How to teach your dog to fetch and return correctly is the most challenging part in dog training. Teaching retrieving is actually easy and enjoyable, but do not expect an instant perfect performance on the first couple of occasions as that adds to too much stress, both for you and your dog. Instead, simply remind yourself that retrieving and fetching will never come natural to all pups right from the get go. But, with the right dog training tips, you can improve your dog’s behavior immediately.
As said earlier, one of the dog training tips for how to teach your dog to fetch and return correctly is to set up the ideal scenario for the activity. The idea here is to make sure that your dog has a good chance of success if he or she does learn how to do it. To do this, have the dog on a leash and lead him to the waiting puppy. Let him or her sniff the dog carefully, and then throw a treat (or something else that will distract your dog while you retrieve the object) and say “good dog!”
If your dog doesn’t do as you want, just immediately switch him or her to another toy so that the dog is confused. Your dog will soon get the idea that if it picks up the object, it gets a treat and a clicker. After that, start throwing the retrieved objects at the dog until he learns to associate fetching or returning with the clicker. Some dog training tips advocate using a clicker and treats, while others prefer to use a combination of the two.
The next step in this article is to actually teach your dog to keep the object. You need to first take hold of the object and then slowly and gradually guide your dog toward it. Start by letting the dog approach the object while you give him or her a treat. This will train your dog that approaching the object means a treat and a click sound. The next step is to point to the object and say “here” while making a clicking noise with your clicker.
This process should be repeated over again until your dog has become comfortable with approaching and returning to the object without any form of praise or reward. Once your dog has become proficient in following simple directions, start adding a little fun by having him or her to retrieve and hold the object while you give him or her a treat. Be careful when you do this. Start by only letting your dog get a reward when it is really easy to do.
Another great way to train your dog to keep the object is to record his or her performance during each training session. Keep a written log of the actions your dog does during each training session and compare your dog’s progress with his/her recorded performance. This can also be used to motivate your dog to continue doing the right things.
To further reinforce learning how to train your dog to keep the object, consider giving the dog a toy instead of a treat during the training sessions. It would be best if you could use a high quality k9 magazine instead of paper. A quality k9 magazine can not only provide your dog with fun stories about its favorite dog, but they are also more durable than paperbacks.
Another trick for teaching how to train your dog to keep the object is to make the Frisbee the distraction during the training sessions. To make the Frisbee the distraction, kneel next to it and wave the Frisbee in front of it while saying “come”. Make sure that your dog keeps eye contact with you when you do this. Be sure that your dog picks up the Frisbee each time you wave it.
