How To Teach A Dog To Fetch
Wouldn’t it be nice if you can have the attention of all the gorgeous bikini clad ladies in the beach because your dog retrieves the Frisbee every time you say the word “fetch”? Playing fetch with the dog would be lots of fun. To be able to have these fun moments, dogs need to be trained to fetch. Even retrievers, the dogs that were specifically bred to retrieve game after the shot have to be trained before they can be useful hunter’s companions.
Fetch is a simple obedience command that can be easily learned by the dog. Dogs are playful animals thus it would not be difficult to get them interested to the training at it will be viewed by the dog as another game. The dog’s inherent eagerness to please can be used by a dog owner to train the pet to fetch . Dogs are food motivated thus favorite treats can be used as positive reinforcement to make the training easier.
Before you start the training, play with the dog first. Get the dog’s attention by playing with the toy that will be used in the training. Toss the ball a few feet away and then retrieve. The dog will surely be enticed to play because dogs are naturally playful. Toss the ball and at the same time give the fetch command. The dog will touch the ball with its mouth but it will not retrieve. Praise the dog, get the ball and return to your original position. Repeat the process until the dog picks up the ball and returns it to you. Every time the dog obeys praise and reward the pet with a treat.
The reward will entice the dog to obey as it will be associated by the dog to the fetch command. To test the dog, give the fetch command and toss the ball farther. The dog may run after the ball but it may not pick the ball. Do not give a treat. The dog must understand that a reward is forthcoming only if the ball is fetched.
A treat filled toy can be used to train a dog to fetch. Just make sure that the dog cannot get the treat inside the toy. Once the dog had removed the treat, it will be eaten and the toy will not be returned to you. The baited toy should be should be returned to you so you can remove the treat that will be given to the dog.
Learn more tricks on how to teach a dog to fetch and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.
