How do you teach a puppy to fetch?

Question

My pitbull doesn't seem to understand how to play fetch. She runs to get the toy, but doesn't want to let go & has more fun getting me to try to pull it away from her.

Answer 1

Playing fetch games provides some good exercise for your dog. It also provides a good way to get those toys back so you don't end up getting all the exercise.

* In the beginning, roll the toy away from your dog and let him get it.
* When he picks it up, say, "Fetch!" so he begins to associate the command with the action. Then praise him with an excited voice.
* As he gets older, throw the toy a little further.
* When he brings it back, give lots of praise and let your dog play with the toy for a few minutes so he gains some benefit from his effort of retrieving it.
* If he doesn't bring it back, use a long lead attached to his collar. Gently reel your dog in with the toy and praise him for coming back.
* Pet him, but avoid his head so he doesn't think you're going to immediately take the toy from him.
* Care should be taken playing this game vigorously with growing dogs. Avoid playing on slippery surfaces and ask your veterinarian how much fetch is appropriate for your age and breed of dog.



Some dogs enjoy the chase of the toy and retrieving it and want you to throw it again immediately. Others want the toy with less chasing and retrieving.

Once he's had a minute or so to play with the toy, your dog may drop it on his own. If he does, say, "Drop," to reinforce the behavior. If he doesn't drop it on his own, get a light grip on the toy and give the command to drop. Praise him when he lets go of it and throw it again.

Answer 2

Some puppies do that extra clearly than others but when she loves to chase it whilst you throw it you'll be able to uncover it lovely handy to educate her to carry it again too. Start with fairly small distances. The preliminary goal is to make her experience giving up toys to you. When you play along with her, train taking toys from her mouth announcing thanks. When she offers it up make a fuss of her and bring on with the sport. Drop the toy an overly small distance from you - say a foot to begin with, say 'fetch' and while she grabs it and begins prancing round, name her to you and take it from her with a thanks and tons of compliment. Once she is used to this movements and pals fetch with you losing the toy... you'll be able to transfer directly to the following degree, progressively develop the space at a velocity that she will be able to paintings with. If you repeat this a couple of instances day-to-day - on no account extra that three-five instances in a single move ,she'll get the message with out losing interest and fairly appear ahead to video games of fetch. If you uncover that she is not occupied with those video games you'll be able to nonetheless educate her to fetch however you can also ought to introduce meals gift for compliment to develop the incentive. Have numerous amusing!!

Answer 3

I taught my dachshund to fetch by playing with her with the toy first...then teaching her "Give"....where I'd tug at it and say in a strong commanding voice "Give"....until she'd let the toy go. Then, I'd pat her or scratch behind her ears...say "Good Girl".

When she mastered this, I started throwing it and she'd instantly chase it...and when she brought it back to me, I'd praise her...then I'd grab hold of the toy and say "Give" again. From our earlier training sessions, she remembered to let go when she heard the one word command, and we'd start all over again.

Short moments of praise lets them know they're doing what you want them to do. Then repeating the fun action makes them want to do it again and again.

Problem you may be encountering also....is Pits like to tug...they lock their jaw on a toy and tug and tug until it's theirs. But, I've raised a handful of Pits....and used the same technique as I did mnost recently with my Dachshund. It takes a lot of repetition, but in due time, they get the concept and perform for you.

Good luck.

Answer 4

My dog did this too when she was a puppy, she liked stealing things and burying them lamely and I would always find them. I suggest you reward her when you take the toy or whatever away and eventually she will expect a reward from you everytime she brings it back. If you just suddenly stop she will proably stop bringing the toy back so you have to give her something every so often so she will bring it back all the time.

Answer 5

For letting go, put your hand under the dogs chin. You may need to pull his jaw down from time to time. My dog is now 1 and a half and all I have to do is tell him "give" and he drops it right in my hand.

Answer 6

Dip the ball in some food, so it will follow the smell when you throw it. Or when you throw the ball, give you dog a treat.

Answer 7

take it anyways, give her a treat and throw it again....../repeat/repeat/repeat everyday until she figures out you want it for exchange of treat or praise then try to throw it again and see if she will bring it to you on her own..

Answer 8

http://www.puplife.com/dogcaretips/fetch.html
this should help you.