Teaching your dog how to fetch seems like it should be one
of those things that’s so simple it requires no real thought or effort. After
all, dogs love both playing and pleasing their humans, and fetch involves both
of these things — you should just be able to do it, right?
Short answer: nope.
While there are some dogs that just seem to intrinsically
understand the game and will automatically chase and retrieve whatever object
you use the first time you try, most do not. Either they sit and stare at you,
wondering why you would choose to throw away a perfectly good toy, or they
chase after the object but don’t “catch” it, or bring it back.
So what can you do to help your pup learn the game like a
pro? Here are six tried and true tips.
1. Start with chasing
If your dog is of the “sit and stare” variety, your first
goal is to teach him to chase after the object you want him to fetch. Generally
speaking, there are three ways to do this, depending upon what motivates your
pup: you can offer him affection, treats, or play for retrieving the chosen
object.
Whichever motivator you use, the process is basically the
same. Encourage your dog to go after the item you want him to fetch. When he
grabs it, reward him with his motivator of choice, then take the object away.
Repeat this a few times, then toss the object a short distance. When he goes
for it, immediately reward him again. Repeat the process until you can reliably
toss the object and get him to chase it.
2. Add extra motivation
Want to encourage her to give chase even more? Try holding
her back after throwing the toy. She’ll naturally tug against you, especially
if you offer verbal encouragement while still holding her back. Once you
finally let go, she’ll be after the object like a rocket.
3. Retrieving
After your dog chases the object, the next step is getting
him to actually bring it back to you. There are a number of different things
you can do depending on your dog’s behavior. If he won’t bring the object back
at all, it can help to use a second toy. Once he’s “caught” the first one, show
him the second and throw it in the opposite direction. He probably won’t carry
the first toy with him, but it will at least get him accustomed to the idea of
running back to you after he’s caught the object.
After he masters this, try calling him to come back to you
while he’s holding the object and asking him to drop it. If you show the second
object, he’ll likely drop the first one to chase after it. Eventually, he’ll
learn that if he comes back to you and drops the object, you’ll throw it again.
4. Avoiding “keep away.”
For dogs that like to catch the object and run off with it,
a rope can help. Once she catches the object, wriggle the line and pull it
towards you or run away from your dog with it. This should encourage her to
follow you. Even if she doesn’t, reel the rope in and praise her when she gets
close, then toss the object again and repeat. Do this for a few weeks and your
pup should come to you naturally.
5. Getting the object back
If your dog stops and drops the object before reaching you,
back away while saying “All the way,” or “Bring it.” Once he reaches the spot
where you were originally located, go to him and offer praise, then toss the
object again. If the issue is that he won’t let go, tell him to drop it and put
a treat by his nose. Most dogs will drop the object to go for the treat.
6. Pick something your dog likes
Perhaps the most important rule of all — your dog isn’t
going to chase after something unless she actually wants it, so feel free to
experiment with different objects (balls, Frisbees, sticks) until you find one
that she’s interested in.