How to Train your Dog to Fetch

We have read a lot about how dogs can run and fetch things you ask them to. Can your dog pick up a single item lying on the ground (or within his reach) and hand it over to you?

That will be explained here in a simple step-by-step manner. This skill comes in handy, especially for therapy dogs.

Teaching a dog to fetch, in this manner, is made up of a chain of tasks. Using a clicker for training is very effective. This training is based on the principle of positive reinforcement. You can use a toy clicker, a box filled with marbles, or whistle to extract the best behavior you want of the dog. You click (make a sound) and give the dog a treat to convey to the animal that he did as he was told.

First you have to train him for the word "Come"

You and the dog should be in the same room
Hold a couple of his favorite biscuits in your hand
Facing him, walk a few steps backwards
Mention his name. Say, for instance “Fido, come!”
Click and reward as soon as he advances towards you.
Move further away and ask him to come to you across a longer distance.
Ask him to come to you, when you are in a different room

The next word you have to teach him is "Thank you"

Put a rubber ball in the dog’s mouth, so that he holds it lightly.
He will spit it out immediately.
Click and give him a treat every time he spits the ball out.
Do this about 2 dozen times
Maybe your dog is thinking, "Put down the ball and get a treat? Cool!"
Now start saying “Thank you!” every time he puts out the ball
If he puts out the ball before “Thank you”, do not reward him.
The correct sequence is 1. Saying "Thank you". 2. Clicking 3. Rewarding

Now you have to teach the dog is "Hold"

Increase the length of time the dog keeps the ball in the mouth.
In the beginning “Thank you” was said quickly. Now put the ball in his mouth; wait for a few seconds before you say "Thank you"
A dog becomes clicker oriented quite soon - he will not drop the ball until you say the word.
When he starts holding the ball for 5 seconds or more praise him well, saying “Good Hold!” and then say, “Thank you”.
Combine the “Hold” and “Thank you” commands and repeat actions until the dog knows when to hold the ball and when to give it to you.
Click and reward every single time, but only if he gives you the ball on hearing “Thank you!”

The last command in this chain of activity is "Take". This is how you train the dog for it

Throw the ball a few yards and say “Take”
Click and reward every time he picks the ball
Repeat until he knows the word well

Now you have to use all four commands to make the dog "Fetch".

First of all, you should place the ball a few yards away.
Give him the "Take" command
Now the “Hold” command
Give him the “Come” command
Now say “Thank you”
Give the four commands one after the other
Click and reward for “Take” , “Hold”, “Come” and “Thank you” performed together

Ensure that the treats you offer now are really special! After all, your dog has just learned to perform four tasks on cue. Make him perform the tasks several times to make him "word perfect".

Once the dog is familiar with the cycle of tasks he will know exactly what to do when you place the ball far way. Now say "Fetch" and reward him when he completes actions for "Take", "Hold", "Come" and "Thank You". In no time the dog will learn "Fetch = Take + Hold + Come + Thank you"! He will do the fetching either for "Fetch" or for the four words you initially taught him.

The commands have been described in the order that is convenient to teach. However you can alter it to suit your training schedule. Your patience and good humor will be a significant contribution towards the success of this exercise and for making your dog a really "fetching" canine!

By: Muse
Published: 11/19/08

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5 Posted Comments:

good article

@ 10:40 am 11/19/08 by Shobha

I liked this article. It is concise and crisp. No unnecessary words. It handles all the topics in a sequential manner which will be beneficial for first time dog owners who're trying to train their dog.

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@ 11:00 am 11/19/08 by Topper

Well I certainly got a chckle or two out of this one...especially the part about making sure you and the dog are in the same room...
Thank you is two words by the way.

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nice info

@ 11:02 am 11/19/08 by B Nelson

Good info - liked the positive reinforcement. Only thing I would add is that most dogs respond well to soft treats better than hard biscuits because they can eat them quicker without looking for crumbs on the ground too. Other than that it was excellent guide. Very helpful for people who are fighting with their dogs over "dropping" the toy

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@ 1:48 pm 11/19/08 by Lindsay

Well, lots of dogs are just natural retrievers. My mutt brings back anything! However, I have not taught him the "hold" command. I am working on this with him and it will take some time. I will use these tips.

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@ 6:48 pm 11/19/08 by Vasantha

This article makes training the dog to fetch so simple and easy. This training could even forge a special bonding especially between the dog and the children.

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