Fetch

[gaddylovesdogs]

How do you teach a dog to fetch? Tippy is a border collie/shepherd cross and will not play fetch. I think it's because she probably didn't have any toys when she was a puppy. Sometimes if I get her excited enough she'll catch a ball, but I have to get her really hyper. I'd like her to play frisbee so that she can get more exercise, and I think she'd enjoy it, too.

[RedyreRottweilers]

Here is how I did it.

To start you will need an object that is very easy for the dog to grasp and hold. I use a dumb bell. You could use a properly sized dowel or other sort of retrieving dummy.

If you use a piece of doweling, cut it about 8" long.

Get ready MANY MANY pieces of some reallly tasty sort of bait, cut into small pieces.

You will also need something to mark the behavior with. Some people use a clicker. I use the word "YES!"

Make sure you have something cool to drink, and something you like on the TV. :D

Sit in your favorite chair, with the treats nearby, and the dowel, or dummy, or dumb bell held between your knees. Wait for the dog to come close to the object. Set a target distance of say, 6". When the dog reaches this target distance, mark the behavior, and treat.

The dog will, guaranteed, approach this area again sooner than later. Again, mark and treat.

Every so often, say, for example, every 3 or 4 "marks", take a break from this activity by tossing a treat across the room for the dog to RUN towards.

Next increase your criteria for the behavior by requiring that the dog touch the object to get a marker. Once the dog gets to this point, things usually progress quickly.

Keep this training up ONLY as long as the dog is interested in playing. This varies from individual dog to dog.

Once the dog understands that touching the object gets him a mark and a treat, wow, the game is on. This becomes SO MUCH FUN for the dog, because he feels he is controlling his rewards. (And in a way he is, isn't he?)

Then once again, you withhold when the dog touches the object. NOW you want the dog to touch or lick the BAR of the dumb bell. When a dog reaches a new level and moves up this behavior closer to what you are looking for, you can JACKPOT the dog, and give him several rewards at once.

As you practice marking behaviors and rewarding like this, gradually increase your criteria until the dog is holding the object as you gently release your knee pressure.

Use NO negatives. An exception is a very gentle, mild plain voiced "ah ah" if the dog needs a bit of help away from some behavior you don't want.

When you get to the point the dog is firmly holding the object, you can then start placing it on the floor near your feet.

Now all this time about every 3 or 4th reward, you've been throwing a treat for your dog to run out for. Did you realize you were going to LINK this running after the treat behavior to the dumb bell? :D

Once the dog is picking up the dumb bell from the floor, and happily delivering it to your hand, you can start gently sliding it across the floor and rewarding the dog for fetching it. Most dogs RAPIDLY progress to running and fetching things you throw with delight.

The last 2 dogs I trained using this method were RUNNING and fetching by the end of the 4th session.

:D

[gaddylovesdogs]

Thanks, I'll try that with her soon!! Something new for her to try, she is such a smartypants.

[jess2416]

As silly as this sounds I didnt have to teach Chloe to fetch, she did it from day one I am guessing from instinct...and she does bring it back to my hand 95% of the time

[gaddylovesdogs]

That's how it usually is for my lab, and sometimes my terrier mix (who really prefers tug). But Tippy is just not a toy dog. I highly doubt she had toys when she was puppy, so she has no idea that she's allowed to play and have fun with them.

[PWCorgi]

Izzy and Frodo fetch, because they are selfish that they know if they don't get the toy, the other one will and then they won't get the praise when they bring it back, lol.

[MomOf7]

Can you get her to chase things?
Take a long pole with a favorite toy and run around dragging it behind you or next to you and have her chase it. Make it fun! Stop right when you see her having the most fun and put the pole up. You want to leave her wanting more.
Do this everyday for about a week. Sessions should only be 5 min-10 min. Always put up the play pole on a good note and during the most fun.
This will get up her drive for prey. I know she isnt a lab but this is the only way I know. It should work for your dog too.
After a week if you see she is still excited about that toy take it off the pole bring it inside the house and in the hallway close all the doors and sit or kneel at the end. Get really excited almost goofy like flipping the toy around and roll it down the hall. Dont toss it at this time just roll it. When she chases it get really really excited clapp your hands and call her back once she has it in her mouth. Keep being excited and move backwards but still facing her if she still has it in her mouth. Only take 2-3 steps then take the toy and do it again. If she doesnt pick it up just go get it act real excited flipping it around and try it again. Eventually she will pick it up cause she will see how much fun it is for you and she will want to be apart of the fun. Make these sessions only 5 min and leave her wanting more. Always put that toy up after each session.
Good luck
Kristine

[gaddylovesdogs]

Normally no, I can't get her to chase toys. If she sees a squirrel or something, she'll take off, but I can tease her with a ball and then throw it, and she'll watch it land on the ground and then look at me like, "Okay...soooo...what're we doing?" Maybe I'm just not trying enough to get her into prey drive.

Thanks for the suggestions you guys!!! I'll see what works for her and let you know. Maybe get a video of it :)

EDIT: That's the little booger in my avatar.

[MomOf7]

If she likes rodents or things of that sort find one that is stuffed or find skins or feathers to put on the end of the pole..Whatever seems to catch her attention. If she does like chasing things then she will like the pole idea

[Mordy]

Back chaining has worked well for me.

http://dogscouts.com/retrieve.shtml

[gaddylovesdogs]

Thanks :)! I'm going to work with her in a few minutes.