Have you ever wanted to teach your dog fetch but want to spend only a little money on the equipment or invest a lot of time training them? This portion will teach you how to train your dog to fetch easily and make it much more fun for you and your canine pal. Learning how to teach your dog to bring can be challenging, but the good news is that you probably need to start using the correct method. You may not know it, but you are confusing your dog into thinking he has some other job than just fetching because he’s never done it before.
Most people who’ve tried teaching him off-leash and without training methods have failed miserably. However, if you want to teach your dog to fetch but have yet to find the right way, this article provides all the necessary information. It includes helpful tips on what equipment is required, where to order such supplies, and how to teach them.
Major Stages of Fetching:
You have to begin by introducing fetch to your dog. It would help if you were patient because dogs are still acclimatizing to the new environment and trying to understand their role in this new world. Teach your dog that fetches are not only a game but something that he will be doing whenever you feel like playing the game. Also, let him know that fetch is nothing like anything else, so don’t compare these things to other things, such as eating or getting a treat. Before you even introduce fetch to your dog, you must prepare him for it. Dogs, like humans, like having a role to play in the house. Therefore, you must introduce him to fetch by letting him know that he will do something particular as a game.
1. Toys by Name:
In the intermediate stage, you need to teach your dog some of the beautiful objects by name. This way, he will learn what they are before picking one up and bringing it back to you. If you do this, chances are that he will be clear when he goes on a walk or a run with a ball in his mouth but cannot find it anywhere soon after. When you throw an object that goes off into the distance, your dog might get confused due to his instinct to follow the direction hinted at by your throwing arm. It is why he might keep running after he picks up the object and, in that case, would not return it. The trick is to teach him that following your throwing arm means going for fetch and collecting things but not bringing them back immediately.
2. Opening Doors:
It will be beneficial when you are in a place where you are unable to throw an object and your dog is standing close to a door. In this stage, your dog will learn to open doors to get the thing. It might take a lot of practice to learn this skill because he will have to overcome his instinct of not going near doors, especially those that lead outside. However, if you set up some methods to get him used to open them, he will eventually turn into a much brighter fetch dog. The critical thing to remember when teaching your dog anything is that they do not learn only by hearing instructions from their owners.
3. Start Early:
Usually, dogs are given a command to fetch as soon as they have grown past the toddler stage. So if you want your dog to learn how to bring, you should start by teaching them when they are not even that old. The sooner they learn to follow your commands, the easier it will be for them to do so later in life. If you want your dog to respond well when it is time for him to bring you an object, then make sure that the area where he goes is an open area that will not confine him too much or cause him any distractions. He is usually easily distracted, especially by his toys or those of other dogs at the park or even in front of the TV.
4. Toys:
Learning to fetch involves using many different toys, so you will have to keep these him happy should he become bored. You can use any plush toy, tie it with a string and throw it for your dog to fetch, a ball, or even stuffed toys if he won’t let go; any treat is also an all-time favourite in the world of dogs. If you need to teach your dog how to fetch with his nose, you can use different hunks of cheese or bits of banana as a reward. The most important thing is that your dog learns how to recognize your voice before he is taught the command so that he will realize it even when you are not saying anything.
5. Treats:
How to get a dog to fetch? One of the most effective ways to reward your dog is using treats. These food items can be anything from its favourite snacks such as cheese, bacon, and even ice cream for those rare occasions when you are in the mood for something sweet or salty. You will only have to use them often if you have a hyperactive dog requiring much attention. Remember that when working with dogs, ensure they are complete before allowing them to eat their treats during training sessions. The reason is that they would already feel satisfied and comfortable rather than hungry, which might end up causing mood swings and temper tantrums, making the training more difficult for you than it should be.
6. Make Him Watch and Learn:
Once your dog has learned to retrieve objects, you can start training him to turn and fetch one object right after the other. If he has been a good boy and brings you a thing of the same size or weight, reward him with a pat on the head or a high-five. Or, if it is something more significant or heavy, give him another treat that will make him happy. On the other hand, if he brings in an object too small for use, such as coinage or toys, without even looking for one, then snap his collar or leash. It will ensure that he does not think he can get away with doing something wrong and will stop him from doing so in the future. To prevent this or to see if your dog is doing it on purpose, you can also make him sit in a chair or a crate after he has learned to fetch one object.
7. The Right Fetch:
Once your dog has learned how to bring some objects back to you, he must know which are essential and which are of no use. For example, while fetching a “small” ball or toy, he would be expected not to turn around and return for the same size or weight again. It is because he could smell something behind him and realize there is a better toy or ball in the area. So it is imperative to train him to recognize your voice and the objects you are looking for.
8. The Right Age:
Your dog’s age will determine and play a significant factor in how much time it will take him to learn how to fetch. People should only train a small puppy once he has reached at least six months, while people can train an older dog with relative ease. The only problem with more senior dogs is that they usually get bored quickly and start looking for other distractions around them. So you must keep the training elementary at their first stages to avoid setbacks. When you are sure your dog can pick up objects from the ground using his nose, it is time for you to move on to the next step in his training. The next thing he will learn is how to bring it back home to you after being released by your hand.
9. Get Help From Trainer:
With the right equipment and the proper technique, your dog should learn how to fetch in a relatively short time. However, if you are trying to teach your dog off-leash in a small area, this can be one of the most challenging aspects. Having the right Trainer or professional to assist you when preparing him will help clear up any doubts or confusion he may have while performing the command. For this reason, a professional would be much more effective than an ordinary trainer because they have undergone years of training themselves, so they know what it takes to access success in instruction.
Conclusion:
Fetch is one of the essential dog training skills you will ever teach your dog. It will help you keep him from getting bored and lead to better relationships with him because he will be constantly happy and alert in your presence. In addition, it makes your life much easier knowing he is always on his toes, just waiting to return an object you throw, usually a ball or stuffed toy.
You may be interested in: The pros and cons of an office dog