If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a gentle nudge from your pup or perhaps witnessed them attempting to herd the neighborhood kids, you’re not alone! Many dogs, especially herding breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, have an innate desire to herd. But what happens when there are no sheep in sight? 🙌🏼 Enter the world of herding balls 🙌🏼 A delightful solution that channels your dog’s natural instincts into fun and exercise.

Herding balls are large, durable spheres designed for dogs to push and chase, mimicking the act of herding livestock. Unlike traditional fetch balls, they’re too big to be picked up, encouraging dogs to use their bodies to maneuver them. This activity not only satisfies their herding instincts but also provides both mental and physical stimulation.

The Benefits of Herding Balls

• Physical Exercise: Pushing and chasing a herding ball offers a rigorous workout, helping to keep your dog fit and healthy.
• Mental Stimulation: Figuring out how to control and direct the ball engages your dog’s problem-solving skills, keeping their mind sharp.
• Behavioral Improvements: Providing an appropriate outlet for herding behaviors can reduce unwanted actions, such as nipping or herding small children.
• Bonding Opportunity: Engaging in herding ball activities strengthens the bond between you and your dog through interactive play.

Our Journey with Cookie (a mini aussie as you probably know by now) has always marched to the beat of her own drum. Traditional games of fetch? Not her style. She’d watch other dogs chase the ball while she focused on her true passion: herding her canine companions. At home, her herding instincts were evident. Before our walks, she’d gently nudge my sister’s legs, urging her toward the door, ensuring no one was left behind. Recognizing these behaviors, I realized Cookie needed an outlet for her instincts. That’s when we discovered herding balls.

Our initial attempts involved smaller balls from Jolly Pets (which are loved by many, and you should definitely check them out!). While Cookie showed some interest, they didn’t fully capture her attention. She preferred carrying the handled version around rather than herding it. Determined to find the perfect match, we added a herding ball to our Christmas wish list on Instagram. To our delight, Race & Herd reached out, generously offering to gift Cookie their herding ball. The joy was palpable! 🎁 🎅🏼🎄

Our Honest Experience with the Race & Herd Herding Ball

When Race & Herd sent us their herding ball, we were honestly just super grateful and excited to try something that might actually match Cookie’s energy. Right out of the box, you could tell it was built to handle some serious play. It’s got a tough outer cover with a zipper and handle, and the material feels really sturdy which is great, because Cookie is not exactly gentle…

The ball comes with its own inflation gadget, though I’ll be honest, it took a bit of elbow grease (and some questionable grunting sounds) to get it fully pumped up. But once it was ready, it held its shape well and felt super sturdy. Since we don’t have a yard, I really appreciated that it was safe enough to use indoors without worrying about it bursting or flying into furniture. Cookie took to it almost immediately, throwing in her signature spins and snout-pushes like she’d been waiting for this moment her whole life. It’s not some magical fix-all, but it’s solid, thoughtfully made, and has definitely become her new favorite thing!

Teach Your Dog to Herd

To get the most out of herding ball play, it helps if your dog knows a few key commands: Touch and Push.

Touch: Teach your dog to touch an object (like your hand, a toy, or eventually the herding ball) with their nose. To teach “Touch,” start by gently bringing your hand close to your dog’s nose. Don’t expect her to boop it right away. Lightly touch her nose, say “Yes!” and reward any interest. Repeat until she begins to reach out with her nose on her own. Then say “Touch” just before offering your hand. Once she understands the cue, you can switch to objects like a toy or a door. This builds the foundation for the “Push” command later on.

Push: Teach your dog to use her nose (or chest) to push something forward—like the herding ball. Once your dog knows “Touch,” start asking for firmer nose bumps. Say “Push” instead of “Touch” and reward when she adds a little force. Try holding your hand or a toy for her to push, then move on to something like a door and reward when it moves. When she’s confidently pushing, place the herding ball on the ground and use the “Push” cue. Praise and treat every time she nudges the ball forward. Keep it fun and simple!

You can also find some great training videos online that show how to teach your dog to herd a ball. Click here to check out the ones that really helped me—they made a big difference for Cookie!

A Few Tips for Fellow Dog Owners: Make sure the ball suits your dog’s size and energy level.
Supervise your dog during herding ball play.
Let your dog get used to the ball gradually.
Use an open space, indoors or out, where they can move freely.

The Joy of Herding – Final Thoughts

Adding a herding ball to Cookie’s routine has made a big difference. It gives her a fun and meaningful way to tap into her natural instincts, and she’s noticeably more focused, calm, and content. For any dog owner, especially those with herding breeds, this kind of activity is a great way to channel that built-in drive in a healthy direction. Herding balls are a way to help your dog feel understood and satisfied. If your pup is more of a herder than a fetcher, a well-designed ball like the one from Race & Herd might be just the thing to try!

Sources

American Kennel Club (AKC) – Treibball—Not Just for Herding Breeds

Whole Dog Journal – Herding Balls for Dogs

Watch Cookie’s unboxing, training, and herding videos HERE!