Fetch and retrieving thrown things is a natural behaviour for dogs adapted from their ancestors wolves in the wild. Just the way wolves have a tendency to fetch prey, dogs love getting involved in a fetch game with their human parents quite naturally. However, not all dogs are pro in playing the game. But, their retrieval instinct makes learning easy. So, how to teach a dog to fetch? Here is the answer.

Keep reading to explore a step-wise guide to teach your dog to play fetch and retrieve games and a few things to keep in mind while training them.

Step-wise guide to teaching a dog to fetch

Fetch and retrieve games provide physical exercise and mental stimulation to dogs and help keep them engaged and entertained for a long time. But like every other behaviour or trick, your dog needs training and time to learn playing such games too. Have patience and follow these steps to teach your doggo how to play fetch game:

1. Do thorough preparation

To start with; select an enclosed area with the least distractions so that your dog can stay focussed on the training. Equip yourself with a clicker, delicious treats that your dog drools for, and a dog toy that you can use as a fetch object. The toy could be: a tennis ball, a plush or rope toy, or even a treat toy.

2. Introduce the fetch toy

Hold the toy in your hand and let your dog get familiar with it. Encourage your furry friend to sniff it. Once they sniff and touch the toy, click the clicker and reward your dog with a treat. Move your hand and the toy, in different directions and teach your dog to concentrate on it. When your fur buddy stays focussed and their eyes follow the movements of the toy, click and reward them. Slowly, encourage your pooch to hold the toy in their mouth. Once they hold the toy, click and reward again with a gentle pat and a treat. You can also use verbal cues like ‘good’ or ‘yes’ to show appreciation. Order fetch toys for your dog!

3. Drop the toy at a short distance

In the next step, drop the toy at a short distance and encourage your fur baby to go and grab it. If your dog does not follow your instructions, show them what to do by grabbing the toy. Repeat the process, click and reward your doggo when they go and hold the toy.

4. Throw the toy at a longer distance

Now that your dog has learned to get a hold of the object, throw the toy at a longer distance and ask your dog to fetch it using commands such as ‘go’ or ‘run’ or ‘get it’. And when your dog acts as desired, click and reward with a treat.

5. Teach to retrieve the toy

Once your dog learns to chase and hold the toy, teach them to bring it back to you. You can use verbal cues to encourage your dog. If your furry friend drops the toy in between, move farther from them and use the cue ‘bring it’. When they follow the command and bring the toy to you, give them a treat and teach them to ‘drop’ the fetch and give it to you. Do not forget to reward your dog with a treat at every step so that they learn to associate the whole exercise with a pleasant experience.

6. Repeat: practice is the key

To help your dog master the play, make them practice it daily. Playing a fetch game is one of the easiest ways to strengthen your bond with your pet. Spend at least 20 minutes every day, repeat the above-mentioned steps and play regularly with your furry companion to provide them with physical and mental exercise and keep them happy.

Things to consider while training a dog

Though dogs have a natural liking for fetch games, some of them may take time to learn them. Keep the following things in mind while training your doggo to help them learn and ace the game without stress or trouble:

• Go slow and have patience. If your dog fails to understand your commands in the beginning, do not shout at them or punish them as they may start associating the game with bad feelings and may never get interested in playing it.
• However cool-minded and cooperative your dog is, they may get overwhelmed with the training sometimes. Call it a day if you find your pooch uninterested and start with training the next day.
• Evaluate your dog’s preferences properly while selecting the fetch toy and go with their favourite one. If your dog still does not get encouraged with the fetch toy, try using a treat toy and fill it with your fur baby’s favourite treats. The aroma of the delicious treats will lure your nonchalant pooch to grab the toy to get the snack.
• Do not take your canine companion directly to open places for the fetch game. Train them first in enclosed spaces to keep them safe and focussed.

To conclude

Fetch and retrieve is the most entertaining and physically and mentally stimulating game for dogs. Though a majority of canines like the game, they need to learn how to play it in order to enjoy it thoroughly. Follow the steps mentioned in this article to let them get engrossed in the fun-filled play.