Playing Fetch

[MinPin2Boxer]

I have discovered that my almost 3 year old boxer Simba loves to play fetch. I've only had him for a couple months so I don't know too much about him. But he is a great dog. The only bad thing is when trying to play fetch with him he brings the object back to me, but won't drop it for me to throw again. I usually have to try and pull it away from him in which he thinks I'm trying to play tug-o-war with him. I'm not sure how his previous owners played with him, but I don't want him thinking it's ok to pull on things. I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to get him to drop the object in front of me. I've tried different commands thinking maybe his previous owners taught him to drop it but he doesn't seem to know them or is just being pig headed. So any ideas would be great since it's a great way for him to get his exercise! Thanks!

April

 

[Bernice]

I went through this Hennessy, I would throw the ball and he would bring it back to me fine but would keep it in his mouth well I tried all sorts of voice commands to no avail and then one day when he brought me the ball I cupped my hands and held them under his chin and he dropped it to my surprise, so I kept doing this and saying good boy when he did drop it and there were times when he just was alittle stubborn so then I would say ok no play then and walk away,it just takes time and patience good luck
Bernice and Hennessy Boy

 

[FarleyBoxer]

Farley does the same thing and we have taught him the 'let go' command. I still have to actually grab the object and tell him to let go, but as soon as I say that he opens his mouth. We do play tug-of-war often and this is a great way to teach him that I say who wins, not him.

Camille

 

[ToksImg]

Daisy will return what ever is thrown but as soon as she gets next to us, she hops off with it.

 

[pyermoli]

Oscar will do the same thing. He will not drop the ball. If he does he hovers over it and looks at you to wait and see if you will try to get it. When you go for it he quickly snatches it right up. Good luck on the training!

 

[jo.mcqueen]

Saffie does the samething she wants the game of fetch to change into a game of chase once she has got the ball. Then she'll squeek it let you get one finger on it then start running again.... she loves to tease

 

[HarleyMama]

Lately Harley has done the fetch-to-chase thing... thats when I turn around and walk away, haha.

He likes to go get the ball, bring it to me, then when I go to grab it he turns and runs clear across the yard, drops it then runs back to me like "Hey, c'mon and chase me, i bet I can get to the ball before you" That or he thinks, "hey, mom, its your turn to go fetch." Thats when I end the game.

Good Luck with the training, let me know what you decide or what works!

Melissa & Harley

 

[bikerhoff]

I use the old food trick to get Marco to drop the ball. I throw the ball, he brings it back but won't drop it, then I say "drop it" and hold up a treat. He immediately drops the ball and sits. I reward him with the treat and then we start all over again. After several sessions of this training, he finally got "drop it". He doesn't get a treat everytime though. And of course he doesn't drop it every time we are playing either! Stubborn little guy he is!

 

[Thomas Liggin]

One of a Boxer's favorite games is "keepaway". They will play this with dogs and humans. It is not a bad game as long as they know the rules.

They must allow you to set the rules. When you want to play their game, and chase them around, that's fine. But, they should be trained to come on command, and allow you to have the toy.

When I play it with Indy, I'll say, "I'm gonna get you!!", and he knows it's time to keep me from getting his toy. In fact, I take advantage of this to make sure he gets plenty of exercise. I'll position myself in the middle of their fenced area, and walk after him, constantly angling toward him. He has to run to stay away from me.

In my younger days, I could have pursued with more vigor, but at a fast walk, he has to do some serious running to stay out of my reach.

When I want to end the game, I do it in one of two ways. I'll either have him sit and stay, or call him to me. I then grab his toy and say "Please", and he'll release his grip.

Tug of war works the same way. We'll tug, and when I want to end the game, I'll get quiet and say please. Then I'll return the toy to him.

Some will assert that you should never engage in tug of war with your dog. I disagree, as long as you remain in charge of the game.


Tom

 

[BoxerLoverNC]

Micah is the best myself or DH has ever had to play fetch with. Here's what we did. When he brought it back , if he wouldnt give it up, we would ignore him and not look at him. Untill he dropped it realizing we werent playing anymore. Then, we started looking him in the eye, pointing to the ground and snapping our fingers saying "drop it". As soon as he drops it, we throw it. He will do it a thousand times a night until he is plum wore out. If he doesnt drop it, we dont chase, we ignore him until he does. He very rarely does that now. Dont let him think your playing his game of chase. Once they get it down, it's so much fun and great exercise. I've thrown the ball so much before my arms ache the next day.

Now that he's good at it, it's kinda a pain sometimes because we cant even do yard work without playing fetch at the same time. He drops the wet ball on our feet and will stare at us until we throw it again! And now when we watch TV we have to put up with slobbery laps because he wont leave us alone with that stupid ball! My Dh says he's an addict now!!!