Dogs don’t come pre-programmed to play fetch the way we want it. We have to teach it.
The most fundamental mistake most people make with fetch is placing too much emphasis too soon on the chase. That is, throwing the ball a long way away from us and therefore making it more fun to run away from us than to return to us.
When your dog is a long way off with the ball, it is easy for him to become distracted by a smell in the grass on the way back and drop the ball to check it out. From there he might come back without the ball or decide not to come back at all. Or he may get halfway back and then drop it and wait for you to go to him. Or he may turn it into a game of keep away and expect you to give chase.
Rather than running these frustrating scenarios over and over again until it becomes entrenched, the best approach is to create the pattern you want and practise it until it becomes your dog’s default.
Always play on lead for now so that he can’t run off with toys and turn it into a game of keep away (use a 5m long line or recall lead).
Start by playing for only a short period of time, make it super fun, and then call a stop to it while he’s still enjoying it so that you leave him wanting more.
Ensure you put some basic structure around it. Have a simple cue that indicates you are going to play, like “are you ready?” and one for when you have finished, like “all done” or “finished”.
Use a special “people ball”. Keep it in a cupboard so he can’t access it. Bring it out when you are going to play and put it away immediately when you have finished. This will build engagement and value in you.
Toss the ball only a short distance away (avoid him getting to the end of your longline as he’s running after the ball).
Once he’s got the ball, use the lead to encourage him to come back to you. Start moving away from him so he wants to come into you.
DON’T try to make him drop the ball or take it away from him straight away. If you try to take it, he may be less likely to bring it back next time, or he may resist letting go.
Let him celebrate his achievement. Tell him he’s such a good boy, cheer him on. Let him run large circles around you, like a horse on a training line.
When he’s done celebrating, he’s most likely going to drop it, or at least let you take it.
Then start again. Keep repeating until he regularly comes back without you having to use pressure on the lead.
Once he’s got the basics down pat, you can start to throw it further.
Playing in a way where you both know the rules, helps you to bond with your dog and makes you an awesome trustworthy human in their eyes.
It's much more fun to play the same game, instead of each trying to play your own version of the game and feeling disconnected.
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