When you play fetch with your dog, you both get some exercise and have a good time at the same time. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Some dogs have an innate understanding of how to play fetch, while others do not comprehend what it means to bring back the ball. There are some dogs who will go and fetch the toy, but they won’t bring it back to you, and there are other dogs that will just stare at you with confused expressions on their faces, wondering why you keep getting rid of his toy. Because of this, training your dog to play fetch can either be a straightforward or involved process.
Choosing the Appropriate Toy for You
Dogs often have very specific preferences when it comes to the toys they use for games of fetch. Some people enjoy playing with a tennis ball, while others find that they have more fun with a specific plush toy or even a stick. You should try out a few different kinds of toys to determine which one your dog enjoys playing with the best. Just make sure not to give him anything to eat or anything that is small enough for him to swallow.
Dogs Who Refuse to Bring Their Owners the Ball
If your dog is completely incapable of understanding the notion of chasing after a toy, you will need to start from the very beginning, such as by playing tug of war with him. You can play a game of tug of war with a plush toy if you train your dog to go and get it for you. Start by engaging in a quick game of tug of war with him, and then take it away from him. Torment him by moving it around on the ground a little bit while he’s watching, and then toss it a little distance away from you. If your dog rushes to get the toy, seize it from him as soon as he does so that you may start a new and more difficult round of tug of war. If your dog prefers to just look at the toy instead of playing with it, take the toy away from him and dance around with it until he can’t resist. Repeat this process until your dog decides to start chasing after the toy on his own. As soon as you let go of the toy, he will begin to pursue it after each toss, at which point you can begin to increase the distance between the two of you.
One further method
If your dog enjoys chasing the ball but is reluctant to bring it back to you, you can try baiting and switching two toys that are identical to one another. Start off by demonstrating one of the toys to your canine companion. The dog should be encouraged to go and get the toy once it has been thrown. When he takes it, attract his attention to yourself so you may show him the other toy. Pretend as if you are about to toss it in the opposite direction by acting as if you are about to. It’s possible that he’ll give up on the first toy and move on to the next one instead. When he is about to grab the second toy, you should go and get the first one, and then repeat what he is about to do. Your dog will become accustomed to picking up a toy, looking in your direction, and running back to you if you have him perform this exercise.
Rewards
You will be responsible for determining the prize that he will receive for bringing back the ball. You can effectively show your puppy how much you appreciate his good behavior by giving him some tasty goodies that he will undoubtedly take pleasure in eating. When you first start teaching him, make sure to give him a treat after each successful retrieval. However, once he gets the hang of it and starts doing it frequently, you should reward him less frequently so that he realizes that getting treats is not the main benefit of playing fetch. When your dog has mastered the game of fetch, you can switch your focus from providing him with additional food to providing him with further praise. Be sure to give him this kind of vocal praise at each and every step of the training so that you can encourage him to continue doing it. Don’t try to take the toy from him as soon as he brings it back to you; wait a moment first. Instead, you should compliment him, pet him, and reward him with a treat. Because of this, he will have a better understanding of what the game of fetch entails.
Commands
It will be to your advantage if your dog is already familiar with the commands “sit” and “stay.” In order to teach your dog to bring back objects that have been dropped, you will need to give it the command “drop it.” This command is very useful if he likes to keep hold of the ball when he gets back to you, which is when you should use it. In the beginning, it’s possible that you’ll have to barter with your dog by offering him a treat in exchange for the ball. However, after some time, he should be able to comprehend the drop command on his own.
Safety
It is of the utmost importance that you take all necessary precautions to ensure your dog’s safety while you are playing fetch with them. Either he needs extensive training, or he has to be confined to a space from which he cannot escape. He cannot be allowed to run free. If you are at a park specifically designed for canines, check to see that there aren’t any other dogs nearby who might compete with him for the toy. If your dog is not an experienced swimmer, you shouldn’t put the toy in the water for him.
You and your dog will both benefit from participating in an activity that requires some effort and persistence, such as teaching your dog to play fetch. It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with your dog while also providing him with some fun and exercise.
