Do you know that you can easily get the attention of the gorgeous ladies in the beach if you have a handsome dog that moves with lighting speed to catch the Frisbee when you say “Fetch”? It would certainly be lots of fun to play with a dog that can fetch. Unfortunately, dogs don’t come from breeder already trained to fetch. A retriever is a breed highly valued by hunters to get the game after the shot but the retrieving ability is not innate as these dogs have to undertake training before they can be useful hunter’s companions.
Dogs are intelligent animals thus teaching them the fetch command would not be too difficult. We know how playful these animals are thus the training will be viewed by the pet as a game. An owner wanting to teach the pet to fetch can take advantage of the dog’s inherent eagerness to please. Dogs are food motivated thus favorite treats can be used as positive reinforcement to make the training easier.
Play with the dog first before starting the training. If you have decided to use a ball, play with the ball to get the attention of the dog. Play with the ball, toss and then retrieve. The dog will surely be enticed to play because dogs are naturally playful. Toss the ball and at the same time give the fetch command. At the start of the training, the dog will not return the ball to you although it may run after the ball and play with it for a while. Praise the dog, get the ball and return to your original position. This process must be repeated until the dog has learned to get and return the ball to you. Give a treat and praise the dog.
The reward will entice the dog to obey as it will be associated by the dog to the fetch command. Take the training to the next level by tossing the ball farther. The dog will go a little further but may not pick up the ball. Refrain from giving the dog a treat. The dog has to understand that a treat will only be received if he returns the ball to you.
Another way of teaching the dog to fetch is to use a toy with an opening where a treat can be placed. Ensure that the treat cannot be easily removed from the toy. Once the dog had removed the treat, it will be eaten and the toy will not be returned to you. The dog has to learn to return the baited toy to you so that you can remove the treat and give it to the dog.
