Share

cover art for YNP #059: How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch

Your New Puppy: Dog Training and Dog Behavior Lessons to Help You Turn Your New Puppy into a Well-Behaved Dog

YNP #059: How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch

Ep. 59

Fetch it the one game we all think of when we talk about playing with our dog.  So it's easy to forget that we have to teach them how to fetch.  

We have the picture in our mind of our dog running across the yard or park to get the ball and bring it back.   It's so clear to us that we try to jump right there with our dogs!  But the reality is, our dogs have no idea what the rules of the game is...yet!

To teach your dog to fetch first you have to make it SUPER EASY so they know what we want from them.  For fetch that means we have to start with super short distances in a small space.  Then build them up from there!

The catch (hehe) is some dogs with take to the game like it's the best thing since sliced bacon, others may never take to it all.  To really know the difference take it slow to make sure they know how to play!

In this episode I talk about:
  • Where we go wrong when teaching your dog to fetch.
  • My fair warning about teaching fetch (curiously of my old dog Chance).
  • Tips on how to start to teach your dog to fetch.
  • How to handle when you dog wants to play chase or refuses to bring it back. 

Press play and enjoy!

Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:

11 activities to do with your dog

YOUR Perfect Puppy: 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

The post YNP #059: How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch appeared first on Playtime Paws.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 1. dogs

    02:45||Season 10, Ep. 1
    the wolfpack they were factors that help other dog and wolfs the wolfs started at a zoo that was bad to them so they run away then they found a wods that is were they stay for year.
  • 60. YNP #060: Kids and Puppies

    18:09||Ep. 60
    When we imagine kids and puppies we think that they go together like peanut butter and jelly (or my preference - chocolate). The reality isn't so sweet.  Your puppy and your kids LOVE each other.  But sometimes it's that same love and excitement that causes scratches, tears, and a disheartening relationship.When we have kids and a puppy in the same house it takes a lot more management and referring than most expect.  We can have that amazing relationship that we imagined when you got the puppy for the kids, but it does take some work to get there.  Be sure to check out all the resources below that I mention throughout the episode. In this episode I talk about:What the kids/dog relationship looks like vs what we imagine.Why there can be more tension with the kids than with adults.My recommended house rules for families with young kids.Other tips to manage and make sure the puppy and kids stay best friends. Press play and enjoy!Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:The Family Dog: One of the most powerful videos about the kid/dog relationship and why we need to respect it.  If your puppy is ever going to have contact with kids, watch this 2.5 minute video.Rover Round Robin: Instructions to a fun, structured, family game that also reinforces recall.11 activities to do with your dogThe flirt pole: Found under toys section of my recommended supply list.  YOUR Perfect Puppy: 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. The post YNP #060: Kids and Puppies appeared first on Playtime Paws.
  • YNP 2020 Sign Off: A Look Back and Look Forward

    07:58|
    Debbie here!  I just wanted to jump into your podcast feed one more time this year.  First I want to thank you, my listeners once again for being a bright spot in an otherwise stressful year.  I also thought it would be fun to take a look back at this year's most popular episodes and also talk about what's to come in 2021.No training advice in this one.  Just a little conversation between us humans.  Press play to listen!Resources mentioned and related to this episode:YNP #046: Puppy Biting and Why You Might Still Be StrugglingYNP #050: The 3 Most Common Leash Training QuestionsYNP Episode: How to Prevent Separation Anxiety During Stay-at-HomeYNP #053: Tips to Introduce Your Dog and Cat YNP #051: How to Get a Stronger Recall Press play and enjoy!Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:The Not-So-New Puppy WorkshopYOUR Perfect Puppy: 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. The post YNP 2020 Sign Off: A Look Back and Look Forward appeared first on Playtime Paws.
  • 58. YNP #058: How to Recognize Appropriate Dog Play

