why doesn't my dog play fetch?

Answer 1

cause he can't want too.....

Answer 2

Fetch isn't always a natural behavior in dogs. Breeds that were bred to retrieve often have more of a drive to fetch than others, but even some retrievers have to be taught to fetch.

You need to get a book of tricks and teach your dog to fetch.

Answer 3

Well first off, fetch is a trained game dogs don't just do it instinctively. Second, not all dogs like fetch. My chi Elvis will play along for a throw or two, but he stops soon after. He really doesn't like it much. Higher energy dogs tend to be more into it though.

Answer 4

some dogs just don't. to train him, throw something just a short distance - like in your living room throw it 5 feet or so. When the dog brings it back, give him a treat and tell him good dog. He will get the idea really fast.

My golden retriever took to it naturally, but even she will only do it for a 1/2 dozen throws or so and surprisingly won't fetch something thrown in the water.

Answer 5

Your dog is probably a breed that has not been bred to fetch things. Sporting dogs, labs, Goldens, Cockers are fetchers, it's instictive.
Some breeds are not fetchers, I have Afghan Hounds, they are hunters, I tried to get them to fetch, they look at me like "You threw it! You go get it!"
Fetching is just not in some breed's instinctive make-up.
Some can be trained to fetch, but unless you are a professional trainer, some dogs will never be 100% reliable.
Marti
www.havanesehappenings.com
www.borzoibeacon.com

Answer 6

What breed is your dog? If he's a retriever, fetching a ball should be instinctive. Otherwise, he'll need to be trained to fetch something.

Answer 7

One of my dogs will play fetch. He likes to play with a stuff animal. I'll play with him using the stuffed animal, and then I'll throw it. He runs and brings it back because he wants to engage in play. My other dog likes to chew the stuff animal. If I throw the toy, he'll run over and get it, but then he takes to a place where he can chew it in peace.

A lot of it depends upon the breed. Retreivers by nature are going to want to bring things back to you, but a terrier is likely to.

Answer 8

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/aKHLv

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 9

i have 8 dog three of them fetch instintively and teh others could care less you can if you really want to teach your dog to fetch you can use this site

Answer 10

depends on the breed also - dogs like goldens, labs were bred to brings things back so they love fetch. others just weren't bred for it - like my little pom - you can through the ball but it sucks cause now you have to go get it.

Answer 11

Have you taught him how? My dogs wouldn't fetch until I taught them how to do it.