How to Teach a Dog to Fetch

Figuring out how to teach your dog to play fetch shouldn't be much of a problem, right? Just throw a stick or a ball and your dog will bring it back to you. 

Unfortunately, teaching your dog to fetch is not always so easy. Even though there are a lot of dogs who understand the concept of “fetch” right away, many dogs have a hard time learning the command. If you want to train your dog to fetch but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. In this guide, we’ll be going over how to teach a dog to fetch in 4 simple steps, so your dog can play fetch like a pro in no time.

• Tools to Help Your Dog Learn to Fetch
• Step 1: Start with Chasing
• Step 2: Teach Your Dog to Hold
• Step 3: Teach Your Dog to Retrieve
• Step 4: Get the Object Back
• What to Avoid When Teaching Your Dog to Fetch
• Other Tips to Teach Your Puppy to Play Fetch
• Final Notes

Tools to Help Your Dog Learn to Fetch

Before we can go over how to teach a dog to fetch, we first need to discuss the tools that you’ll need. The exact tools that you need depend on the size, age, overall physical ability of your dog. It’s a good idea to have several toys available so you can figure out what your dog likes best. The usual items for playing fetch include tennis balls, flying discs (made from soft and flexible rubber), plushies, or even a piece of rope. 

You should also carry your dog’s favorite treats whenever you’re teaching them a new command. You can use treats as a reward for when your dog successfully plays fetch, so it’s important to have treats on hand. Depending on how you prefer to train your dog, you might also want to have a clicker with you. Some dog owners prefer to use clicker training as a form of positive reinforcement, but this is optional.

Once you’ve gathered all the tools you need, then you can actually start on the process of teaching your dog to fetch.

Step 1: Start with Chasing

In order for your dog to learn how to play fetch, they first need to understand the concept of chasing. Some dogs naturally love to chase, but other dogs just aren’t that interested in the idea of running around. However, if you’re going to play fetch with your dog, they need to know how to chase. There are several methods to approach this, including:

• Motivation

Dogs love their toys and treats, so depending on your dog's motivation, you may reward them with affection, cookies, or play in exchange for successfully chasing something.

• Encouraging

Encouraging your dog can help them to reach their toys more quickly. Start with short distances and encourage them verbally. 

• Rewarding 

Reward your dog with a treat when they grab an item, and then take the toy away. After a few repetitions, toss it at a short distance. Reward your dog again as soon as they successfully fetch the toy. Repeat the method until you are sure your dog is ready to play fetch. 

Once your dog is comfortable chasing, then you can move onto the next step, which is teaching your dog to hold. 

Step 2: Teach Your Dog to Hold

Sit your dog down while they face you and hold a toy in front of them. As soon as your dog shows any interest in the toy, reward them. Increase the requirements somewhat after that. For example, give your dog a treat only when they’ve sniffed the toy. Then wait until they place their lips on the toy before praising or giving them a treat.

Start to build the duration of the skill by not praising your dog as soon as they place their mouth on the toy; instead, wait for a second, and then praise and reward when their mouth is still on the toy. Slowly increase the length of time you wait until you praise and treat, adding a half-second at a time. Slowing down now will benefit you later. You can also start incorporating a verbal cue like "hold" when your dog constantly keeps their teeth on the toy for a couple of seconds before you praise and treat. 

You can start adding additional time after your dog keeps their teeth on the toy until you praise and treat them. Again, gradually increase the amount of time you ask your dog to hold by fractions of a second. You can also start moving your hands away from the toy and then swiftly return them before your dog drops it. 

Work at your dog's speed, gradually increasing the length of time they must hold. You’ll want to perform many repetitions of short holds, rather than one long one.

Step 3: Teach Your Dog to Retrieve

The next stage is to teach your dog to bring the toy back to you once they chase it down. Depending on your dog's behavior, there are a variety of ways you can go about this:

• Use a second toy to grab their attention if they don’t receive the original toy.
• Show them the second toy and toss it in the opposite way once they have "caught" the first. They are unlikely to bring the first toy with them, but it will at least get them used to returning to you after catching the toy.
• Try calling them back to you while they are holding the toy and ask them to drop it once they have gotten the hang of it. 
• In some cases, dogs like to catch the object you’re throwing and run away with it. This could be prevented by tying a rope to the item and pulling said item back as soon as your dog catches it. Repeat this until they understand that the toy needs to be brought back. 

