How to teach a dog to fetch
Do you know that you can easily get the attention of the gorgeous ladies in the beach if you have a handsome dog that moves with lighting speed to catch the Frisbee when you say “Fetch”? A dog that can fetch will be a joy to play with. Puppies though are not obtained from the breeder already trained to fetch. A retriever is a breed highly valued by hunters to get the game after the shot but the retrieving ability is not innate as these dogs have to undertake training before they can be useful hunter’s companions.
Dogs are intelligent animals thus teaching them the fetch command would not be too difficult. We know how playful these animals are thus the training will be viewed by the pet as a game. To train the dog to fetch, an owner can take advantage of the dog’s inherent behavior of pleasing its people. Treats can be used to make the dog interested in the training as dogs are noted to be food motivated.
Start the training by playing with the dog. 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. Keep on training the dog until it has learned to obey the fetch command. Every time the dog obeys praise and reward the pet with a treat.
Dogs learn by association thus receiving the treat will be associated with the obeying the fetch command. Take the training to the next level by tossing the ball farther. The dog will go a little further but may not pick up the ball. Refrain from giving the dog a treat. The dog has to understand that a treat will only be received if he returns the ball to you.
Another way of teaching the dog to fetch is to use a toy with an opening where a treat can be placed. Ensure that the treat cannot be easily removed from the toy. The purpose of using a baited toy will be lost if the dog can remove and eat the treat. The baited toy should be should be returned to you so you can remove the treat that will be given to the dog.
