Dog Community

Teaching Fetch

Posted : 6/11/2006 3:14:54 PM

I have a 9 mo old puppy that is Border Collie, and Blue Healer. I think there's some lab in him because he's already 75 lbs. (I'm glad he's slowed down on growing) Anyway I saw a dog special that someone tought their pure border collie to idintify toys. I have a ball and a rope. I want my dog to bring the ball when I say "ball" or the rope when I say "rope" I use treats and when he brings the right one he gets praise and a treat. When he brings the wrong one I make him get the other, then give praise and treats. Is he too young for such a difficult task? Because he doesen't seem to get it. He seems to go for which ever toy he wants to chew on at that time.

Plain old fetch is another difficut matter. I throw the ball, he runs to get it and stops to smell everything when he brings the ball back. Sometimes he doesn't bring the bal at all, but lays downt o chew on it. I always give him praise and treats when he brings the ball back. Am I doing something wrong? or is this just not his game? What games are good for this kind of dog if he does not like fetch?

How do you teach him to catch a frisbee? I just throw it at him while he's sitting and say "catch" He'll catch almsot anythign you throw at him, except the frisbee. He doesnt' even move out of the way, jsut let's it hit him on the head then gives me a nasty look and goes away. Maybe this isn't his game either.

Please help or give ideas how to play with my dog to tire him out.

spiritdogs

Posted : 6/11/2006 5:07:17 PM

Is he too young for such a difficult task?

Nope, not at all. Sequoyah can tell the difference between her ball and her tug and her frisbee. She will get the one I ask for most of the time now. She's a 7 month old Aussie.
Try starting with a soft frisbee. That's what I did.
As for the retrieve, Google Lonnie Olson and backchaining and it may pop up. I taught Sioux using her method, and Sioux was a dog that wouldn't even put a dumbbell in her mouth when I started :-)

)

mudpuppy

Posted : 6/12/2006 12:11:17 PM

are you using a traditional hard plastic frisbee? can be very painful to the dog if he doesn't catch it perfectly. Try one of the soft-bite frisbees.

I'd start out with just one toy out-- the ball, say. Reward over and over for getting the ball. Then put the ball away and get out the rope. Reward over and over for getting the rope. Then when he's doing really well on these tasks, put the ball and rope down, ball much closer to him than the rope, and ask him to get the ball. Make it easy for him.

mina holladay

Posted : 6/17/2006 12:21:47 AM

i learned that my dog has a mind of his own-- and i can tell when he actually wants to play "fetch" or ball or frisby. sometimes we dont realise what a personality our dogs really have. Prince Kujo really chooses when its time to play fetch-- he will bring me the toy he wants to play with--sit and play with it alone and when i ask him to bring it so "mommy" can play too--- he ignores me (of course). but if i ask him "let mommy see" and take it and THEN throw it then say -- "let mommy see" he will bring it back--- this usually works-- and he feels like its his idea anyway so he will play till he needs water and then continue playing fetch with me-- your dog knows when you are REALLY into it-- or just trying to "tire him out" --- i am not trying to pick a fight with you i really just want to HELP.

peace.