    17:00||Ep. 58
    When you are new at watching dogs play it can be confusing and even a bit concerning.  Dog play is "play fighting" so if you haven't made a career out of knowing dog body language it's easy to get concerned even when dogs are having a grand old time. To make it harder sometimes two dogs play, are having a good time, but it's still inappropriate play and we might want to ask them to take a break.Learning dog play and dog body language is like learning any new language.  It takes study, time, and a whole lot of practice. You aren't going to learn everything in one podcast episode.  But as dog parent we do want to have a "conversational dog" understanding.  My goal is to give you more confidence when your pup is playing to know if they are having a good time and let them have at it or if it's time to break it up and let it rest.  In this episode I talk about:Signals that two are playing and having a good timeWhat to do when you think one dog is not playing niceWhen two adolescent dogs play roughWhen it's OK to give them a breakWhat to do if you are not sure (when in doubt)A word about dog parksPress play to listen and enjoy! As promised, below are a couple videos to demonstrate some of the signals and signs I talk about inside the episode.  Pauses in PlayIn the video below, you can see how Sandi and Zorro pause periodically during their play session (or as I describe it inside the episode (play, play, play, pause).  Periodical pauses in the play is a good sign that everyone is having fun and respecting each other's boundaries.  SneezingHere, the play looks very concerning with all the snapping and teeth showing.  But listen for the quick little sneezes. Those are a clear sign that it's play.  Silly but true! No Pauses and Increased ExcitementIn this video keep a close eye on Bromley (the small dark brindle puppy).  Notice that Bromley isn't taking any breaks and by the end she seems to be getting more and more excited.  Ollie (the larger white dog) is being very gentle and patient (which is great) but this is a time I might stop the play for a minute or two to give Bromley a chance to settle and then let them play again. Loose and Curving Body LanguageThis last video is more subtle.  Watch how Lucy (black and white) and Ollie (white) have very loose body language.  They curve their bodies toward each other a lot.  Also notice how they always approach each other from the side (chest to shoulder or side to side) rarely straight on (head to head).  This is ideal dog play.  Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:YNP #013: Dog Park vs. Dog Daycare YNP #034: Introduce Your New Puppy to Your Current DogYOUR Perfect Puppy: 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. The post YNP #058: How to Recognize Appropriate Dog Play appeared first on Playtime Paws.
  • 57. YNP #057: How to Teach Your Dog to Listen With Distractions

    08:42||Ep. 57
    If your dog listens to you inside your house that doesn't mean they know what you want outside on their walk.  Even if you are asking for the same thing.  Dogs are very contextual and need to be taught how to listen even when there distractions.  The good news is, if your dog listens to you in your kitchen then you already know how to teach your dog to listen with distractions!  If you want your dog to listen to you in a new environment you have to reteach them the same skill like they have never learned it before.  Then it's about practice, practice, practice.In this episode, I talk about how to teach your dog to listen with distractions!Press Play and enjoy!In this episode I talk about:How to think about distractions.Practice, practice, practice.How to know when to increase or decrease the distractions.How to prepare for the unexpected. Press play and enjoy!Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:YNP #054: How to Use Training Treats Properly YOUR Perfect Puppy: 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. The post YNP #057: How to Teach Your Dog to Listen With Distractions appeared first on Playtime Paws.
  • 56. YNP #056: Potty Training for a Working Household

    07:39||Ep. 56
    How do you handle potty training when all the adults in the housework full time?  This is a question I get asked a lot.  Mainly because my listeners know I do not like the use of potty pads (for more on that, check out Episode 009).  If you are going to be out of the house longer than your puppy can hold regularly, how do you handle that without using potty pads?  My short answer is "get help!"  I know, it’s not what you want to hear.  And you may think, “wait, SO MANY people have dogs and work, how do they do it?”  I address that too.At the very least I highly recommend working out a schedule to give your pup potty breaks - which might mean getting help from a sitter, neighbor, or friend - until at least 6 months (longer depending on your dog).  That is the minimum age a puppy can be left alone for an extending period.  I think it’s of great benefit for both you and your puppy to go beyond that and I explain why in this episode.  Press Play and enjoy!In this episode I talk about:What I mean by a working household.Why I highly recommend you get help instead of using potty pads.Why it's about more than potty training.Remember you have a puppy not a dog (yet). Press play and enjoy!Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:YNP #009: Why Indoor Pads Should NOT be Used When House Training Your PuppyYNP #014: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part One FacilitiesYNP #015: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part Two Pet Sitters YOUR Perfect Puppy: 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. The post YNP #056: Potty Training for a Working Household appeared first on Playtime Paws.
  • 55. YNP #055: Three Important Skills to Teach Your Puppy From Day 01

    16:40||Ep. 55
    There are SO MANY things we need to train our puppy when we bring them home.  It's really easy to get overwhelmed or focus on the wrong things.  In this episode, I talk about the three most important skills you can teach your puppy.  Start these skills from day one and you will reap the benefits for years to come.  The three skills I talk about are:Being handled (beyond being picked up and petting)Getting their attentionImpulse control (AKA frustration tolerance)In this episode I talk about:What these skills are.Why they are so important.How you will benefit for years to come.Where to start when training your puppy these skills. Press play and enjoy!Other resources from this episode:YOUR Perfect Puppy: 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. The post YNP #055: Three Important Skills to Teach Your Puppy From Day 01 appeared first on Playtime Paws.
  • 54. YNP #054: How to Use Training Treats Properly

    13:10||Ep. 54
    Does it feel like your trainer just tells you to stuff your dog's belly full of treats and say then they're trained?  Treats are an essential tool to raising our well-mannered dog but the lesson on HOW to use the treats properly gets lost.And we really want to avoid that place where your dog will only listen if you have a treat in your hand.  In this episode I talk about:Why we use treats.What's the difference between high value and low value treats (and when do we use them).How to know when to come away from the treats.How to ween your dog off the treats but still have a dog that listens. Press play and enjoy!Other resources from this episode:YNP #031: Reward Your Dog Without Treats  The post YNP #054: How to Use Training Treats Properly appeared first on Playtime Paws.