How to teach a dog the “Give” command. Is it possible to teach a dog to fetch a stick? Train your dog to fetch things

According to veterinarians, every dog needs training in certain commands. Of course, for service dogs the list of required skills is strictly specified, but pets may only know a few commands, for example, “Fetch”, “Foo”, “Come to me”, etc.

Teaching your pet one or another “trick” allows you not only to diversify your daily walks, but to develop obedience in the animal, correct perception peace, add motor activity, which will have a beneficial effect on health.

Don’t think that the “Fetch” command, familiar to many, is just a game for a dog. In fact, when a dog runs and gives an object on command, he develops a lot of useful skills that will be useful to him in the future.

Is it worth teaching your dog the “Fetch” command?

For those who are thinking about how to teach a dog to fetch a stick on command, but are afraid that the training will not give any results, I would like to give a little encouragement. With such activities, you develop your pet, allowing it to develop normally.

The dog learns:

navigate the terrain and look for an object that forces him to use his sense of smell and sight;
think logically. That is, the owner gave an “order”, received what he asked for, he is satisfied;
patience. An animal learns to run after a stick only with the permission of its owner;
control emotions. A trained dog knows that no matter how much fun he may have playing with a stick, it must be returned to his owner.

According to experts, teaching the “trick” of returning a stick is very important for puppies that are characterized by excessive mobility, playfulness and aggression. It is necessary to teach the animal to concentrate on the object that is thrown to it. In this case, with strong emotional arousal or aggression, without receiving the “Fas” command, he will gnaw on the fetch object, and not on the intended enemy.

tactics for training service dogs

If you don't plan to make your pet service dog, then it’s up to you to decide whether you need to teach him the “Fetch” command or not. But if your pet is involved in rescue and search activities, then the animal will have to be taught such a “trick”. Such skills are included in the mandatory standard.

If the owner gives the dog the command “Fetch”, the dog must find the thrown object and return it. True, it’s worth making a reservation here that not every breed of dog likes such instructions. There are animals that fundamentally do not carry out “useless” commands. But even the most stubborn puppies enjoy playing with a stick or ball in the company of similar friends.

To facilitate the learning process, it is recommended to combine training with age-related changes in dogs. So, at the age of 3.5-4 months, puppies’ gums begin to itch and their teeth begin to change. This period is considered favorable for the beginning of the educational process.

If you have a desire to start training earlier, then this is not prohibited, the main thing is that it brings joy four-legged friend and to you.

Those who want to teach their pet to perform actions according to all the rules are recommended to adhere to the following scheme:

the animal should position itself near the trainer on the left side near the leg;
the stick is thrown forward, while the dog should not budge, but wait for instructions;
the trainer says “Fetch”, on command the dog rushes for the stick;
Having found a stick, the pet must return to starting position, bending around behind the coach. At the same time, no gestures or sounds can be made;
The dog must give the object to the trainer or place it on the ground after appropriate instructions.

Of course, this option looks boring and sad. It’s unlikely that anyone would want to train their four-legged friend like this. Therefore, the above scheme is suitable mainly for animals that will later become service dogs.

If you are going to throw a stick or ball to your pet just for fun and joy, then a softer method will suit you.

How to teach your dog to run after a stick yourself

So, if for you the “Fetch” command will only be a pleasant pastime, then the dog should be able to do the following:

start searching for an abandoned item at your command;
pick up a stick;
return the returned item to you;
perform all actions both on a leash and without it.

The training will take place in 3 stages. On initial stage you will need a stick and a positive attitude.

Let's look at the first stage, it can be practiced even with a tiny puppy:

go outside with your pet on a leash;
tease the dog with a stick, making sure that it doesn’t grab it;
throw the object no more than 2 m from your feet;
if your pet showed interest in fetch and ran on its own, then that’s great. If not, then during the game, slightly pulling the animal, run towards the stick together;
provoke the dog to pick up the fetch, if he doesn’t do this, then wait. As soon as the animal takes the stick in its mouth, say “Fetch”, the command must be given clearly and loudly.

Enough for the first stage of training. For now, it should be in your pet’s head that the word “Aport” is permission to take action. “take an object that can be chewed”.

The subsequent stages are combined into one, since complex training will be required here. Otherwise, you will encounter a problem: your dog will not want to give up the stick and you will have to play “catch” with it. You need to exercise outside, while your pet is on a leash.

