Fetching

[ruoccolv]

Our boxer, Elwood, is 3 months old and has just learned to sit/fetch. In the begining, he always brought the ball back but we had to to take it out of his mouth. Recently, he started fetching the ball, but then he doesn't come back. He tends to take it to another part of the room and starts playing with it. Two questions:

1) How can I get him to take the ball back to the person who threw it?

2) How can I get him to drop the ball so that I don't have to grab it out of his mouth?

Thanks in advance!

Lou

 

[k9sareforme]

I was wondering the same thing. if I get info. i will tell you

 

[Mandy1155]

My trainer said to use treats to get them to trade the ball for treats. I have a problem with doing that because Clarice never wants to run away to get the ball once she sees the treats come out, but it might work for some dogs.

 

[Astoreen]

Lou-

FYI, you cannot post the same thread in two different places. The moderators will probably delete one of the two threads. I've also noticed this on another one of your recent posts/threads and wanted to let you know in advance to please not do that anymore. Also, I think it is against BW rules (which I haven't checked out in a while).

Just wanted to give you a heads up!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I have merged your cross-posts into one post. Please do not post the same question in multiple forums. Be sure to read the Rules which you agreed to when you registered at Boxerworld.

Thank you.

 

[Jan]

I deleted the extra post.

As Mandy suggested, the best way to teach them to release the ball is to exchange it for a treat. But before you do that you need to teach her to pick up the ball and then to come. Don't try and teach her all three at once, you have to do it one at a time and once she knows all of the parts, you can then put it together. It is best to teach her to come, using a leash. That way, you can encourage her to come, if necessary.

Good luck,

 

[Krikkit]

Swapping the ball for a treat worked well here too If they don't bring the ball back then we just stop the game. There is a very nice video called 'Click and Fetch' available at www.cleanrun.com (and probably other bookstores) which you might like if you are interested in more formal obedience type retrieving.

Sharon

 

[Shadrap]

I believe I have the perfect solution ... it worked wonders with Gina ... have 2 identical balls ..or whatever ... when the one is brought back .. the other is thrown immediately the other is dropped ... works like a dream

 

[puppyluv]

There is one other angle that has not been discussed here as well. I know it's hard to believe but even boxers have a point where they get to tired to play, so if you've ever thrown the ball for her to the point where she is panting and showing signs of tiring then she has probably learned to control the game herself. If this is the case (and possibly even if it isn't) then you should try getting two or three new toys exactly alike and start from square one. The new toys are only available to her when the two of you play together and never when she is playing by herself. Throw the first toy for her to chase. Imediately as she picks up the first throw the second toy in the opposite direction. If she drops the first toy without bringing it back thats ok because you can work on that part later. As she gets better at going out and getting the first toy then you start throwing the second toy as she turn to come back while she is still holding the toy. Where the third toy comes in is some dogs can fit both toys in their mouth at one time and sometimes will chase the second toy with the first one still in they're mouth making it neccessary to throw a third toy.

 

[Duke's Mommy]

Duke will fetch and bring whatever it is back to me to throw, and like some of you I am having a problem with him releasing the toy for me to throw again. His trainer said that when he brings the toy back to me I should give him a treat in exchange for the toy and as soon as he drops the toy to get the treat say "give it" or "drop it", whichever you choose and he will eventually get the idea. I'll let you know how it goes.