Q : How do you teach a dog a reliable retrieve ? My dogs will fetch but we have the hardest time getting the ball or toy back. How do we get them to bring it back?


A: To teach the dog you must first make sure that you keep this all positive and try not to get frustrated. If you start getting frustrated, the dog will become discouraged and won't want to do it anymore .Start by hooking the dog up to a long line, a 30 foot leash should do. Use 2 balls to keep the rotation and movement going. Get your dog focused,excited and interested on the first one, then toss it out ( make sure you are not tossing it further than the leash or your dog may take you for a ride along with him ) and command him"FETCH" or GO "GET IT"

Once he reaches the ball, and picks it up, now you start calling him or her :IE: "Buddy Come" use alot of encouragement in your voice: " C'mon, hurry up lets go" as you real him into you using the long line. As he's coming toward you, show him that you have the other ball and again get him focused on that that one. This action will usually cause them to drop the first one and then repeat the procedure of cast and call. ( toss the ball call the dog ).  Should your dog not release the first ball, take him by the collar, give a tug STRAIGHT UP, and command him "drop it" or " release" ( hold only enough pressure on the collar until the dog lets go of the ball).

DO NOT HOLD AND CHOKE YOUR DOG

RELEASE THE PRESSURE FROM THE COLLAR

ONCE THE DOG DROPS THE BALL

Make sure that you keep this game of fetch a fast paced moving activity.

Once you begin to notice that your dog is consistently bringing the ball back to you , dropping the first one and going for the second one, now you may begin to start removing the long line. 

Stay consistent, and have fun with you pet.

This article was published January 18, 2009 on Page 3 of the Sunday Sentinel