The procedure is as follows:

starting position - dog at the foot, as if taking a position on the command “Place”;
now throw the stick and say “Aport”. Even before the start of training, you must decide whether the puppy can immediately rush after the thing or only after a voice instruction;
when your pet has picked up the fetch from the ground, begin to lightly pull the leash without saying anything;
finish the exercise at your discretion: sit the dog in front of you or near your left limb, remove the stick from its mouth.

Young and active puppies, having played out, may try to snatch an object from their hands and then begin to run away. Don't let your pet do this; regulate his behavior with a leash.

During training little puppy who is not yet able to hold toys tightly enough, it is recommended to use a piece of white or light-colored fabric tied in a knot. For older puppies, it is advisable to choose the most interesting toy.

The cloth is passed in front of the puppy's face, encouraging him to grab the cloth. Attempts to open the mouth and lick the fabric are encouraged verbally and with treats. Then they move the fabric a short distance, encouraging the baby to approach the object. At the same time, they are sure to praise.

When your pet picks up an object, you need to attract his attention and encourage him to return back with the object. To do this, call the pet to you, pronounce its name, and pat the floor with your palm. When the baby succeeds, enter the command “Bring it!” or “Aport!” The command is pronounced before throwing the object. After some time, the command is pronounced at the moment when the dog grabs the object.

Classes should be short - 5-10 minutes, and should be conducted in a quiet place. 2-4 repetitions per approach are enough. You should exercise at least 2 times a week.

Gradually the object is thrown to a greater distance. The distance is increased very slowly. If the object can no longer be reached with your hand, then use a long leash, with which you guide the dog when it needs to go back. When the pet has taken the object, carefully pull the leash, letting the animal know where to go. They stop pulling on the leash as soon as the puppy turns in the right direction and begins to return.

If the animal does not bring the thrown object, there is no need to fuss and immediately run to pick it up. You should sit and wait patiently until the dog returns with the toy. Therefore, the distance is increased slowly. If the result cannot be achieved, then stop the lesson and try again later.

When the dog commands “Fetch!” brought an item, they command “Give!” and take the item, in return, treating the pet. If the animal does not give up the object, then use a treat that the pet cannot resist and will definitely release the toys from its mouth. It is not recommended to motivate the puppy to come back with another toy, although it is sometimes very effective. Some dogs, anticipating the throwing of another toy, release the first toy from their mouths without bringing it to the starting point.

Practice of frequent repetition and positive reinforcement will achieve desired result. As the results improve, classes are held in different rooms, then outside. Gradually reduce the number of treats. The process of play itself should be a reward for the dog. And throwing a toy should motivate the animal to run after it and bring it back.

When the pet copes with the task, you can remove the leash and practice the command without it.

After working with the dog on the command “Fetch!” with a toy, you can complicate the task and teach your pet to fetch a stick, slippers, or any other objects. But before that you need to replenish " vocabulary» dogs. Study the names of the items so that the pet can understand which item needs to be brought. Next, the result is consolidated by sampling items. 3-4 objects are laid out in front of the animal and one specific object is named. If the pet chooses the named object, then you can proceed to practice the exercise of bringing this particular object.

How to teach a dog the command “Fetch!”

The command “Fetch!”, in which the dog must pick up a thrown object and return with it to the trainer, is somewhat different from the game “fetch a stick”. Command "Aport!" used in sports disciplines where order and obedience skills are important. All actions are performed on command. They begin to practice this command when the puppy is 7-8 months old, and he already knows the commands “Near!”, “Sit!”, “Come to me!”. Before throwing, the pet must sit on command at the left leg, then on command run after the object, and when returning back, go around to the right behind the trainer and sit at the left leg, waiting for the owner to take the object. If you have previously mastered the command “Bring!”, then transform it into “Fetch!” won't be difficult. Training comes down to practicing a strict sequence of actions.

In any case, the dog needs training. Even decorative. For her, this is a sign of the owner’s attention, when he deals only with her, pays attention to her.

The command “fetch” or “fetch” is one of the mandatory commands for a well-trained dog. At the same time, it is also useful. On this command, the dog must fetch and present to the owner an object thrown at a distance.

The process of learning the command “Bring it!”

Teaching a dog this command is not difficult. The main thing is to follow the instructions, don’t be nervous and do it only for mutual pleasure. You can start teaching this command from the age of 5-6 months. Until this age, the puppy is trained to play with different objects and hold them in your mouth.

During play, you can also throw objects, provoking the puppy to run after them. You need to watch how your pet learns its lessons. You need to start learning fetch after the puppy has mastered “sit” well.

