Fetch is a classic game that can be enjoyed by humans and dogs alike. But beyond being a fun activity, fetch also has some useful benefits. For one, it helps to tire out your dog, providing much-needed exercise. This is especially important for high-energy breeds that need to burn off excess energy. In addition, fetch can be used as a training tool to teach your dog basic commands such as “come” and “stay.”
Playing fetch is a great way to bond with your furry friend and build a strong relationship. So next time you’re looking for a way to entertain your dog, consider teaching them to fetch. It’s not only enjoyable for both of you, but it can also be quite useful.
Here are some helpful tips on how to teach your new puppy (or even your older dog) how to fetch.
1. Start with an object that your dog is interested in – a toy, a ball, or a treat
Teaching a dog to fetch is a great way to keep them active and mentally stimulated. It’s also a great way to bond with your furry friend. The first step is to get your dog’s attention. This can be done by showing them the object you want them to fetch, and giving them a verbal cue such as “fetch.”
Once your dog is focused on the object, throw it a short distance away. As your dog goes to retrieve the object, praise them enthusiastically. Once they bring the object back to you, give them a treat or another reward.
2. Show your dog the object and encourage him to get it
Teaching a dog to fetch is a fun and easy way to bond with your furry friend. The first step is to show your dog the object that you want him to fetch – this could be a ball, frisbee, or stick. Using a toy that your dog is already familiar with and interested in can be helpful because they will naturally want to go get it when you throw it.
Once he has seen the object, encourage him to go and get it. You can do this by calling his name and pointing toward the object. If he is hesitant, you can throw the object a short distance away from him. As he starts to get the hang of it, you can increase the distance that you throw the item. With practice and patience, your dog will soon be fetching like a pro!
3. As he starts to fetch the object, give him lots of praise and rewards
Teaching a dog to fetch may seem like a simple task, but it can actually be quite challenging. The first step is to get your dog’s attention and get him excited about the prospect of fetching the object. Once he is focused on you, start by throwing the object a short distance away. As he starts to fetch it, give him lots of praise and rewards. If he brings the object back to you, continue to praise and reward him. If he doesn’t bring it back, try again with a different object or a different type of reward.
Positive reinforcement is key when teaching a dog to fetch. Many studies have shown that dogs respond really well to positive feedback. So if you want to teach your dog to fetch, be sure to give him plenty of praise and rewards!
With patience and practice, most dogs can learn to fetch quite easily.
4. If he drops the object, don’t scold him – just encourage him to pick it up again
It is very common for your dog to drop the object that you are trying to get him to fetch. This is ok. If your dog drops the object they are fetching, do not scold him. This will only serve to discourage him. Instead, simply encourage him to pick the object up again and try again. With patience and practice, your dog will get the hang of it and will eventually be able to fetch without dropping the object.
Try using different objects or rewards to keep your dog’s interest. Using different objects will not only keep your dog interested in what they are fetching, it will also get them used to fetching different things which means they can learn to fetch useful objects like your shoes or your remote control. There are even dogs that learn to fetch a beer from the fridge!
Keep Away
My dog loves to play keep away and so we play keep away much more than we play fetch. He loves it when I chase him and so that is what I do. If your dog does not bring you back the item that you want them to fetch, you can make the game more exciting for them by running after the object with them and getting them to interact with you and the object. This is a great first step to learning to fetch if your dog does not want to interact with the toy.
Another great thing to try if your dog is not that interested in chasing the toy is finding a different toy. My dog was not interested in fetch at all when I threw a ball through the air. However, when I rolled a frisbee across the ground, he was ecstatic to chase it and bring it back to me. You have to find what your dog likes and what motivates him to run after the toy. Once they have the basic concept of fetch down, then you can move to other objects and greater thrown distances.
5. Practice regularly and make sure your dog has plenty of fun fetching objects!
Practice is essential for learning any skill. It is possible to teach young dogs and old dogs alike to fetch. Some dogs are born with a more natural fetching instinct and others take longer to learn. Whether your dog picks it up in a day or takes longer, make sure your dog has plenty of fun while teaching them the game of fetch. If your dog does not pick it up right away, there is no need to get discouraged. They will pick it up soon.
