If you wish your dog was a fetch fanatic but instead they:
😩 chase the ball or toy and then run off with it….
😩 Or grab it… and drop it halfway back.
😩 Or stare at you as if to say, ‘what do you want me to do with that?’
This video is for you. Our play expert and professional dog trainer Chelsea will teach you how to teach your dog to fetch (and willingly give the toy back).
**FETCH IS A GAME OF THREE PARTS**
1: your dog needs to want to chase the toy.
2: your dog needs to bring the toy back.
3: your dog has to give the toy up so the game can keep going.
HOW TO TEACH YOUR DOG TO FETCH (STEP-BY-STEP):
**STEP 1** Choose a toy your dog loves. We’re using BOB, our floating, tugging, fetching dummy - but you could also use a powerball toy or a pocket tuggy, whatever your dog can’t resist. To start, you need to build your dog’s motivation and interest in the toy so that when you throw it out, they’re keen as a bean to run to fetch it.
**STEP 2** Once your dog is fully engaged with the toy and in the zone, it’s time to throw it. To begin with, don’t throw it too far. You want to limit distractions and temptations that may lead to your dog deciding to abandon the game.
**STEP 3** As soon as your dog starts to bring the toy back - let them know they’re on the right track. Even if they don’t come all the way. Use your voice, clap your hands, or move away from them to draw them in. The goal is to make coming back feel just as fun as chasing the toy in the first place.
When they get to you, celebrate! If they’re ready to share, have a tug party. If they’re not ready to give the toy up yet, that’s ok. You can work on that with our ‘Drop It’ game.
Focus on celebrating and rewarding the parts of the game your dog’s mastered. So you can create a loop your dog wants to repeat: Chase ➝ Grab ➝ Return ➝ Play again!
**TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS**
If your dog doesn’t respond very enthusiastically to any part of the sequence - propel the energy you want. Be more animated, run towards the toy and move it around. Make the toy exciting. And if your dog grabs the toy and runs off, don’t chase them. Stop the fun and stay still. They’ll quickly learn the game is way more fun when they play by the rules.
**PROGRESSING THE GAME**
Want to level up your fetch? Once you’ve nailed the basics, head over to our ‘Stay’ and ‘Fetch Fusion Focus’ videos to add impulse control and extra focus into your fetch game.
