Dog Tricks 101: How to teach your dog to play Fetch!

July 9, 3:02 PMShowbiz Pets ExaminerLorraine Goodman

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Tiger holds a dumbbell after retrieving it

Some dogs seem to understand the game of Fetch from the moment they are born. See ball. Get ball. Return to human. Drop ball at human’s feet.

Repeat.

Ad nauseum.

Then there are all the other dogs. To them, “fetch” is an entirely different game. It’s more the equivalent of “hide and seek,” as in: human throws ball, dog chases it down, dog zooms around in circles and eventually plops ball – and self – into a putrid, soggy sludge-puddle.

Ah, the trials and tribulations of trying to be more interesting than the dirt.

But I am here to bring a shred of hope and tell you that even the most recalcitrant, headstrong terrier can learn to play FETCH the way you want it. As a matter of fact, you can even get him to bring you the morning paper, a tissue when you sneeze, or even a beer from the fridge.

For some dogs, fetching is a “gene thing.” Sarah Hodgson in “Dog Tricks for Dummies” writes, “Some types of dogs take to it naturally, some don’t. “ I suspect that why some dog-breeds actually have “Retriever” as part of their name. So, if you have a non-retrieving dog, are you stuck?

Trainer John Monteleone explained that some dogs actually have two types of “FETCH:” a ‘play-fetch’ and a ‘work-fetch.’ A ‘play-fetch’ is the cat-and-mouse – with you being the mouse – game described above. It derives from the animal’s tracking instinct. Instead of playing a game with you, the dog will take the ball, shake it, chew on it and maybe even try to ‘kill’ it.

To transform this behavior into a retrieving game, the dog needs to develop a “work-fetch.”

Start with the right equipment. If your dog perceives the item you wish him to retrieve as a toy, he will probably go straight into play-mode. So get a hold of something that you control that the dog will not be allowed to play with EXCEPT when he plays with you. A dowel or a dumbbell is perfect. A dowel is a uniform piece of wood. A dumbbell looks just like a weight you use at the gym but is also made of wood.

Next, teach your dog to “TAKE IT.” First: put your dog on leash. Then, take the dowel or dumbbell and play with it to get your dog interested: toss it up in the air, juggle it. Once he expresses interest, let him have it as you say, “TAKE IT.”
Once he takes it, CLICK and REWARD!

Next, take “TAKE IT” to the next step. Move the dowel around. Place it on the floor in front of you. Place it a few feet away. Then toss it a little further away. Every time your dog takes the proffered item, offer a treat.

Eventually, this ‘work-fetch’ will replace the ‘play-fetch’ and you and your dog will make mince meat out of many a tennis ball. But also keep in mind these FETCH pointers:

• ALWAYS throw the ball IMMEDIATELY after your dog gives it to you. No teasing!!!
• Always end the game on YOUR terms and before your dog gets bored

Soon, he’ll be playing fetch along with the best hereditary retrievers around.

And YOU will be a great deal more interesting than the dirt.
 

 For more info: Check out Sarah Hodgson.

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