Teaching Fetch

... how to teach your dog to fetch

Teaching Your Dog to Fetch

Fetch is one of the best games to play with your pet. Not only is it fun for you, because you get the opportunity to play a sport with your canine best friend – it is also a great way to keep your dog active in order to promote healthy muscles and calm, good behavior. Unlike most forms of dog obedience training, how easy it is for your dog to fetch depends in large part on your dog’s breed. Some dog’s have been bred to bring back items for their masters, while other dogs have no such inclination and need quite a bit of prodding before fetching is possible.

When Your Dog is a Fetching Breed

Retrievers, Labs and Spaniels are an example of dog breeds that has been bred to fetch. If you have this type of breed, most likely all you need to do is throw something, anything, and your pet will return it. Still, it is always nice to add a word or command to it, so when you can tell your dog is interested in retrieving the ball, yell “Fetch” and throw it. Once your dog brings it back, shower them with praise and affection.

When Your Dog is Not a Fetching Breed

When your pet does not show this natural inclination to fetch, or at least does not bring the ball back (some dog breeds like to chase items and put them in their mouth, but then leave it there before running back), then you will need to do a little bit longer training.

When teaching fetch, first, your dog should have already learned the “Grab it” command. This will ensure that you can get your dog to pick up a toy if it is reluctant to bring it back to you. Next, find something your dog likes, such as a ball or rope. Tease your dog with it so that they badly want to play with it themselves, then toss it just a foot or two in front of you and say “Fetch!” When your dog picks it up, put your hand right by the toy and hold out a treat so that they drop ball to get the treat. Once they do, give them the treat and shower them with praise. Repeat this process for a while throwing to ball a little bit further each time.

Soon your pet should be responding to the “Fetch” command and bringing the ball back to you for treats and affection.

In the Park

Teaching fetch at longer distances, some dogs will run after the ball after you have thrown it, grab it, but then drop it on their way back. In these cases, use the “Grab it” command to have your dog pick it back up and bring it further to you. If they continue to drop it, continue using the “Grab it” command. Any time your dog brings it all the way back to you, be sure and shower it with praise and treats so that it understands the desired behavior.

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