Similar to the up down game, ping pong is a pattern game that allows your dog to take in the environment in a structured way. The difference between the two games is that ping pong is active and uses a predictable motion while up/down is a stationary exercise. For some dogs the motion of the ping pong game provides additional comfort and can help modulate their arousal level.
How to teach:
- Ideally use targets to provide clarity for your dog. If you don’t have targets you can use the outside of your feet as consistent locations at the start.
- Set up the targets so you are in the middle and there is a target on either side.
- With your dog standing in front of you, place a treat on one of the targets.
- After your dog eats the treat when they look up at you click and place the treat on the other target.
- Repeat step 3 going back and forth between the targets until your dog understands the pattern and is reliably coming back to the middle offering eye contact after each treat to start the pattern again.
- Once your dog is successfully doing the pattern, SLOWLY start increasing distance of targets – move out about 3” on each side.
- Repeat steps 2-4 with the targets at their new locations.
- Continue building the pattern by slowly increasing the distance between the targets, keeping yourself in the middle.
- Wait to increase the distance between the targets until your dog is successfully, and consistently, returning in front of you asking for the pattern to continue.
- Once your dog understands the game with the targets you can increase the distance they have to go to get the treat by gently tossing to the side (vs placing it). Once they get the treat, wait until they come back to the center and look at you. Then click and toss a treat in the opposite direction.