Teaching Fetch

[LisaMC]

Hi Everyone!!

I'm farely new here, and just have a quick question.

I have two dogs, a 3 yr old Rottweiler, Vegas, and a 5 yr old Dalmatian, Lucky. I want to teach them to fetch outside. Both dogs will do it inside, Lucky better than Vegas. But outside, Lucky will go get it and then run away with it. He doesn't quite get that the same concept applies outside that it does inside, and Vegas could care less about the whole thing, she would rather sit next to me then try to fetch after something.

Any suggestions? Should I try to teach them seperately or together. I even tried to have a treat ready for when Lucky would bring the item back, but he knew I had them and wouldn't even go fetch anything, he just wanted the treats. (some days dogs are just too smart )

Thanks!

[SABELLESMOM]

Just from what you say, I'd get a treat sack. Toss the toy. Let him get it. And reward if and when he brings it back, ONLY! Plus a good verbal "reward!" You won't have to say a thing. He'll "get it!" pretty quickly.

As he gets the idea (a few days down the line), keepup the enthusiastic verbal reward, and every now and then "forget" the treat...say one out of 4. Gradully reduce the treats until thee are none but the verbal reward and ear rubs, etc.

All it takes it bits (1/4") of high value foods: Cheese, nuked crispy hot dog bits, leftover ham, deli meats, etc.

[LuvinNina25]

what about water fetch?

[hmeadq]

Try to build the desire in your dog for the object before asking them to fetch it. Make him want it bad...

Tease him with it, play with him with it.

We started with a tuggy toy, since he will always bring anything back if he gets a tug as a reward... Once he wants it bad enough he'll jump in the water to get it...

[Judi W]

Since you have a fetch inside, I hope you've been using a command word each time. If you have not, start now and use a reward. Let the outside stuff wait until the dog understands the command word and also reward. That will establish the habit whereas continuing to do what you are doing now simply teaches them that your request is meaningless when outdoors.

Do make sure you work each dog by itself without interference from the other either towards the fetching object nor your attention. Make haste slowly

[groupieindenial]

HI!! Welcome to the forums!!! My dog's name is Vegas too, but he's only 16 months old. Great name eh?

I would just not play anymore if Lucky doesn't bring it back. My Vegas learned quickly that fetch time was over when he didn't bring it back to me. Its no fun, when there isn't anyone to throw it. Not only did he have to bring it back to me, he has to place the item right in my hand. If not, I turn and walk away, he then picks up the toy and follows me. I tought him "touch" to give items into my hand. He used to try and push me to come to him, stopping 6 feet from me, and same thing, I would turn and walk away. He did not like that. ANd learned that to get the reward (tossing the toy) he had to earn it by bringing me the item first.

My friend's rott does the "get it from me" thing, and wants to play tug instead. He has a lousy "out" too. Do practice the "out" or whatever for drop it too, before expanding to outside fetch play.

[LisaMC]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

HI!! Welcome to the forums!!! My dog's name is Vegas too, but he's only 16 months old. Great name eh?

GREAT NAME!!! We named her Vegas because we already had Lucky, and it kind of seemed to follow a theme, and me and my then fiancee normally went to Las Vegas every year, and well, she was our Las Vegas trip that year, so another reason why we named her that.

Thanks everybody for your input, I'm going to work on this.