Fetching is a favourite activity for many dogs. Some dogs have it in their genes. Others must be shown how it is done before they start enjoying it. As with all other commands, positive motivation and rewarding are important. How to go about it?
Teaching your dog to fetch is a matter of patience. So before you set off for your first training, make sure you have plenty of it. Some dogs take longer to understand the score with the stick, ball or a different object which you keep throwing for them.
You will need some treats, a favourite toy and a string. First, make the dog intrigued, play with the toy and fight over it. If the dog is not interested, try again later.
After a short warm-up game, throw the toy a few metres away from you and say "fetch" or another command, such as "retrieve", etc. When the dog picks it up, say "here". The dog should come to you with the toy and let go of it when you say "drop".
This is the ideal example. But what to do when the dog starts running off with the toy? You have several options.
If you are a sporty type, you can motivate your furry friend to bring the toy to you by slowly running away from him and shouting "here". The dog should instinctively start running after you. When he reaches you, say "drop". Voice-motivation really works.
Are you not too keen on running? Use a string. Tie a piece of string to the toy and say "fetch" but when the dog gets to the toy, you say "here" and start pulling the string with the toy back towards you. Keep rewarding your dog to make him understand the whole fetching process.
Before you start, your furry friend should know basic commands, such as "here" and "sit". And why sit? Because correct fetching starts from the sitting position. As soon as the dog fetches his toy and drops it before you, make him sit again. And reward him.
If your four-legged friend likes to swim, try fetching in water. The advantage is that the dog does not have many options for running off with the toy - unless he gets out on the other side of the river :).
In summer, it is important to prevent the dog from overheating during fetching and from an extreme change in temperature when jumping into water as it could cause a shock.
In winter, make sure that the dog does not overheat inside before getting cold outside. After an activity, it is ideal to go home with the dog. If you decide to continue walking, dress him in a light dog jacket.
Never do fetching on asphalt or concrete. The benefit of them filing their claws is not worth the risk of having their paws burnt. That type of terrain is generally not ideal for dog activities. It is better to choose the woods, a park or water.
Do not forget to take with you a travel bowl and water.
Fetching should be a short activity and it is better to repeat it several times during walking, rather than fetching for an hour without a break. Start with only a few minutes of training to prevent the dog from getting bored.
In this cycle, we’re going to have a look together on how cats and dogs are doing around the world. Where they are pampered and people forego them and where, to the contrary, the pets suffer and their situation is critical. Today, I will introduce you...
In this series, we will get to know famous dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let’s take a look what they have already achieved during the time of our lives together. With his determination, Balto saved lives of many people...
Everyone likes to take their four-legged friend along with them on a holiday, but the situation just won’t allow it sometimes. Not all the dogs take well to long trips by car or high temperatures, or are A graders in obedience, some are habitual...
Already since about 100 thousand years ago, when people started with domestication, we have been aware of positive effects of living together with animals. And this doesn’t concern only healing methods. Already the very presence of our pets helps us to...
If you have a cat at home, you have certainly encountered the issue of who will take care of it at times. Especially now, at the time of holidays and departures for vacations. Relatives or friends are not always able to come over and to take the cat...
The time of kittens is getting closer. Outside, however, the kittens may lose their mum from various reasons. Besides, people will start getting rid of unwanted family arrivals. So it can easily happen to you, that you will find little cat new-borns....
You may have already met a dog with a tied yellow ribbon on its collar or on its leash in the street. Did you know, that it is not a fashion accessory, but a message for the passers-by?
Rabbit hopping is a relatively young discipline that is quickly gaining new fans. After all, rabbits are virtually born for jumping, so why not use it for both their and their master’s entertainment.