Playing fetch is a fun and interactive way to bond with your puppy and provide them with some much-needed exercise. It’s also a great way to teach your puppy basic obedience skills, such as bringing an object back to you. Here’s how to teach your puppy to play fetch.
Start with a small, lightweight object
Choose an object that’s easy for your puppy to pick up and carry, such as a small ball or stuffed toy. Avoid using heavy or sharp objects that could be dangerous for your puppy.
Show your puppy the object and encourage them to take it
Hold the object in front of your puppy and encourage them to take it in their mouth using positive reinforcement, such as praise and treats. You may need to gently hold the object in your puppy’s mouth and release it to help them understand what to do.
Practice the “drop” command
Once your puppy is comfortable taking the object in their mouth, start teaching them the “drop” command. Hold the object in front of your puppy and say “drop” while gently wiggling the object. When your puppy drops the object, reward them with praise and a treat.
Practice throwing the object
Once your puppy is comfortable taking the object and dropping it on command, start practicing throwing the object. Begin by throwing it a short distance and encouraging your puppy to retrieve it. As your puppy becomes more comfortable with the game, you can gradually increase the distance.
Add a recall command
To make the game more interactive, teach your puppy the recall command, which is the “come” command. When your puppy brings the object back to you, say “come” and reward them with praise and a treat. This will help your puppy understand that they should bring the object back to you after fetching it.
By following these steps, you can teach your puppy to play fetch and enjoy this fun and interactive game together. With practice and patience, your puppy will soon be fetching like a pro!
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