“Aport” - what is it?
This command can cause a lot of difficulties for a puppy to execute, but as the practice of many specialists shows, every animal develops it sooner or later.
“Fetch” means that the dog must bring a stick, ball, plate or some other object thrown by the owner, then go around the trainer on the right side and sit next to him waiting for him to pick up the brought object.
Important! The dog should not break loose and run after an abandoned toy until the owner gives the command.
It is necessary to accustom a puppy to it from the age of 7-8 months and only after the commands “Near”, “To me” and “Sit” have already been mastered.
When and how to train
During training, the pet should be fed, not irritated and calm. The mood of the owner and the dog should be excellent. There is no need to force training. Training sessions are best carried out outdoors - this way the animal will not be disturbed by anything. However, if necessary, the dog can carry out the command in a spacious corridor.
It is recommended to start training at approximately 4 months of age. Younger pets cannot learn commands. It is possible to teach a similar command to adult dogs, although it will take a little more effort. The most favorable period for learning is the beginning of teething. Then the puppy will run after the stick with great pleasure.
Selecting a subject for team training
The first question that arises before the owner is not how to teach the dog to fetch a toy, but which one to choose first. If the animal is preparing to take a training course, then a dumbbell should be used as a toy, but if this is done for the general development of the animal, then basically the owner opts for any toy intended for dogs.
When choosing an object to throw, it is important to take into account the parameters of the dog, for example, if it is a Yorkie breed, then the toy should be smaller so that he can bring it to his owner without any problems.
Worth knowing! It is not recommended to use a stick found on the street for throwing, because the pet can drive a splinter into its mouth.
It is best to visit a pet store and buy a rope, a rubber bone, a ring, a ball and much more.
Team training is often carried out with a ball.
Feedback
This and the next stages are the most important parts of the game. This is also where most people run into problems. If you can't get your dog to come back and throw the ball, you're not playing fetch, you're just playing chase!
The best way to get your dog to come back to you with the ball is to make sure he understands the THROW command well before you start playing.
When you play Fetch, as soon as your dog picks up the ball, say “Give.” Encourage your dog to come back to you by talking in a happy voice, patting your legs, and praising you.
If your dog has trouble with this step, you may need to reduce the distance at which you throw the ball. In some cases, you will have to start by throwing just a few meters away from you and then gradually increase the distance. Your dog should be able to consistently return the ball to you before you move on to the next distance.
Place to study
At first, as soon as the animal’s training begins, exercises can be carried out at home. In this case, the dog will be maximally concentrated on the owner and nothing will distract him from executing the “fetch” command.
After mastering the necessary basics, you will need to move outside, because the dog will need a place to run after an object and doing all this at home will become extremely inconvenient.
Additional Information! You should choose a quiet place to train an animal, where there are few people and other animals, so that the pet is not distracted.
It is not recommended to conduct the exercise after rain to avoid injuring the dog on wet grass, as well as on asphalt, because running on it has a traumatic effect on the pet’s joints.
Brief conclusions
Implementing the “Fetch” request for a dog has a positive effect on both its physical and emotional health. Most active animals fulfill this command with great joy and enthusiasm. For active pets that have a daily need for exercise and running, fulfilling requests is a solution to this problem and also frees the owner from additional physical activity. “Fetch” is included in the general training course. Every service dog must comply with this request to a high standard.
For hunting breeds, this is an integral part of training. For puppies, any command is more of a prank and a game. And for an adult dog, this is a way to curry favor and gain trust. Training a dog is usually not difficult. Patience, mutual respect and true friendship between the owner and the four-legged pet are the three links to obtain an excellent result.
Stages of animal training
When the question arises of how to teach a dog to fetch a toy or stick, you should first of all listen to the advice of dog handlers and carry out everything step by step.
