Teach Your Dog To Play Fetch In 9 Steps

- Louise Basson

Playing fetch with your dog is more than just a party trick. It is a great form of exercise and stimulation for both of you. It helps to develop concentration, and it creates a strong bond between you. Do keep in mind that some breeds have a natural instinct to fetch something, while for other breeds, such as Huskies, playing fetch is not natural.

What you will need:

1. A toy or ball

2. Treats (optional)

STEP 1: Choose an ‘interesting’ object

Choose an item that your dog really loves to play with. It can be a favourite squeaky toy, a ball or a rope toy. After the game, you need to put it away and only take it out when you want to play fetch. This way it stays interesting for your dog.

STEP 2: Get your dog interested

For those dogs who are not naturally inclined to play fetch, start off by playing with the object yourself to trigger your dog’s interest. A game of tug-of-war is a good way to start. If he is still learning to grab or hold on to the object, praise him when he mouths it.

STEP 3: Play with your dog