Fetch is a simple game that is loads of fun for dogs and their owners. Also great for your dogs mental and physical stimulation. Learning fetch allows your dog to engage with their natural instincts, and most importantly, you get to spend some quality time with your doggo.

Here’s 3 simple steps to get fetching with Fido.

3 Simple Steps to Teach Your Dog Fetch

TRAINING TIP – Encourage and praise your dog to come back to you as soon as they grab their toy.

• Establish the ‘give’ command by giving your dog his toy or ball and encourage him to swap it for a treat whilst saying ‘give’.

• Develop his threshold by increasing your distance, encouraging your dog to move towards you to ‘give’ the toy for a treat.

• Once you have taught the ‘give’ command, you can toss his toy. Naturally, most dogs will bring it back.

How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch Items by Name 

COOL FACT – Chaser, a Border Collie was able to identify 1,022 items by name.

• Begin with an item your dog already recognises like a rope or ball. Place it clearly in an area like your backyard with two foreign items like a hat or rag.

• Point to the items and say ‘find (item)’. As soon as he grabs the correct item use high pitch praise and encourage him to bring it back. Reward with a treat.

• Add another familiar item your dog knows and alternate between the two. If he chooses incorrectly, continue to say ‘find (item)’.

• Begin adding more items when your dog picks the item you ask for consistently.

How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch a Frisbee

Avoid this exercise if your dog has serious health problems, injuries or is a senior with low mobility.

• Familiarise your dog with the frisbee by letting them hold and play with it.
  
  
• Use the ‘give’ command as mentioned above to establish the return element of fetch.
  
  
• Toss the frisbee a few feet away and encourage when he looks to retrieve it. Then further praise when he retrieves the frisbee. Reinforce this until it becomes consistent.
  
  
• Develop his threshold by increasing the distance you throw the frisbee.

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How to Teach Your Dog Fetch Using Clicker Training

Retrieving with the clicker philosophy means we spotlight the correct behaviour.

• Begin by playing with a toy your dog is familiar with.
  
  
• Toss the toy a short distance away and click/treat when your dog moves towards it. If he doesn’t grab the toy, regain his interest with more play.
  
  
• Repeat these motions until your dog consistently moves towards the toy.
  
  
• Once this is mastered, increase the threshold and only click/treat when he touches the toy with his nose.
  
  
• When your dog can consistently approach the toy with his nose, move the click/treat to when your dog grabs it.
  
  
• Gradually increase the distance and use high pitch praise when retrieving and returning the toy.
  

How to Teach Your Dog Fetch With The Two-Ball Method

Much like a pop on the leash, the E-Collar works by grabbing the attention of your dog to snap them out of their thought and remind them of you.

See the video below to understand when and how to use the E-collar with positive reinforcement.