Baiting...

[jakort1]

I was wondering about baiting in the ring. I know that most people use either a sqeaky or food, however when I'm with Will he's focused on the presence of other dogs to the point that he ignores treats. The one supreme bribe that can grab his attention is a tennis ball (laugh all you want):LAUGH:. Would it be permissible to keep a tennis ball in my hand as bait?

[fogebotom]

The #1 smooth fox terrier-Demetro, his handler-Susan Kipp, takes in a squeaky tennis ball to the group ring with him. Just have to be careful how you use it but I don't see why not.

[Jespah]

Okay, I don't know anything about this subject, but there are some small tennis balls out there, made for smaller breed dogs, that I would imagine you could be more "subtle" with, but still get his attention. (Not to play with though, they would be a choking hazzard.)

[taflar]

I was wondering about baiting in the ring. I know that most people use either a sqeaky or food, however when I'm with Will he's focused on the presence of other dogs to the point that he ignores treats. The one supreme bribe that can grab his attention is a tennis ball (laugh all you want):LAUGH:. Would it be permissible to keep a tennis ball in my hand as bait?

If he doesn't need bait don't use any. If the other dogs work go with that. There is no law that says you have to have bait. In fact I had a Pembroke girl that I never used bait with. In fact I'd take it out of my pocket and show her my pocket was empty. She worked better that way. If I had bait she'd only focus on that and not behave. If I didn't have it she showed well.

And yes, you can use a tennis ball. You might have to put it in your pocket at some point so you might look for one that's smaller.

Peggy