how to teach a 5 month old sheltie to play fetch?

Question

i have a husky that it just came naturally, but this sheltie seems to never want to bring it back, does it depend on the dog. the sheltie really just wants people to hold her all the time

Answer 1

I breed shelties and currently have 4 of my own. First of all, Shelties are smart loyal and always want to please their people. However, your dog is only 5 months old and is still a puppy learning. You have to remember that patience is the key. You will probably have to throw the ball or stick or whatever you are using to play fetch with several times..and walk or run your dog over to the item several times, putting it in their mouth and then having them give it to you. This also works best if you have two people to do this with. One can throw the item the other can bring your dog to it, put it in their mouth and then bring it back to the first person who threw it.

now mind you, your dog may not want to keep the item in its mouth if that is the case, then simply just bring the item back to the first person yourself. Eventually your dog will catch on. Im sure it wont take as long as you think because shelties are really smart dogs and learn fast. Good Luck.

Answer 2

I have had several shelties and love the breed but they are herders and mine have always had a soft mouth as in they don't like to put things in it for retrieving. all dogs are different so i would suggest buying a breed specific book and learn how best to train your shelty.

Answer 3

I have four shelties and none of them enjoy retrieving. Coming from a background with retrievers this was kind of hard to adjust to but i'm over it now. I do herding and agility. if i ever get a retrieve on my dogs i'll do obedience but i'm thinking it won't be a big deal if i don't.

Answer 4

Play fetch with your other dog while the sheltie is watching, she might pick it up that way. Thats how my puppies learned.

Answer 5

She sounds like she was abrusied. Don't worry about her bring the toy back to you. Just go get it and continue playing with her. Gradually she will learn from your other dog as to what she is to do. Give it time

I have a border collie I got at 5 months. She would never bring her toys back either. Now she brings them half way back and if she sees you can't reach them she pushes them close to you and backs up and waits for you to through it again... She is now 2 years

Answer 6

There are a few real keys to dog training, whether you are trying to train your dog to come when called, sit, stop barking or any other behavior. Understanding their importance is critical to achieving rapid results that are long lasting and help develop the bond between you and your dog. Learn more http://OnlineDogTraining.enle.info/?8530

The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don’t achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren’t putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.

The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.

Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.

Answer 7

you put penut butter on what ever you are throwing. you let them smell it and them throw it. they will go get it. make sure the other dog isn't there. Then you give them a treat. slowly stop using penut butter then bring in the other dog. trust me it will work my mom is a dog breeder with golden retrivers