With all of this free time on our hands, you may be looking to teach your dog a new trick or fun game! Although fetch is historically known for being a pretty simple trick, it can actually be harder than it looks. There are some dogs who are naturally gifted and understand this game pretty quickly, but for some dogs, it can be a bit of a challenge. If your pup falls under this category, keep reading to learn some easy tips to teach your dog fetch!
Although these tips are simple, remember that teaching your dog a new trick or game can take some time, so have patience!
1. Teach chasing.
Is your pup a bit of a couch potato? Try starting with chasing to gradually teach them how to play fetch! Find an object you want your dog to fetch and figure out how to reward your dog if they are able to properly chase after the object (like treats or rewarding them with the object!). Once you determine that, encourage your dog to go after the object; when he or she grabs it, reward them with your reward of choice! Keep repeating this and even begin tossing the object a short distance. Keep repeating and rewarding until it becomes more natural.
2. Add some extra motivation.
Try holding your dog back when you toss the object to prevent him or her from getting the object! Your pup will likely tug and push against you, but once you move, they’ll quickly go after the object—which means that your methods are working!
3. Practice retrieving.
So your dog has the object… but now what? You want to teach your pup to bring it back to you! There are several ways to do this, but it all really depends on the nature of your dog. You can try calling your dog’s name to have him or her come back to you, and then ask him or her to drop it so you can throw it again. If this doesn’t work, try incorporating a second object and throw it in the opposite direction so your pup can get used to running after you after chasing. Keep repeating or mixing these methods until your dog learns how to retrieve. Remember to have patience and use rewards!
4. Avoid “keep away.”
Some dogs may be more inclined to catch and run off with the object, which kind of defeats the purpose of fetch! To avoid this, try incorporating a rope. Once your dog catches the object, wiggle the rope and pull it towards you or run away from your dog with it to encourage your pup to follow you. Keep practicing and repeating this until your dog understands to come back to you after catching the object.
5. Make sure to get the object back.
You don’t want your dog to just drop the object a few feet in front of you after retrieving it—you want him or her to actually bring it to you. If your dog does this, back away a little and use a command like “All the way” or “Bring it.” If your dog won’t let go of the object, tell him or her to “drop it” or even try putting a treat under their nose. Most dogs will drop the object and go after the treat instead. Keep practicing and have patience!
6. When choosing an object, pick something your dog actually likes!
When choosing an object to play fetch with, choose an object that your dog really likes—whether it’s their favorite toy or just something they’re interested in. This will make them more likely to actually learn fetch and stick with it!
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