Fetch

I have so much to do every day I don’t know how I can possibly get it all done!

A game of fetch provides hours of entertainment and exercise for you and your dog. (Probably mostly for your dog.)

TEACHING SKILLS:

This fun game teaches a useful retrieve.

PRIMARY USES:

FLYBALL

Flyball is a relay race in which each dog runs down a line of hurdles, grabs a tennis ball at the end and brings it back to the start line.

OBEDIENCE

The dumbbell retrieve is a component in competition obedience.

FIELD RETRIEVING

Sporting dogs are trained to locate and retrieve downed birds. Rubber dummies are often substituted for birds in retrieving competition.

SERVICE DOG

Fetching objects is the most common skill required of a service dog. The dog may fetch a dropped item or item from the next room.

TRY IT:

1 Use a box cutter to make a 1-inch (2.5 cm) slit in a tennis ball.

2 Squeeze the ball so the slit opens and show your dog while you drop treats inside.

3 Get your dog interested in the ball by bouncing it and batting it around. Toss the ball playfully and encourage your dog to chase it. Try to get him to bring it back to you by patting your legs, acting excited, or running from him.

4 When your dog does (eventually) bring the ball back near you, squeeze it to let the treats drop out for him. As your dog is unable to get the treats out for himself, he will quickly learn to bring the ball back to you for his reward.

 

         TIP:        

Never chase your dog when he is playing keep-away. Lure him back with a treat or run away from him to encourage him to chase you. Have a second ball to get his attention.

EQUIPMENT:

Used tennis balls can be easily acquired at tennis courts. Excessive mouthing of tennis balls can lead to tooth wear, so if your dog is a chewer, switch to a rubber ball. Choose a ball that is big enough that your dog cannot swallow it and soft enough that it will not break his teeth if he catches it midair.

BUILD ON IT:

Disc Rollers page 118

Flyball Fetch page 146

Flyball Fetch

TENNIS BALLLLLL!

It’s high-energy excitement as your dog races to trigger and retrieve a ball from a flybox.

TEACHING SKILLS:

This game builds coordination and retrieving skills.

PRIMARY USES:

FLYBALL / FLYGILITY

In the sport of flyball (and also in the lesser-known sport of flygility) the dog hits a flybox to trigger the release of a tennis ball which he carries to the finish line.

TRY IT:

1 First, teach your dog to Fetch (page 144). Toss the tennis ball toward the flybox and have your dog “fetch.” Some dogs enjoy fetching, but most dogs will need a treat as a reward.

2 Next, push the ball into the flybox hole. Start your dog from at least 10 feet (3 m) away and enthusiastically send him to “fetch!” If you send him with a lot of energy, he will hopefully jump forcefully on the box and trigger the ball’s release.

3 If he is not triggering the ball, you are going to have to trigger it for him. Stand close to the flybox, and when your dog touches the flybox at all, press the board with your foot to trigger the ball’s release. Praise your dog excitedly so that he thinks HE triggered the ball.

4 Gradually increase the distance so your dog gets to run at top speed to trigger the ball.

 

         TIP:        

The trick to teaching this game is to get your dog very excited and running very fast, so that he jumps on the flybox board with enough force to trigger the ball. If your dog scratches at the hole, simply bring him back and try it again.

EQUIPMENT:

A flybox is a slanted box that holds a spring-loaded tennis ball. When the dog hits the box with his front paws, the tennis ball pops out.

BUILD ON IT:

Disc Rollers page 118