It is better to start fetch training not on the street, but at home, for example in the corridor, so that the student is not distracted by anything.
Next, you need to put the dog on a long leash at the left leg with the command “sit” and throw the stick at a distance of 3-4 meters.
Then you should wait a few seconds to practice endurance, make a pointing movement with your hand and.
As soon as the dog grabs the object, the command must be repeated and the leash must be pulled without jerking, forcing the dog to return.
Next, the dog is led around and again seated at the left leg in its original state.
In this case, the retrieval object remains in the dog’s mouth all the time. You need to pick him up.

So gradually you need to ensure that the dog will return on its own without pulling on the leash. You definitely need to praise a team that has been successfully executed. There is no need to overexert the animal.

This should be a game: 2-3 repetitions of the command and a break, then the dog will enjoy the exercises. The retrieval aid can be a special retrieval dumbbell, a favorite toy, a ball, or a stick. If your dog doesn’t take fetch well, you can first make him a “soft stick” from twisted drapery.

When the dog learns all the elements of this command, you can begin training without a leash. The dog's holding time between throwing the object and the “fetch” command must be gradually increased, as well as the distance over which the fetch is thrown.

Knowing commands can make a dog owner proud. It's so fun when friends and acquaintances come to you, and your dog brings you items on command, everyone admires you as a trainer and your dog! In fact, everyone knows that teaching a dog commands is not only necessary for tricks. Basic commands are needed to control the dog, so that your dog better understands what you want from him. In addition, there are specially trained dogs that help people with disabilities, and therefore knowledge of commands is simply a necessity for them. So, how to teach a dog to fetch, and at what age should you start training?

Before training

You can train your dog either independently or with the support of an experienced trainer. The second option will help you cut down on time, but it's not necessary. It is better to teach a puppy the “Fetch” command from 5-6 months. But before that, you must prepare him for this command for the first months of the puppy’s life. First, the puppy must be able to hold objects in its teeth. It's good if you teach your puppy the "Give" command. That is, if a dog has, for example, a toy in its teeth, on the command “Give” it should give it to you. Secondly, by the time the puppy learns the “Fetch” command, it should respond well to its nickname and run up to you on the command “Come.” If you teach adult dog, you can also achieve excellent results, because each breed, even each specific dog, has an individual learning process. For example, hunting dogs and service breeds They learn better at any age, because they have a predisposition to such commands in their blood.

Education

Before starting the training, walk the dog and feed it approximately 2 hours. Further very important point– from teaching this command the dog should receive only positive emotions. If the dog can be forced to do other commands, then the dog may refuse to carry out the “Fetch” command, and you will not be able to force it. Therefore, try to guess when the dog will be in a good mood, and you will be in the same mood.

Choose an object, maybe a stick or a dog toy. Play a prank on the dog, direct its interest to the chosen object, let the dog want to get it. If your pet has no interest in the item you want him to bring, he will not run after it, he will not even pay attention to the fact that you threw something. Next, throw the object a short distance, the dog will run after it and pick it up. As soon as the object is in the animal’s teeth, call it to you by commanding “Aport.”

The first time you can train with a leash. If the dog has picked up the stick, but is in no hurry to run up to the command “Come to me,” lightly pull it towards you by the leash. When your dog runs up to you, do not forcefully snatch the stick or toy from him. If he knows the command "Give", take advantage of it. Praise him, let him know that you approve of what he did. Give him a treat.

If you and your pet succeed, repeat two or three times to consolidate the result. If the training for the first time was unsuccessful, do not be angry with your pet. Perhaps he wasn't in the mood to learn, or maybe he just needed a little more training time than you expected. Praise the animal, let it see that you support it. Be patient with your dog as you would with a child. After all, this is a game for her; she won’t understand that this is a serious learning process for you.

When the command is mastered

After mastering the basics, increase the distance. You can also diversify the items. Let it be a newspaper, various toys, sticks - whatever you want.

In addition, knowledge of the “Fetch” command will make it easier in the future to train the dog to search the area. This command is not included in the list of basic ones; you can do without it just fine. But, for general development A dog wouldn't hurt.

Don't overdo it. When learning, you need to know when to stop, even if it takes the form of a game. Finish the training before the dog gets tired of it. Of course, your desire to cram all the knowledge into your dog’s head in one go is quite natural for a novice trainer. But over time you will calm down your ardor. Try not to attach much importance to learning, treat it as a game.

The most favorite command for any dog, along with calling, is the “fetch!” command. All puppies love to chase a ball or a stick. For many adult dogs, this activity remains attractive. The prey instinct is the name given to the desire to catch up and grab a “running away” object. It is especially valued among official and hunting breeds. The command “fetch!” is included in mandatory testing when a dog enters the police service, it is required to pass training tests.

