Teeter Tips

For dogs with Teeter issues, and a really fun game for puppies, make a *Tippy Board* for them on which to get used to movement. Using heavy plywood, cut a square sized to the dog you are working with so that they can take a step or two in each direction. On what will be the underside make a frame-square with 2" x 2"s big enough to secure one of the hard plastic *indestructible* balls directly in the center keeping in mind the you will work your way up in ball diameter. Using the same 2" x2"s as the inner frame, reinforce the edges of the board with an outer frame. The framing on my own tippy board is glued and nailed. Paint the board first with primer then with non-skid garage floor paint mixed with sand for good traction. Get the plastic balls in various sizes, start with small ball placed under the board inside the center *frame*. Walk the dog over the board, which will tip in any direction. Reward the effort with lots of praise and treats - this is especially true if your dog has problems with movement. Do not use force of any kind.

If you have to use treats to urge your dog over in the beginning (it's OK to do this) try placing the treat near the edge (or several leading up to the edge) and another treat placed on a target just beyond the tipping edge. (For an extra special confidence-building treat, I use whipped cream - dogs love it!) This serves to focus the dog, keeps their head down and also reinforces the *get it* command. Remember to start small and work up in size as confidence increases. Don't rush the process and keep the training periods short, fun and positive. Once your dog realizes that it is in control of the movement, the Teeter/Totter will not be such a scary place to be. Tippy Board work goes well with clicker training since you can click/treat to reinforce the tipping of the board. For puppies this is a wonderful game because it helps their body awareness, concentration and confidence.

Bonnie Goodfriend - March 2002

Regarding agility, one of the suggestions from our agility instructor is regarding the dreaded teeter. Both Belle (Leo) and Savannah (GSD) are in agility - Savannah is more advanced at this point. When Savannah started working with the teeter it really freaked her out that it was moving under her. She really didn't like it. Our agility instructor went to a conference regarding agility training and came back with an idea to help out. So now I have a board with a piece of PVC pipe screwed to the middle, making a short tippy board. I have this in my home office, where I work, and take a break now and then and have both dogs work back and forth across the tippy board. We haven't used the real teeter since I got this, but they seem totally fearless now about things moving under their feet like that. I can't wait to get them on the real teeter!

Terry Johnson - May 1999