Clubs Offering:
While some dogs love to play fetch, and for dogs like retrievers the game comes very naturally, other dogs may find the idea of fetch foreign. Some dogs don’t have much interest in toys or aren’t naturally inclined to bring toys back after being thrown. Similarly, some rescue dogs may not have had experience playing with toys as puppies and just don’t know what to do with a toy. Fetch is a game that most people want to play with their dog and it can be frustrating if you throw a toy and your dog just sits watching you or goes and gets the toy but doesn’t bring it back. Although fetch doesn’t come naturally to every dog, it is a skill that can be taught!
What If My Dog Isnât Interested?
If your dog doesnât understand fetch or seems disinterested in retrieving toys, begin with a few basics:
Once the dog is interested in the toy, itâs time to start the game of fetch. Start out by throwing the toy a few feet. As your dog catches on, be sure to show your enthusiasm so they want to please you by playing more. Gradually increase the distance you throw the toy until your dog understands the fun of chasing after something.
Itâs important to be patient during the learning process. If your dog doesnât understand the game as quickly as you want, hide any frustration you feel. Donât be discouraged if you have to pause and try again another day.Â
If your dog loves to chase the toy but wonât return it, try a game that can get dogs accustomed to bringing a toy back. Keep two toys in hand. Throw the first one. Once the dog reaches the toy, use the second toy to tease them.
At this point, the dog may run back with the first toy. But even if the dog drops the first toy, go ahead and throw the second one in another direction. Then go pick up the first toy as they retrieve the second one. Repeat the pattern of throwing one toy then teasing with another. Chances are, the dog will quickly become too excited to drop the toy theyâve retrieved and will run back to you with it.
Play this game over and over until your dog is bringing one toy back to you in anticipation of chasing another. Once that happens, they may be ready to play fetch with one toy at a time. Slowly you can introduce commands like âdrop itâ and teach your dog what you want them to do.Â
Use the power of language. Dogs have a great ability to build comprehension of your words. When you use specific phrases and actions together consistently, your dog will quickly learn what behavior is desired with each command.
Beat boredom. Remember, even fetch gets boring after a while. Try introducing new challenges like holding your dogâs collar as you throw the toy and making them wait to retrieve it. You can even introduce the command âwaitâ to let them know when itâs time to make a retrieval.Â
Rewards are great. Treats and hugs are great ways to reinforce a behavior you want to encourage. Reward your dog for chasing after a toy and bringing it back to you. Take time to hug and pet your dog so they know how much you love playing fetch, too. Keep treats in your pocket for a nice surprise.
Run with your dog. If your dog isnât a natural runner, take off after the toy when you throw it. They may not be able to resist running alongside you. Praise the effort and keep encouraging them with positive affirmations.Â
Get the toy back. Some dogs will fetch and even retrieve the ball but then wonât let you have it back. They may be trying out a different game, hoping youâll chase them. If this happens, use the âdrop itâ command, so the dog makes a connection between specific words and what you want them to do. If you offer dogs a treat to drop the ball, theyâll often catch on.
Train with a ball in hand. You can use playing fetch to take your dogâs training one step further. Introduce an additional command like âgive it,â so your dog will put the ball in your hand and not just drop it on the ground. You can also use this as an opportunity to teach your dog âbring it,â especially if theyâre naturally dropping the toy part of the way back to you. If they drop the toy early, start to move further away from the dog before they drop it. Then motion them to follow you and say âbring it.â Doing this consistently will help teach them that command.
Leave them wanting more. If you end a fetch game before your dog loses interest, it keeps them from getting bored with the game so theyll be excited to play again next time.
Supplies Needed to Teach Fetch:
Toys – When teaching a dog to fetch, I like to have an array of toys available. This will let you get a feel for what kind of toys your dog is going to like. Some dogs are ball lovers while others prefer plush toys. If your dog is really not toy motivated especially if he is a rescue dog who didn’t have a lot of exposure to toys as a puppy it can help to find toys that have a velcro compartment to put food in can be very helpful. I’ve even used fun fur pencil pouches filled with smelly treats for teaching fetch to dogs who are especially reluctant to put something in his mouth.
Treats – For teaching your dog to fetch you want to have a lot of small pieces of high-value treats.
Clicker – if you use a clicker to train your dog, have it ready. Clicker training can be especially useful to help you communicate with your dog in the early stages of teaching the trick.
Train ANY Dog How To Play Fetch PERFECTLY
Dogs and tennis balls go together like peanut butter and jelly, but can too much of a good thing be a problem? There are pups out there who are more than fond of their ball toys — whether it comes to playing fetch or simply having a comfort item to carry around — though their obsession can leave their owners feeling tired and confused. Contents
Even if you’re not engaged in a constant game of fetch, your dog’s ball obsession can get old. Luckily, we’ve consulted a few canine behavior experts, and we’ve learned a few strategies for using your dog’s favorite toy to your advantage.
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