Why do dogs fetch things

Even if it once was fun, your dog can lose interest. The dog will pick up the toy, but not bring it back. To teach your dog to fetch , White offers the following pointers: Take it: First, encourage your dog to move towards a toy and reward that first step with whatever your dog likes best verbal praise, treats, or physical contact.

Once your pup accomplishes this, you can start increasing the distance between them and the dropped item. Why Toy Drive Matters To figure out which type of activities your pet really enjoys, White suggests paying attention to toy drive when you play with your dog.

Scent Work —this one is all about the love of the sniff, where your dog will have to do some detective work and sniff out a variety of scents and substances. Agility — a race against the clock while completing an obstacle course. If the answer is yes, then this is the e-book for you! AKC Privacy Policy. Those puppies would then pass their inherited skills down through their family tree.

And, of course, chasing and retrieving are two of the components of a successful game of fetch! It just feels good to do it. Same is true for dogs. Unlike behavioral training, say, where most dogs will start without any knowledge or skill on how to respond to your commands, fetch allows them to flex their skills and be praised while doing it.

This makes them feel good and will naturally encourage them to keep playing. Same is true for dogs. Above all else, dogs are getting what they want the most: undivided attention. Verbal and physical rewards, and maybe even a playful roll in the grass with their human companion, are added bonuses. It's Make sure you use a toy like a ball, rope, or frisbee rather than some nasty stick that you found in the woods. Vets have recently been urging dog owners to be aware of the serious injuries and health complications that can result from your dog chasing and chewing on wood.

Fetch on, motherpuppers! Hope Bobbitt 6 years ago. Theme Reveal Newsletter Signup Each month we'll send an email that shows the wild and adventurous theme of our newest Super Chewer box! Send Me Toy-filled Emails! By checking here, I agree that BarkBox may send me promotional e-mail messages with offers, updates and other marketing messages.