Looking After Pets

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”? It would certainly be lots of fun to play with a dog that can fetch. 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. 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. To train the dog to fetch, an owner can take advantage of the dog’s inherent behavior of pleasing its people. 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. If you have decided to use a ball, play with the ball to get the attention of the dog. Play with the ball, toss and then retrieve. Because dogs are very playful, they will try to get the ball before you can. Toss the ball a few feet away and give the fetch command. The dog will run after the ball, touch the ball with its mouth but don’t expect the dog to return the ball to you. Praise the dog, get the ball and return to your original position. This process must be repeated until the dog has learned to get and return the ball to you. Praise and reward the dog with a treat.

The reward will entice the dog to obey as it will be associated by the dog to the fetch command. Take the training to the next level by tossing the ball farther. The dog may run after the ball but it may not pick the ball. Do not reward the dog with the treat. The dog has to understand that a treat will only be received if he returns the ball to you.

You can train a dog to fetch by using a toy filled with treats. However, be sure that the dog cannot get the treat 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.