How To Teach A Dog To Fetch | Chewtorials

Ready to teach your dog the classic skill of retrieval? Follow these dog trainer-approved tips to teach your dog to fetch.

You Will Need:

✓ An enclosed, small space
✓ A ball or toy
✓ 15 to 20 minutes per day

How to Teach a Dog to Fetch

When learning how to teach a dog the fetch command, consider every step a teaching moment. Follow these steps in your training sessions, encourage your dog along the way, and remember that playing fetch is all about having fun!

Step 1: Start in Enclosed, Small Space

Stay in an enclosed space—like a hallway, fenced backyard or bedroom—during the early days of teaching a dog fetch. Because your dog has nowhere else to go, it helps them remain focused on you and the task at hand. It also means there are fewer places for them take their retrieved object versus bringing it back to you.

Step 2: Teach Your Dog to Chase the Ball

This step is pretty straightforward. Simply throw the ball (or your object of choice) a short distance and encourage your dog to chase after it! Since many dogs are programmed to chase after a thrown object, there’s not much you’ll have to do aside from toss the toy. However, some dogs may not quite understand what a ball or toy is yet, so you must introduce it to them. Get them excited about the object by bouncing it, playing with it, and rolling it around in front of them.

Step 3: Get Your Pup to Return the Ball

Once your dog consistently chases after their ball or toy you can move onto one of the trickier parts: getting your dog to bring the item back to you. Break down the dog fetch command into three parts:

Throw. Throw the ball a short distance—like down a hallway, across a room or about 10 feet if you’re outdoors.

Call your dog back. Using a positive, excited tone, call your dog back to you, using the same word every time. That word might be “come” or “bring.”

Reward. Reward your dog with lots of happy expressions, belly rubs or a treat when they come back to you with the ball.

Repeat this process to give your dog time to learn the cue. You want them to understand that there’s a reward associated with bringing back their ball. Once your dog reliably brings the ball back to you, move onto the next step.

Step 4: Teach Your Dog the “Drop It” Command

Once your dog returns the ball to you, put your hand below their mouth with your palm facing up, and say the command, “Drop it.” Your dog will probably not understand the “drop it” command right away, and that’s OK.

Simply hold the ball while it’s in your dog’s mouth and repeat the “drop it”command until the ball is released. Don’t try to tug on it or pull it away. If your dog runs away with the ball, then try the whole process again. This takes some patience and practice, but your dog will eventually get it. Give your dog praise and a reward your dog with a treat once the ball is released without a struggle.

Step 5: Throw the Ball Again

Part of the joy of learning how to teach a dog fetch is that it’s a game. It doesn’t just end with a throw and return—the joy for your pup is having the ball or toy thrown again! Our experts recommend allotting at least five to 10 minutes of consistent play time so your dog will better associate returning the ball with having more fun.

Training your dog to play fetch is easy if you have a little patience and follow these five steps. Don’t worry if your dog isn’t interested in a ball. Keep trying out other items until you find what they are most interested in retrieving. And remember, fetch is a bonding experience for you and your dog. The most important thing is to stay patient and have fun!





#chewy #chewtorials #howto #howtoteachadogtofetch #dogtraining

[SkinwalkerShawty]

Great video. Reminds me of when I first trained my sonny boy Gus. Ahh man they grow up fast

[elementaryschooldropout]

Great job explaining. Works like a charm. TY!!!

[Mevsd-Jaxon]

What if they get something they are not supposed to have? I use "drop it" and was rewarding her with a small treat, but then she started grabbing everything and expecting a treat.

[dariakl]

It is was useful but what I should do if a dog fetches only inside? same technique?
Thank you!

[cacklebox]

My pup doesn't seem to be that interested in treats 😥Gotta keep trying more. Thanks for the video!

[dr.rozblasingame]

Thank you SO much for this engaging and effective CHEWtorial. My Peppy nailed it. #FistBump

[heartslexiee]

Could you do more videos? It's been 2 weeks since you posted Chewy, also you guys are so. Nice you always make sure to send me and my pets.. cards

[LukeSkywacko]

would it be still possible to teach this to a dog over 4 years old??

[CKArts]

Great video. However, once my dog sees the treats he is so focused on the treats he won’t go get the ball. He sits and gives me his paw over and over and isn’t getting the connection to the ball throwing.

[ll]

Thanks, my husky has knew how to fetch.

[elaineaustria]

I really loved this content. I hope I can edit one of your videos for this yt channel. ❤

[nenala]

Had a dog 13 years and never could we master this

[butterknife]

My dog did a handstand, idk if I did it rught

[mvgx]

A trainer that does not force-feed a thousand treats! And get mad if you don’t mark in 1 second.❤

[finamouse]

is it ok if i give my cat dry food he 2 month

[nenala]

My dog always brings it back but never drops it? 😕 🤔 ❓️

[smoothlakedevon]

Thank you my dog is so lazy but when he saw this he wanted to play ball.

[bluey-films]

Thanks, this was helpful! I have two dogs and they are good boys! 😊

[stephaniehickman]

I definitely have to work on this one with my pups thanks for the information it was very helpful 🙂🐶

[SerialDesgination_Blue]

Finally! I found a video to teach my puppy Luna to fetch. I love her to death but she is a bit of a troublemaker.