Teach Your Dog to Fetch

LoveToKnow guest colunist Wendy Nan Rees shares some tips that worked for her when teaching her dogs to play "Fetch".

My dog Senny has learned to retrieve his toys and bring them to me. This is not only a fun game, but it is great to help keep my dog's brain active and gets him moving around.

Here are a few fun tips for teaching your dog to "Fetch".

First you need to pick the word you wish to use for "go get it". You might use "fetch" or "get it", whichever word or phrase is best for you. I like to use the word "fetch". To my dog Senny, this means “go get it and pick it up”.

Start with a toy or ball your dog loves, and then throw the toy a very short distance at first. Say the word "fetch" or any word you want to use to teach. Any word will work so long it is always the same.

When your dog picks up the toy or ball, with much joy in your voice, tell him “good boy” and give him a very small treat to reinforce the command. I like to use a small piece of cheese, something Senny loves. The treat will not have to be given all the time, just until your dog has learned the trick. After that, just love and happy praise will be enough because this is going to become a fun happy game for you and your dog.

Once you have taught the word "fetch", you can go on to teach the phrase “drop it”. When your dog returns to you with the toy in his mouth, place your hand on the toy. When your dog is releasing the toy to take the treat reward for "fetch", say the words "drop it". When your dog is letting go of the toy reliably, try asking him to "drop it" without holding on to the toy. He should just drop the toy into your open hand or at your feet.

Dogs usually learn this game quickly, and now you really have a fun game to play together. The “drop it” command will come in handy for many different things. Knowing "drop it" can keep your dog safer in case you need him to drop something he has picked up that is not his or may not be good for him.

As your dog learns what is wanted from him, you can toss the toy a little farther each time. When your dog seems to understand that he needs to bring the toy to you every time you throw it and say the word "fetch", you can try doing this game at the park or beach. It is great exercise, and will also teach him to come to you more reliably.

This game can be a useful technique to get your dogs to help you tidy up their toys. Point to a toy on the floor, and say "fetch". Stand near their toy basket so that it is between you and your dog, when he approaches you and the toy is over the opening of the basket, tell him to "drop it". Tell him "good dog" and give him a tasty treat for helping you clean up the house.

When it comes to cleanup time at my house, I can get all three boys in on the game. They will all play "fetch" and bring the scattered toys from around the house, and I put them in our toy basket for another day. They love this, and I keep all toys and bones in their toy basket. They will take toys out as the day goes on, and at the end of the day we will play "fetch" and put all the toys away for another time.

Summer is a great time for extra play time, and to make your play time into a learning time is both rewarding and fun for both you and your dog.

Have fun!!

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