How to Teach Your New Puppy to Fetch and Drop

Fetch is a great game to play with your puppy once she learns how to get the object and bring it back to you. You should begin training puppies as soon as they are able, but take it slow at first, as they tire quickly. Some breeds, such as terriers, have instinctual tendencies to find prey and kill it, so they aren't easily trained. Other puppies will catch on and master the game quickly.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft chew toy
• Bite-sized doggie treat
• Leash

1. Pick a toy that your puppy likes to play with. This should be a fleece toy, soft ball or squeaky toys. Do not use anything your puppy will want to eat such as a rawhide or other bones. He probably will not be willing to give it up.

2. Start your training indoors where there are few distractions and you won't have to go very far when your puppy fails to return the object to you. If you must train outdoors, have a leash at the ready to control your puppy if necessary. Toss the toy just a few feet away and praise your puppy both when she chases after the toy and when she returns it to you.

3. Say "drop" to your puppy when she either lets go of the toy or you take it from her. Verbally praise her and reward her. You can reward her with a treat or by simply giving the toy back to her. If necessary, you may trade her the toy for a treat in order to get the "drop" that you are trying to teach. Never chase your puppy to get the toy back.

4. Use lots of praise and rewards when your puppy fetches and drops for you. He needs this positive reinforcement. Be inconsistent with your treat rewards for best results.

5. Limit your training session to 12 to 15 minutes only. Your puppy has a short attention span and will get bored easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Resist the temptation to play "Tug-O-War" with your puppy. This leads to aggressive behavior and reinforces the puppy's notion that he is the boss.