How to teach your dog this good old-fashioned game.
The dictionary says that “fetch” is “a game, usually played with a dog, in which a person throws a ball, stick, etc. and the dog retrieves it.” Upon further investigation, we see that “retrieve” means to “regain possession of, recover and bring back.” Why bother mentioning this? Well, it seems that many dog owners play a different version of fetch. They toss the ball, then watch as their dog stands over the ball and barks at them, or runs away with the ball.
Let's see how we can teach our dog the version where we toss a ball and our dog brings it back so we can throw it again and eventually tire the dog out while having a great time at the park.
Any dog can learn to retrieve. Of course, retrievers are naturals; however, my terrier learned how to fetch a ball to me very quickly when she was playing flyball. Did she love it? I don't think so. But she soon learned that bringing that ball directly to me would earn her a reward far greater than the game.
Taking the ball
Start in small increments. Begin with the ball on the floor. As soon as your dog shows any interest in the ball, even a sideways glance, click and treat. Do this a few times until your dog understands that you're working with the ball, then click/treat as your dog gets closer and closer to the ball. Do the training in short sessions of a few minutes, twice a day. Always start a session a few steps behind where you left off.
Now as your dog starts toward the ball, wait until she moves it and click/treat, perhaps even giving her extra goodies (a ‘jackpot'). As soon as she picks up the ball in her mouth, click/treat and have a party! The time it takes to reach this stage depends on the dog, but if you wait it out a bit, they all eventually get the idea. What you don't want to do at this stage is rush things, or get frustrated or over-train.
Once your dog is putting the ball in her mouth, you know she understands carrying it and you can move on. Roll the ball across the floor and click/treat your dog for picking it up.
Lots of dogs get to this stage. It's the second stage – when the dog has the ball and won't give it back – that can frustrate the best of us.
Returning the ball
You can try a couple of things. If you have a natural retriever that loves the game, you can wait it out. Throw the ball and when your dog picks it up and stands there, or stands over it barking, turn on your heel and walk away – it's game over. Although it's tempting to walk to the dog, pick up the ball and toss it again, you know exactly what that would mean. You'd be teaching your dog to wait for you to come and throw the ball again.
It's hard to play the waiting game, but it works very well for many dogs. If you have to go and get the ball, just pick it up and put it into your pocket. Your dog will soon catch on that the only way the game she loves will continue is to return the ball to you.
If your dog doesn't love the game, the reward needs to be adjusted. For those dogs, you can continue to click and treat for the next stages of the retrieve.
At this point, it's easy to “cheerlead” your dog, telling her how great she is: “Good dog, get the ball, get the ball, come on.” This can be confusing for dogs that are learning, and quite non-productive. Keep your instruction simple and to the point. “Yes” and treat or click/treat for what you want will help your dog stay focused.
Finalizing the process of getting your dog to bring the ball to you should be done slowly and methodically, and rewarded at each step. Toss the ball a very short distance, wait for her to pick it up, and click/treat for walking back to you. Don't wait until she arrives. The action of coming toward you should be rewarded in the early stages. As she becomes more proficient, delay the click/treat until she's closer. Start to click/treat for getting all the way to you, then up the criteria to dropping the ball into your hand. Once you've completed the steps, you can add a command, saying “Fetch,” “Bring it” or “Take it.”
Always keep the game fun and ignore any behaviour you don't like. Remember, you will progress slowly and may need to go backward a bit to keep your dog motivated. If she's picking up the ball and bringing it halfway one day, and picking it up and standing there the next, keep her in the game. Click/treat for going to the ball, then wait it out a bit. If you wait for the final results in the early stages, your dog won't be interested in the game. Resorting to frustration at this point will take all the fun out of it for both of you. After all, teaching your dog fetch should be all about fun.
