SESSION 58: Fetch! – Teaching your puppy the rules
In episode 58, Sean responds to a question from some listeners about how to teach your excited puppy the rules of playing fetch. These exercises are designed to structure a puppy’s fetch game. A quick note that this isn’t designed to teach fetching to a dog that has absolutely no inclination to fetch. Also, you should be a little cautious in teaching an unbridled fetch of a tennis ball or some other toy with a dog you intend to hunt with. (hunting dogs can develop some bad habits with unstructured ball fetching without also working specific rules of hunt fetching)
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In this session:
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?
Details In this Session
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)
- A dog that has no interest – starting the conditioning with picking up a toy etc. A little pain staking
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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
Get your Questions Answered on future episodes of The Dog’s Way Podcast
Leave me a voice mail and hear yourself on a future show! 1(844) 364-7929
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If we use your voicemail in the show, we’ll send you a free video training series! OR if you don’t like free stuff … Email your questions to me: sean@thedogsway.com
Let me know how your fetching goes with your puppy.
All the Best,
About the Author: Sean
I’ve been training people and dogs in Seattle for the last decade and a half. My main focus when working with clients every week in one-on-one, private lessons is to help people learn to get their dogs to a functional level so that they can actually enjoy spending time every day with their dog instead of stressing about their dog’s behavior issues.
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About Sean
I’ve been training people and dogs in Seattle for the last decade and a half. My main focus when working with clients every week in one-on-one, private lessons is to help people learn to get their dogs to a functional level so that they can actually enjoy spending time every day with their dog instead of stressing about their dog’s behavior issues.
Ask Sean a question!
If we use your question in the show, Sean will send you a coupon code for free access to the online video course!
If you have a question you’d like me to respond to on the show (and you want to hear yourself on a future episode) leave me a voice mail! 1 (844) 364-7929 or email me here.
