At least once a week I get a message from someone who is having issues with "fetch." For some dog owners, their dogs just don't seem to want to play fetch at all and that makes the humans sad. For others, their dogs don't want to do anything else except play fetch, and will pester, push, nip, and bark to get games of fetch to go on endlessly. And some dog owners can't get their dogs to bring the toy back; the dog happily runs out after the toy, but either doesn't pick it up or picks it up and takes off with it. A few dog owners I've talked to recently can get their dogs to bring the toys back, but they can't get them to drop the toys, with the dogs preferring a good game of tug-of-war or chase instead. Everything I mentioned represents "normal" dog behavior; it isn't abnormal for a dog to do any of those things! I mention that because one well-meaning dog owner told me he couldn't understand why his dog didn't fetch as that was what he wanted from the dog and was the "whole reason he got a dog in the first place!" While it may have been his dream to have a dog who plays fetch, not every dog will view this activity the same way.
First off, let's just clear the air. Just because you have a Golden Retriever, a Labrador Retriever, a Standard Poodle, etc. doesn't mean your dog will naturally fetch. There is genetic variability even among the retrieving breeds, plus experience plays a role as well. For example, I met a Chesapeake Bay Retriever years ago who visibly cringed when her owner tried to play fetch with her. It wasn't hard to figure out that she'd been punished for picking up items and thus figured that her owner tossing something for her to pick up was a trick of some kind and one for which she would be punished rather than praised. And even if your dog likes playing fetch, they may like the game for a few minutes at most before losing interest. For the client with the Chessie, I suggested different games that didn't trigger the negative emotions in his dog. For the dogs who do like fetch, but don't play for very long, there are things you can do to extend the game. Similarly, if your dog won't fetch at all, but you'd like them to, there are things you can do to get them a bit more interested in at least giving fetch a try.
Let's start with how to teach fetch. While most people think of using a ball to teach fetch, I'm going to suggest that you let your dog make that choice. What is your dog's favorite toy? If they like squeaky fluffy toys, then teach fetch with one of those. If they like tug toys or rubber bones, those will work too. If your dog doesn't have much interest in toys at all, try taking a fluffy or funny textured zipper-style pencil case and fill it with little treats that your dog can smell inside and investigate when tossed. Start with the toy in your hand and reward your dog with a "YES!" and a treat for touching the toy while you have it. If they'll take it in their mouth say "YES!" and reward that. Quickly get your hand under the toy so that when they drop it your hand is right there to catch it. You can say "DROP IT" or "GIVE" if you like so that they make the connection with putting it in your hand. Once they will do this, you can drop the toy near your feet and say "GET IT!" Even if your dog only touches his nose to the dropped toy, reward with "YES!" and a treat. Gradually build up to only rewarding him for picking it up and giving it to you. Once they have this down, you can gradually start tossing the toy further away from your feet. The key factor here is immediate rewards for the dog. Initially, those rewards will be the yeses and the treats; over time, the reward will be you quickly throwing the toy again. This brings me to an important point: One of the reasons dogs don't like to bring toys to their owners during fetch is that the owners hold onto the toy too long before throwing again. Say "YES!" as they bring the toy to you and throw it again immediately with a request to "GET IT" or "FETCH." Another way to keep the game going is to have two toys. When your dog heads your way with one tell them "DROP IT" as you throw the other one. If your dog will bring the toy back once and then loses interest in playing over and over again, reintroduce the treats; give your dog a treat when they bring the toy back and before throwing it again. This gives the dog a tangible reward/motivator to keep the game going. Remember too to never chase a dog who isn't bringing the toy back. Run the other way away from them and/or start playing with that second toy you have in your pocket. Guaranteed they will want to chase after you if you are going the other way, and they will definitely want the toy you have more than the one they do!
For dogs who obsess over the game of fetch, you will need to take some precautions to insure that the game is safe and under your control. Keep the toy used for fetch in a closet or drawer and only bring it out when it's time to play fetch. Do not hype your dog up by saying, "DO YOU WANNA PLAY?!" as hyping up a fetch-obsessed dog will only hype them up faster. Instead, have them sit (or lay down, wave, touch, etc.) before you throw the toy. When they return with the toy, they must drop it in your hand or at your feet and sit (or down etc.) before you will throw the toy again. If they bark at you, grab at you, or nip you to play, take the toy back inside and put it away. Game over. Keep the games short with your fetch-obsessed dogs until they learn the rules and can keep themselves under threshold. You can extend the game based on good behavior. While some dogs find a good game of tug-of-war reinforcing between fetches, many fetch-obsessed dogs just find tug-of-war a chance to become even more agitated and over the top. Don't play tug-of-war during fetch with your dog unless or until your dog has mastered self-control. Finally, don't end your games of fetch abruptly (unless the dog is over-stimulated, in which case you do need to end the game and redirect their attention to another task), rather direct their attention to another activity that runs counter to the energy of fetch. A doggie massage, a brisk walk, or a sniff session are all good ways to end a game of fetch for a fetch-obsessed dog.
For some dogs, fetch is a game they enjoy daily and continue to enjoy well into their senior years. For other dogs, health issues such as arthritis and/or dental disease can make playing fetch less rewarding. Try shortening your fetch sessions with your senior dogs, change out the toys they play fetch with so that they are lighter in weight/easier to pick up/softer on the mouth making it more enjoyable for senior pets. And for dogs who just don't like fetch at all, don't despair. There are plenty of other games you can do together to strengthen your bond and bring you both joy. Nose work games, hide and seek, chasing a flirt pole lure, and good old tug-of-war are all fun as well.
Years ago, we had a Labrador named Cinderella. She was a wonderful dog (most of the time!) but she didn't fetch and she hated water. We often jokingly referred to her as a broken retriever. What she was very good at was hunting. She could find a bird, rodent, or snake in our yard every time. She loved to forage around so hiding treats for her to find was a game she really enjoyed.. We also had a Pug at the same time we had the Lab. He loved to play fetch and do backyard agility. Go figure; he was the natural athlete between those two dogs. Now I share my home with collies. While Desi has never been interested in fetch, he does like foraging games so that's what I play with him. Ozzie loves a good game of fetch, with a tug-of-war component added in. He is one of those dogs, however, who can easily go over threshold if you play fetch for too long or he gets too excited playing tug-of-war. Once Ozzie starts spinning in circles, barking and air-snapping, the game stops and he's redirected to something more soothing like a good butt scratch or a massage, two things he enjoys immensely.
As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
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