It's fun to play games with your dog. Some dogs need a job to do or to have an outlet for their energy and athleticism. Kids often want to play with the dog, but aren't necessarily very skilled at holding them accountable to obedience work.
So what better game than Fetch?
Teaching Fetch: Fetch will teach your to
run after a your dog to retreive an object that you have thrown (they see where it goes) and bring it back to you.
It's easy to get started -- but remember you must have a high level of enthusiasm yourself for playing. Your don't isn't going to know right away what the point of the game is. And if you are not having fun and get him motivated he will just look at the ball, look at you, and go find something else more fun to do. Have fun with your dog.... sometimes you have to teach them how.
One easy way to get started:
- Cut a small in an old tennis ball and drop a smelly treat inside. (Parents should do this for the kids)
- Toss the ball playfully away from you (a very short distance) and encourage her to pick it up and bring back to you. (Using a leash or working in a room without an escape route might be necessary to keep your dog interested for a few minutes).
- Motivate with your voice, patting your legs, etc to get her to return to you. Praise her from returning with the ball. Play with excitment!
- When returns with the ball, take* the ball from her and squeeze the ball to release the treat.
- Repeat several times – the dog will start to return the ball to you to get the treat
- Begin to add a cue word as you toss the ball -- “go get it”, “fetch”, “retrieve” – whatever you want your cue word to be, just use the same word all the time.
- Begin to add a cue word as you take the ball or as she drops it – “give”, “drop it*” -- whatever you want your cue word to be, just use the same word all the time.
- Once your dog really masters the concept of the game, you can use a ball without the treat in it and reward the treat from your pocket
- Then you can use other objects to send her to retrieve -- like a Frisbee or other toy.
- Advancing skills -- Once the game is understood -- increase the challenge. Ask her to sit (or down) and wait to be released to go retrieve the item – meaning she has to hear the cue word before she runs after it.
*We will provide instructions for Drop It and other games soon.
The K9 Coach
Dana Brigman, CDT, IACP, APDT
Website: www.thek9-coach.com
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The K9 Coach is a Professional Certified Dog Trainer Serving Charlotte, NC, Matthews, NC and surrounding areas.
My mission is a better life for dogs as members of a forever family.
My goal is create training solutions for the home owner, to rehabilitate dogs from shelters and rescues, and to prevent dogs from dying alone as strays or owner surrenders in shelters due to unnecessary aggression or behavioral issues.
Begin all training with a consultation with a professional trainer to be sure you're solving the right problem. Misdiagnosis can make the matters worse. Be sure that there are no medical issues at play and that your dog is not in pain, as pain can be a contributor to a new display of aggression. If you have any fear or uncertainty -- do not attempt the techniques without professional supervision.
