he just looks at the ball when we throw it. sometimes he will pick it up and run. then after a while he stops. he would just lie down and stare at us like we're crazy. what will make him want to play with the ball? How do we get him to play?
2007-07-27 11:05:39 · 11 answers · asked by Natasha 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
you hve to make it relly fun for the pet.
start by playing tug
and than start tossing it a little way away,
every few days throught it further adn further
she will get the hang of it
Ohhyeah treats ar ahurg==ge help
2007-07-27 11:08:06 · answer #1 · answered by ninnian / 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's a little too young to play fetch. Tug of war is a much better game for that age - German Shepherds especially love it. I have 2 GS puppies - one is 8 months and one is 5 months. I have been trying to teach the 8 month old to play fetch, but even she doesn't get it too well. She loves the ball or whatever toy I use, she gets all excited and runs after it - but doens' t bring it back. I've found that the best way to get her to bring it back is to start saying "good girl, good girl - bring it here" as soon as she picks it up. But if she drops it stop praising her and don't make eye contact or pet her. She'll understand that she was doing something right - then stopped doing it right (because you stopped praising her). Then go get it and throw it again. Repeat and repeat and repeat. She will figure it out eventually. My dog does that - she eventually starts bringing it back and when she gets to me I get really excited and pet her and tell her "good girl". Then the next day she forgets again. Oh well, try try again.
2007-07-27 11:13:34 · answer #2 · answered by Brandi C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't sounhd like your dog has any ball drive, therefore, no prey drive. More than likely, he won't ever chase a ball, but he could. It isn't exactly something that you teach a dog. It is something that they either have, or they don't. Though I have seen puppies as young as 8 weeks old show incredible ball drive, he may still develop it. For starters, stop throwing it. One reason he may not be going to chase it is because he is so young, and won't go that far from you. Instead, try simply rolling it. You and one other person get like 10 ft from each other, sit on the floor, and roll it past him. See if he tries to chase it then. Play this game with him for a while if he shows interest. IF he doesn't, then he may not ever be interested in a ball, not all dogs have ball drive.
2007-07-28 03:38:20 · answer #3 · answered by boleen03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok so first of all, when you start teaching him how to play fetch, put him on a leash! dogs dont know automatically that they need to bring the ball back! if hes on a leash, you can lead him back to you which he will hopefully get used to! ok well anyway, then get a tennis ball and cut a slit in it. then get a treat and after a few minutes of teasing your doggie with it, let your pup watch you put the treat inside the slit of the tennis ball. then throw it however far you want and from the time your pup starts running for it to the time he picks it up say, "catch!" over and over again in a happy happy voice. then when he picks it up, give the leash a slight tug and say, "back" in an even happier voice! then pull it out of his mouth (you can use a command for that too if you want!) and take the treat out and give it to him while giving him tons of love and verbal praise! repeat this 2-3 times a day and soon you'll be able to try w/o the leash and hopefully you can shorten the command to just saying, "fetch!"
good luck!
2007-07-28 17:39:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nancy Kay is absolutely correct. Some breeds just aren't into playing fetch. German Shepherd are herding dogs and retrieving holds no fascination for them.
Much like Herding sheep is no fun for a retriever.
2007-07-27 11:16:56 · answer #5 · answered by Shanna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try having some dog treats in your hand so he gets used to getting a treat when he brings the ball back, sometimes bribery is the only way, and don,t throw the ball too far let him get used to bringing it back ,then throw it a little further each time he will eventually get the idea
2007-07-27 11:15:10 · answer #6 · answered by john s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
throw a stick or ball and when he goes and picks it up, start calling his name and when and if he brings it back, show some love and give him treats! just keep doing this and he will get the idea!
Good Luck!
2007-07-27 11:10:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
throw a ball
the dog should want to get it
have a peice of food and call it
when the brings it back reward it
some dogs have the instint to fetch
2007-07-27 11:53:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a wiffle ball, (the plastic ones with holes), stuff a piece of bacon in one of the holes, let him smell it, and throw the ball...he'll bring it back, to have you get the bacon out...
2007-07-27 11:08:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Through a treat (LOL). No just kidding but really reward him each time he gets the ball and brings it back. (also don't baby him tell him not ask; tell him to bring it to you.)
2007-07-27 11:09:26 · answer #10 · answered by Lena W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