Step 4: Get the Object Back

The most crucial portion of playing fetch is making your dog bring back the item you have thrown. You're not playing fetch if you can't convince your dog to return and drop the toy you threw at them; you are just playing basic chase. 

Before you begin, make sure your dog understands the “come” command. Say "come" to your dog as soon as they pick up the ball in their mouth when you're playing fetch. Encourage your dog to return to you by speaking to them in a positive tone and rewarding them. 

Ultimately, when your dog is fetching, you want them to drop the object on cue. This is the easy part. When they're consistently holding the object, you show them a treat and they drop the item to take the treat. 

If your dog is having problems with this stage, you may need to increase the distance you’re throwing the toy. You may need to start tossing it a few feet away from you and progressively increase the distance. Before you continue ahead, be sure your dog can consistently return the toy to you. 

What to Avoid When Teaching Your Dog to Fetch

So now that you know how to teach a dog to play fetch, let’s go over what you should avoid while teaching them. Keep the following in mind when you’re teaching your dog to fetch: 

• Don't tire your dog out. When you play fetch, you want to make sure your dog is having fun, but stop when they start getting tired. That way, your dog will want to play more and be excited about it for the next day. 
• Ensure your dog is well-fed and not thirsty because dehydration in dogs can occur easily. If you notice your dog panting heavily, or sweating through its paws, give them some water and take a break.
• Don't get a toy that does not fit in your dog's mouth. Before purchasing, take into account your dog's age, size, and skill. Choose a simple toy for your dog's teeth to grab. If your dog is naturally good at playing fetch, choose a toy that will challenge them. If you notice that your dog is getting restless as you play, that might be a sign of dog anxiety and you should bring them to the vet to get checked. 
• Don’t criticize your dog if they’re having a difficult time understanding how to fetch. They’re trying their best and scolding them is only going to prolong the training process. It’s important to use positive reinforcement when teaching your dog how to fetch because it makes them more likely to perform the behavior again. 
• Don't let your dog get bored. Catching something and then bringing it back to you repeatedly could get a bit boring for them, so try introducing and adding new challenges to the game. Put up some mini hurdles or treats that your dog would enjoy.
• Dogs tend to dirty themselves when they play outdoors. You must know how to bathe your dog the right way to prevent any infections from bug bites or other pests. 

Other Tips to Teach Your Puppy to Play Fetch

Figuring out how to teach a puppy to fetch can be a tricky job. Here are a few tips that could help make the training process easier while allowing your dog or puppy to have fun at the same time: 

• In a small corridor, teach the "drop it" command. 

If your dog bolts and refuses to relinquish the item while you're teaching the "drop it" command, train indoors in a tight corridor to prevent a tug-of-war with the toy. There will be fewer distractions and your dog or puppy will learn to drop the toy if they have nowhere else to run.

• Throw the toy a short distance at first

Start by tossing the toy a small distance and then work your way up to longer distances once your dog gets the hang of it.

• Try using the "bring it" command

If your dog tends to drop the toy before returning it entirely, this tip will come in handy. Make a mental note of where your dog usually drops the toy and say "bring it" when they get to that spot. Then, while waving your arms towards your dog, move backward away from your dog until they begin to follow you. When your dog gets to the location where you were originally standing, call "drop it" and return to that location to recover the toy. Continue to use this strategy, and your dog should be able to get farther and farther before losing the toy.

Final Notes

Knowing how to train your dog to fetch is important for all dog owners. Not only is playing fetch beneficial for the dog, but it can also strengthen the bond between an owner and their pet. But keep in mind that patience is essential when it comes to teaching your dog any new command. To help your dog adapt and perfect the skill of playing fetch, you'll need to be patient and persistent with your efforts. 

If you need any more assistance with your pet care, including training tips, you should check out Dutch. Dutch is a reliable pet service that connects pet owners with licensed vets. With Dutch, there’s no need for you to leave your home and visit a vet clinic to give your pet dog the care it needs. From dog anxiety treatment to handling dog seizures, behavioral concerns, and more, Dutch has you covered with affordable and reliable pet care from home.