Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm trying to get an older dog trained,she knows sit,talk,and quiet,she also knows good girl and no,how do you teach a dog to fetch when thier not naturally inclined?I know classes will be suggested,but I'm broke,and I'd like to at least know how to approach it
anyone been in this situation?

I live in China and there are no training or obedience classes here so I had to train my pup just through ordering books off the internet and through articles on the net.

Mines a rough collie so her instinct is to herd which probably made the 'fetch' alot easier for me. She's my first pup so I don;t have much experience but I would just say persevere. Have something your dog is interested in and just keep throwing it further and further and I'm sure your dog will get the message eventually.

many have dogs that will play/go-get the toy but not return it, but I take it you are really dealing with a dog that isn't motivated to go even that far, so you want to break the whole process into as many small steps as possible, keep sesssions brief/fun, go back a step if any confusion arises...

you can hopefully find something the dog will hold in her mouth, like a small rope tug or tennis ring. then first step is teaching her to 'give' but you have to go back a step & teach her to 'take' on command, & there is even a step before this! You may have to start with 'touch'.

Present the toy & if she even puts her mouth toward it say 'yes' with enthusiasm & give her a treat. Repeat this until she really is eagerly touching, then you can say the command 'touch'. then gently insist she take it in her mouth. you get the picture.

depending on her attitude, like if she is used to being handled & not sensitive, you could even gently pry open her mouth by putting a bit of pressure on her lips, like you might be giving a pill. the key is to say 'yes' & treat the instant she is opening her mouth whether on her own or with your assistance.

after you are getting good results & she is enjoying this game, then you can hold the toy further away, saying 'touch' ('yes'treat')then 'take'('yes'treat)

one thing, when you do get as far as tossing the toy, you might want to have her on leash in case you need to gently pull her back to you.

you can use 'take' for the other commands like fetch or get-it, but when she does get it in her mouth, you will start on 'give' & for her bringing it back to you 'bring'

in time you can also have her 'wait' 'find-it' retrieve it from 'under' something, 'catch-it'

this is a wonderful game with many variations that I give my dogs credit for teaching me!

1 more tip (sorry) but some dogs learn from watching another dog

I've considered letting a dog friend of hers help teach,but she's the first dog I've met with no motivation,she'll play tug of war,and will flat out let me take it if I tell her to give,but if you throw it,she'll watch it go,then look at you and bark,then look at the toy,actually,she's taught some of my relitives to fetch for her,she'll get the toy,then pout at me....the former hasn't exactly helped

she has a friend though,actually the father of the puppy I'm helping medically(flea treatments,spaying,ect.),he will fetch,maybe she'll listen to him?

>>I've considered letting a dog friend of hers help teach,but she's the first dog I've met with no motivation,she'll play tug of war,and will flat out let me take it if I tell her to give,but if you throw it,she'll watch it go,then look at you and bark,then look at the toy,actually,she's taught some of my relitives to fetch for her,she'll get the toy,then pout at me....the former hasn't exactly helped
>>
>>she has a friend though,actually the father of the puppy I'm helping medically(flea treatments,spaying,ect.),he will fetch,maybe she'll listen to him?

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Here is a link to an article that should help:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1625&S=1&SourceID=47
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com