hi all
I know this sounds really dumb, but how on earth do you teach a puppy to fetch? We have had a pup for 2 months and our kids have taught him all the basic training,sit,stay etc. He adores the kids and loves to play with them. They have tried teaching him but their methods fail, and I have looked in all our puppy training books but can find nothing.
Can anyone tell me how they trained their dogs to fetch? I know what a bunch of experienced dog owners you all are.
thanks,
Kym

Not a silly question at all! it can be surprisingly difficult to get some breeds to fetch, particularly those that were not bred to retrieve anything. I teach mine this way:
Find a small container (depending on the size of pup), I use something like those tubs you get vitamin supplements in. Fill it with treats which will rattle. Call the pup to you & rattle the tub. Give him some treats out of the tub until you're sure he knows where the treats are coming from. Also have some treats in your pocket. Start to encourage him to hold the tub in his mouth. Even if he only holds it for 1/2 second, reward him with a treat from your pocket. Start throwing the container (even if it's only 6inches) & encourage him to pick it up. Reward him even if he only mouths it. Keep encouraging & treating & he'll soon get the idea.
Good luck.
PS don't leave him alone with the tub or you'll find it destroyed & the treats gone!

Its not just breeds that weren't bred to retrieve - my 7 month old retriever doesn't retrieve or fetch anything - not even balls. Yet my collie has been fetching balls since we got her - no teaching involved. Dogs can be wierd!

My mums young Pomeranian is one of the best retrievers I've ever met. She loves running around with her toys and bringing them back to you. She goes to the basket where all the dogs toys are and always picks out her own. Such a joy after having Spanish who love retrieving but torment you by standing just far enough away for you not to be able to get hold of the article:d

And then there's my dog ( and my last one lol) who definately understands the concept of 'fetch' - does it all the time in the house, but absolutely refuses when outside - even with a favourite toy!! The attitude is definately "if you don't want it then I'm not going to bring it back" . My last dog was given to burying balls that were thrown for him. :rolleyes:

Interestingly if there is another dog fetching my terror will go along for the run (and usually get there first) and then wait for the other dog to pick it up and then race back. Wierd!

Makes you realise how little we understand what goes on in their minds. My older dog is obsessed with frisbees, he'll retrieve till he drops. The other dogs also chase the frisbee but they are not allowed to touch it - it's his, so all they can do is chase it. If they get there 1st, they hover over it, but don't dare pick it up. I can understand that, but I can't understand this. My oldest bitch is just learning retrieve (a bit late in life). I practise in the dining room which has 4 doors off it. If the retrieve article lands in the dining room, she'll fetch it. If I throw it into the kitchen, she won't go after it, if I throw it into the hall, she won't go after it. just hovers in the doorway. She's never been banned from any room, so what she's thinking I can't imagine!