Lets Get Tricky: Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch

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As many of you may know I’m a big fan of learning, and ever since I was a wee pup my mom has been taking me to classes and clicker training me just like my Trick Pony friends.

Since learning is a never ending adventure I’m always up to pick up a new skill, and lately mom has been helping me to perfect my fetching skills.

See I wasn’t born with those amazing retriever traits, and while I do enjoy chasing after a good toy, I’m not great about actually bring said toy back! (the video above is proof of that)

Let's Get Tricky! Teach Your Dog To Play Fetch

But that’s ok, armed with a few simple tools my mom helped me learn what it means to play a real game of fetch!

What You Need:

  • Yummy Treats (These came in my Barkbox* this month, but you can also snag them in the Barkshop* with code AMMO for a special surprise at checkout!)
  • A Fun Fetch Toy
  • Something to Target (I used a scrap of mat board from the frame shop, but anything flat and large will work)
  • Clicker (not pictured, but you can snag one off amazon*)

To teach this trick your dog needs a basic knowledge of clicker training. You can check out this website for a basic tutorial on clicker training, or grab yourself a beginner clicker training book*. And they should also have a basic knowledge of how to pick up an item with their mouth.

*affiliate links

How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch:

  1. At a close distance ask your dog to touch the target with their feet. Click and reward each time their feet touch the target. If your dog doesn’t already have a cue to “target” you may have to let them accidentally walk across the target so you can click and reward them each time their feet touch your mark. Practice this close to your dog, then move the target to different spots and areas further from you to strengthen your dog’s knowledge of this task.
  2. If your dog already has a basic knowledge of how to chase an item and pick it up then you can move onto step 3 once they have mastered targeting. Otherwise you should teach your dog to pick up an item with their mouth first.
  3. At a close distance to your target toss a toy for your dog to get. Once they pick it up with their mouth ask them to touch their target again. When they hit the target WITH the toy in their mouth, click and reward. Repeat this at a close distance until your dog has mastered the idea. Continue to repeat this until you can toss the toy further and further away.

Congratulations! Your dog is now great at playing fetch the proper way (by returning the toy to you!) Much more fun isn’t it? Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

10 thoughts on “Lets Get Tricky: Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch”

  1. Oh Ammo, you are sooooo smart!!! I’ve never really worked with Misty and Rio in much training, but maybe I should start to. I know they’re smart too, especially that rascal Rio. He already knows how to pull my chain, hehe. Have a really good day, love and hugs!!! Pam, Misty, and Rio

  2. The Friesl learned how to ‘bring it back’ when they were small and cooped up in the house (rainy spring and too young to party outside) Fritz is a champion fetcher; Liesl doesn’t care much except for one toy.. the farting hippo.

  4. Maybe I could use this with my dog not to teach him how to bring it back, but how to give it to me after he brings it back! Buddy, you’ve gotta give it to me if you want me to throw it for you again…!

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