly sport builds the eye contact, body awareness, targeting, distance work, and impulse control that make great service dogs even better. . The game can be adapted for almost every team and can be played with the handler standing or sitting.
Playing the game reinforces and generalizes useful service dog skills in a fun way! And, it builds confidence and trust within the team.
Price: CAD $250 for 6 week Zoom class. 2 x 30 min sessions per week. Sessions recorded with 24/7 access for two years.
Downloadable printable training checklist.
Small group training (max 4 other students) with Donna Hill, B.Sc. B.Ed., service dog team specialist
Each week, we meet as a small group twice for 30 minutes on Zoom from anywhere in the world.
Students will work with their dog for 5 minutes each on skills presented during class. Everyone is welcome to ask questions during the session.
They will have homework after each session to allow them to practice and generalize the skills learned. A downloadable training checklist is available for each lesson.
This is much like in-person classes except you are in your own home or yard and without the distraction of other dogs while learning.
Who is This Series Created For?
- Everyone welcome!
- Owner trainers of service dogs and therapy dogs who want to have structure when training and exercising their dog (under 18 years need parent permission and supervision online with other adults-parents and caregivers attend at no extra cost)
- People who need help adapting training for their specific mobility or other limitations.
- People who want to stay relatively stationary and let the dog do the work. No running involved unless you want to. (But playing Treibball can be a great way to motivate people to start moving who would otherwise be sedentary).
- Dog training coaches who want to refine their skills on how to adapt training for people with disabilities
- Keen Dog owners looking for a new sport to try
- Retirees looking for some fun with their dog that can be done from a stationary position.
- Therapy dog handlers looking for a safe activity for their dog to demonstrate during individual and group visitations.
- Trainers who want to start offering Treibball sport for in-person classes to clients with disabilities
- Owner trainers who don’t have a sport trainer near them
- Families who find themselves with a dog that has more energy and intelligence than they anticipated.
Overall Class Goals:
You and your dog will learn the base skills needed to play Treibball including various types of targeting, how to handle a ball, and working at a distance from the handler while following directions.
It would also give the dog more experience in working with the handler as a team without pressure as it’s a fun game!
In order to fully participate in our “Zoom Treibball” classes, you will need:
- a high-speed internet connection
- a computer, laptop, tablet or handheld device that has a recent operating system (older systems may have trouble displaying the lessons)
- a web cam (for Zoom webcam sessions)
- ball of suitable size for your dog (we typically use yoga balls for medium and large dogs and old basketballs or soccer balls for smaller dogs) Aim for the ball diameter to be close to your dog’s height at the shoulders.
- quiet indoor and outdoor training space about 10 feet long by 6 feet wide until your dog has learned the behavior
- Larger space with internet as your dog progresses in distance (indoor or outdoor quiet, low wind space)
- Optional: Printer to print off downloadable training handouts
- Helpful prerequisite skills: backing up a few steps in front of handler, wait, move around handler
The few training equipment needed are commonly found around a house and yard, or can be borrowed or bought second hand while you need them.
Build real skills. Mentally and physically exercise your dog. From anywhere.
Looking for a fun activity that works your dog’s body and mind? Treibball might be exactly what your team needs! This engaging, handler-friendly sport builds the eye contact, body awareness, targeting, distance work, and impulse control that make great service dogs even better. Once trained, only one piece of equipment needed — a large ball!
You and your dog learn the skills together from scratch and progress at your own speed.
Helpful prerequisite skills: backing up a few steps in front of handler, wait, move around handler
ACCESSIBILITY
Treibball can be trained and played almost entirely with the handler in a stationary position, indoors or out — making it one of the most accessible dog sports for handlers managing mobility challenges, chronic pain, fatigue, dizziness, or other limitations.
Donna offers personalized training adaptations to ensure you and your dog succeed. If you have limitations—such as balance, dexterity, or strength issues—let her know, and she will tailor techniques to your needs.
Downloadable, printable instructions for easy access.
SKILLS THAT CARRY OVER TO REAL SERVICE DOG WORK
Treibball skills | Service task it strengthens |
Nose, paw & body targeting | Deep pressure therapy, medical & anxiety alerts and interuptions, button pressing, shutting doors |
Distance work | Retrieve, fetch, room-clearing, going for help, settle at a distance |
Impulse control during arousal | Public access stays, crowd blocking, self-regulation, on/off switch in exciting environments, body awareness |
“Treibball skills directly reinforce the targeting, nudging, distance work, self-control and focus that service dogs use every single day — with minimal handler movement.
First Session Starts
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM Pacific
Schedule
Thursdays 9 AM & Saturdays 4 PM Pacific
Duration
30 min × 2 per week × 6 weeks
Class size
Limited to 4 students. Waitlist opens once full.
Investment
CA$250
- All Zoom lessons recorded for your review
- One extra 30-minute group catch-up session every second week if you must miss a lesson
- Maximum 4 students — personalised attention guaranteed
- 2 years of 24/7 access to all course materials
- Enrollment Coming soon!