Dogs
Toy Joy and Fetching Fun!
© photo copyright Carrie Boyko
Oliver Streaks Through the Kitchen
after Scooping Up a Favorite Toy
Puppies need playtime to burn off their excess energy. Without these activities they tend to get into more mischief and cause more trouble.
We walk or bike most every morning, and afternoons include sporadic times for training, play and swimming. Tanner's favorite game is fetch; fetch in the pool is double fun.
© photo copyright Carrie Boyko
Tanner Fetches "Yellow"
for the 15th Time!
Even Fetch training is a good disciplinary tool, and one which many dogs enjoy. Your dog doesn't have to be a "retriever" to enjoy playing fetch. Teaching your dog to fetch and return a toy to you has many distinct steps, each a skill in its own. Perhaps I'll save that for another post, but suffice it to say, that learning to Fetch is excellent mental and physical activity for an energetic dog to find focus with.
Steps in Teaching Fetch:- Pick a toy which your dog is enthusiastic about playing with, and which is suitable for a fetch game. It must have enough weight that you will be able to throw it a fair distance.
- Dog must master a brief "Sit, Stay". Give verbal praise.
- Owner throws the toy and with eye contact, gives the "fetch" command.
- Dog runs to get the toy. If he runs toward the toy, give verbal praise and encouragement. If he picks up the toy, get even more boisterous with your praise.
- Goal is to get the dog to return the toy and drop it at owners feet. Praise and a treat are earned when this occurs.
- Eventually, fetch games can move into advanced disciplinary tools like:
- "Leave it" command asks dog to stay until you give fetch command, even after toy is thrown.
- Multiple toys can be learned by name and thrown. Dog is asked to fetch the correct toy by name. This game is lots of fun when your dog has an audience. He gets a chance to show off; He knows the names of his toys!
I'll bring you another post with more detail later. If you want to get started now, write to me at [email protected] and I'll help you out.
-
Dog Toy Name Games Get Tougher
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © AllThingsDogBlog.com When's Our Next Fetch Game? Last week I talked about how Tanner and I have enjoyed the game of naming his dog toys. This is particularly fun with his Fetch toys, the ones he places the highest value on....
-
Weekly Wag Wraps Up Fetch Series With Petmate Toy Giveaway
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © E. Glavin Pool Fetch is Tanner's FavoriteWell, you showed me! I didn't know how many of you out there enjoy playing Fetch with your dogs. The answer is in the entries to the giveaway of Floatimals, sponsored by Petmate....
-
Weekly Wag #4: Bond By Teaching Toy Names
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © Carrie Boyko Tanner Returns Gator and Yellow Wow, is this a fun game for your dog. And you'll find it is soon your favorite too. It's a great way to show your uncertain friends how smart your dog is. Here's how...
-
Let The Swimming Begin!
© photo copyright Carrie Boyko Xena Does HerPamela Anderson ImitationThe lifeguard is on duty, so let the swimming commence. Oliver is back in the pool now also, although not nearly as often as Tanner. © photo copyright Carrie BoykoOliver Looks...
-
Teaching Your Dog To Fetch
By Ruthie Bently You can teach your dog to fetch a newspaper, Frisbee, beer, a ball, even an egg. You can teach your dog to fetch (or retrieve) anything that is small enough for them to get a secure grip on, pick up and bring back to you. Teaching your...
Dogs