Kids of any breed like to tinker with, tug at them, and chase them. This tendency can be used to teach your puppy the command “fetch!” during the game. Balls on a long rope, various potholders and squeakers that can be attached to a leash are great for this. A rope or leash attached to the toy allows you to quickly pull the object to the owner, preventing the baby from running away with it in his teeth.

Young puppies are usually trained to fetch an object through play. To do this, on a walk or at home, the owner gets the baby interested in a ball or rubber toy, allowing him to grab it with his teeth and pat it a little. Immediately after this, the object is carefully and quickly taken from the puppy’s mouth and energetically thrown not far from the dog, accompanying the throw with the command “fetch!”

If the puppy runs up to the toy and grabs it, then the object is gently and imperceptibly pulled up, forcing the baby to approach the owner. After this, the dog is offered a treat, and at the same time the command “give!” is given. A toy is exchanged for a treat. After several repetitions (and their number should be no more than three in one lesson), the puppy understands that fun game playing with a ball also becomes enjoyable if you bring the toy to the owner.

How to teach your pet the command “fetch!”

Many dog lovers teach their pets the “fetch!” command, which is similar to the “fetch!” command, but has more variations. The cleanliness and speed of execution of this order is not important: the animal must understand what exactly the owner needs, what object should be taken between the teeth and carefully brought.

This command is taught like this: a toy is thrown not far from the dog, after which the command “fetch!” is given. And right hand a gesture is made pointing to an object. After the dog grabs the toy in his teeth, he is called or pulled up and the fetch item is taken away.

Some dogs do not want to part with the ball, ignoring the offered treat. Such stubborn people take away the toy by taking the pet for lower jaw , firmly pronouncing the command “give!”, immediately treating him with a treat. After a few repetitions, the dog understands that the toy is not taken away forever: they give up the item, calmly reacting to the owner's attempts to take it away. It is important to achieve clear and constant execution of the command on a leash, after which you can train without an auxiliary object.

Subsequently, the command “fetch!” is given to the pet when the toy is simply located not far from the dog. Be sure to point at the ball or squeaker when giving a command, and repeat the word “bring it!” possible several times. Many dogs look around in bewilderment, not understanding when the owner managed to throw the object, but then try to grab the toy. At the same time, it is necessary to forcefully so that he understands that this is exactly the action that is expected of him.

Praise is an essential element of training.

Pets that are constantly close to their owner usually know the names of many items that the owner uses in everyday life. The dog happily brings slippers or a leash, or keys at the command “bring it!” Even if the dog does not know the name of the item that needs to be brought, it tries to guess what exactly the owner needs, taking turns approaching all the things that are within access. The owner must help the dog, vigorously approving the right choice.

How to teach a dog the command “fetch!”

Adult animals that have undergone special training are required to do more than just bring an object to the owner. The dog must show restraint after the trainer has thrown the toy, run after it only after the command “fetch!” Then, the pet with the toy in its teeth must approach the owner, sit in front of him or near the left leg and hold the object in his teeth until the command “give!”

Learning all the intricacies of the command “fetch!” It is carried out in several stages, but the main points should be reinforced already in the first lesson. To do this, the pet is seated next to the left leg, teased a little with a toy and thrown in front of the dog. At the same time, the dog is held back, not allowing him to rush after the toy. For the first time, the trainer makes a very short shutter speed of a few seconds, after which he gives a voice command.

If the animal quickly grabs a toy, then you can approve this action with the word “good!”, then pull the pet towards you and sit it down, carefully making sure that the dog does not release the object from its mouth. The command “give!” and a treat complete the command. Processing takes a long time, each time the initial holding time is increased, teaching the dog to calmly wait until a voice command is given.

Difficulties in practicing the “fetch!” command

During the training process, the owner may encounter some difficulties. The speed of execution and the dog’s interest in the retrieving object depend largely on the individual temperament and inclinations of the animal. Melancholy pets, indifferent to active play, can work great at endurance, but are extremely reluctant to fetch. Temperamental, choleric dogs instantly bring a toy, but it is difficult for them to wait for permission to grab it, they are reluctant to give up the object. The owner must know character traits dogs to understand why the pet behaves this way.

With regular lessons on practicing the command “fetch!” The pet will not only strictly follow the training course standards, but will also willingly carry a bag from the store or its own leash. If necessary, the owner can, without getting up from the couch, force the dog to fetch any item, located in the dog's field of vision.