How to Train Your Dog to Fetch

The relationship you have with your dog does not always just have to be about attempting to prevent her from doing something negative . Savoring fun times is also a large part of your relationship with your dog . Learning how to train dog to fetch is one of those fun activities that you can share with your dog that can produce a strong and loving bond . The most common form of this is training your dog to retrieve a ball.

Take it gradually

The first step to finding out how to train dog to fetch is to throw the ball a short distance away, and see if your dog runs after it, picks it up, and retrieves it for you . She most likely won’t on the first try . If this occurs, use praise and reward at different intervals of the overall process . At the point where she picks the ball up, praise her and give her treats . Tell her to stay, and then return to your first position. If you then call her towards you, and she brings the ball and drops it at your feet, then again reward her with praise and treats .

Then, see if she can do what you desire without you having to go to the location where she picks the ball up . Once you can get her to retrieve the ball, and then return it to you, then gradually start increasing the distance that you throw the ball .

Have a second ball on hand

Having another ball on hand is crucial in the event that you are experiencing issues in your dog returning the ball to you at your feet. If she does not drop the original ball at your feet, begin playing with the second ball, and ignore your dog in the process . Make her feel like you are playing with something truly special. She will ultimately grow tired of the first ball, and will drop it at your feet. When this happens, you can repeat the process of positive reinforcement . This will take some practice and patience.

Make the “fetch toy” a special one

Be certain to reserve the “fetch toy” just for fetch . If your dog plays with this toy everywhere and all the time, she will lose her desire to chase it when it comes time to play fetch . If your dog is made to wait to play with a “fetch toy”, her interest in it will be higher .

Focus her attention

Also think about briefly holding your dog before making it possible for her to chase after the ball . She will focus on it more this way, thus increasing her desire to retrieve it for you .

Practice makes perfect

It will take practice, patience, and consistency to properly learn how to train a dog to fetch, nonetheless all of your hard work will pay off in the end, when you can enjoy a special bonding experience with your best friend . A lot more fun that worrying about how to stop a puppy from biting, and how to stop dog aggression, isn’t it ?