How can I teach my retriever puppy the rules of fetch?

Is this podcast designed to teach and dog to fetch when they have no inclination to fetch?

Should I play ball fetch with my hunting puppy?

Stuff you’ll need:

• Long line
• Two identical fetch toys
• Food
• A hungry retriever puppy

A few different fetching situations (we’re dealing with situation #3)

1. A dog that has no interest – starting the conditioning with picking up a toy etc. A little pain staking
2. A dog that’s actually going to hunt – there’s a specific protocol for that but if you’re going to hunt in all likely hood you’ll probably have a hunting kennel you’re working with and they’ll take you through all of that.
3. A retriever (could be a border collie, GSD, etc.) A dog that likes to fetch and chase the ball but doesn’t know to bring it back – essentially doesn’t understand that rules of fetch.

There are 2 phases in this exercise:

1. The food phase (pup’s on a long line)

• Get your pup excited – tease and lure with the ball
• Associate the “fetch” cue with throwing the ball
• Cue “bring it up” as soon as he picks up the ball and lead him back with the line, and back up away from him
• Once he gets to you, place a treat right on his nose and say “drop it”
• As soon as he drops it, grab the ball as you give the treat.

2. The toy trading phase

• Same protocol as above except once he comes back you stick the treat to his nose and begin waving ball number 2 in front of his nose.
• Give him the treat for dropping ball 1 and then excite him with ball 2 and throw it.
• Gradually, begin teasing with ball 2 and see if he’ll drop Ball 1 to fetch ball 2.
• Note: be sure to cover ball 1 with your foot so it’s no longer an option to pick up

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Let me know how your fetching goes with your puppy.

All the Best,