Puppy's Life

Fetch 101

Teaching your puppy how to fetch yields many happy returns

It seems like it should be the most natural thing in the world–you throw the ball, and your four-legged friend eagerly brings it back to you. You can see the pride in his eyes as he brings you his toy—he’s basking in the sheer playfulness of time spent with you.

In some cases, that’s exactly how it works; in others, playing "fetch" may, at first, be a one-way street. And although your puppy loves hanging out with his best friend, he may need a little bit of coaching to understand the semantics of fetch. Some dogs, such as pugs, will run after the ball, grab it, look at you, and then run in another direction entirely!

"Some breeds are just going to do better naturally with it than others," says Rebecca Jones, an animal behaviorist and owner of Bark Busters in Dallas, Texas. "Hunting breeds often have no interest in playing fetch, and terriers may want to chase after the ball, but may not be inclined to bring it back."

Still, as with all new adventures with man’s best friend, persistence pays and if you keep at it, chances are your canine companion will soon be fetching like a pro.

"The thing to remember is to go slow," Jones advises. "For puppies under six months, just do it a few times, because they tire out easily. When they start losing interest, it’s time to stop for the day."

Begin teaching you puppy to fetch in very close quarters–with you only being about one foot away. Toss the ball, and as soon as your puppy picks it up, lovingly tell him or her to come to you. Staying in close quarters increases your chances of success, and you’ll have a much better chance of your puppy bringing the ball to you–instead of running away with it.

But once he brings it to you, getting him to let go may be a different story. "A lot of times, they don’t want to drop the ball, so at first you might want to offer them a [dry piece of kibble]," Jones says. "Then, as you go on, sometimes you won’t give them a [piece of kibble]."

And, finally, as Jones says, soon your best friend and you will play fetch without the added motivation of a treat.

As you move to larger spaces, your pup may be tempted to take the ball and run instead of returning it to you. In those cases, use a long lead and give a gentle pull along with the word, "come." As always, be gentle–and make sure you’re challenging your pup without wearing him out. If it’s not going well, that may be a sign you need to quit and focus on other forms of play--or just spend time cuddling up together for a nap on the couch. "If you find yourself getting frustrated, you need to stop," Jones says. "They pick up on our energy, and that actually can work against them learning."

While fetch is a fun game and a valuable technique, it’s also important for your furry companion’s mind as well.

"It’s a good thinking game for puppies," Jones says. "They have to focus, and it gives them something to do."