"Take" command
Training begins with drawing an animal. To do this, you can take home slippers and play tug of war with the puppy. You can drag them along the floor and the dog will definitely grab the other end of the sneaker with its teeth. Here it is important to stop sharply at the most interesting place, after which you need to invite your pet to grab the slipper, but if he doesn’t do this, then start acting out again.
Dog training begins with games
After the puppy picks up the slipper himself, you need to connect voice commands, asking him to let go of the slipper and carry out this manipulation several times. Then, as soon as he begins to obey, you can enter the “take” command.
Exercises are carried out provided that the dog is active and full of energy. Otherwise, the training will not bring the desired result.
Picking things up from the ground
This is the next stage of training, which, as the practice of many specialists shows, is absorbed by the animal quickly and without problems. You must use the same subject as in the first stage of training.
To do this, a slipper is placed on the floor and the command “take” is clearly pronounced. It may not work out the first time, then you can use a hand gesture to point the dog to the thing that needs to be picked up. As soon as he picks up the slipper, you must immediately give the command “give it back” and repeat everything several times in a row.
Important! In no case should you run after the animal in an attempt to take away the toy if he does not give it up voluntarily, because this behavior can only anger the dog.
If the animal gives away the toy, then in return it must be given some kind of treat to cheer it up.
Learning to carry things
First, the dog must execute the “take it” command, after which it is necessary to throw the toy a little further than the animal, and if he brings it, then the throwing distance must be increased.
Training in holding an edible “fetch”
After the “fetch” command with a toy has been mastered, you can begin to use edible products, for example, take a piece of bread and ask the dog to take it. If it was successfully completed and the dog gave it to its owner, then it is necessary to praise it and give it some kind of treat.
Next, you can move on to treats that the dog really likes, and if he gives them away without problems, then further praise should be even tastier to let him know that when he follows the owner’s commands, an even more pleasant treat will follow.
Working without a leash
When everything works out on a short leash, you can try training the dog on a long leash. The throwing distance increases by 2 meters, then each time the task becomes more difficult. This will take a lot of time, but it is necessary to achieve a distance of 5 meters and precise execution of the command.
The most common mistake dog owners make is demanding unquestioning dedication from the dog when the task becomes increasingly difficult. Everything should happen gradually. You should always praise the dog, treat it with a treat, and when it learns the “fetch” command, it will be ready to do everything without food - just for one kind word from the owner.
In the future, the “fetch” command will become the basis for learning to search on the ground, work on a trail, select a thing and protect it. If you don’t have time to train your purebred dog, then it is better to contact a professional trainer who will approach the training with knowledge.
During the training process, the dog and the owner must be in an aura of positive attitude; a kind word and decency of the trainer can work wonders! Your dog will very soon reciprocate your love and devotion!
How to teach a dog to move next to you while carrying an object
First, you need to use a leash to teach the dog to move next to its owner so that it stops running away. If she tries to move away, you need to pull the leash and say the command “near.” Gradually, you can take the leash longer, but you need to make sure that the dog does not move away and walks in the same direction as the owner.
After mastering the “near” command, you can connect an object so that the dog carries it in his teeth. After completing it, be sure to reward the animal with some kind of treat.
Basic mistakes
Among the main mistakes that an animal owner makes when teaching commands are the following:
- learning is not in a playful way;
- training the command “near” without a leash, as a result of which you will have to run after the animal;
- lack of emotional response to the owner’s command;
- taking a toy from an animal without rewarding it with a treat.
Aggressive behavior of the owner when training the animal is unacceptable
The benefits of fetching a stick
Interestingly, any team is capable of developing certain qualities. Basically, training is aimed at helping the dog become obedient and well-mannered, and curbing its instincts. Although dogs differ in temperament, and therefore in the properties of the nervous system, everyone needs to be taught self-control and patience. In addition, different breeds may also differ from each other. For example, beagles are more active and energetic.
When a dog brings a stick, he is exercising not only in running. Search trains observation skills and the ability to act according to an algorithm. Memory processes are involved, patience, endurance and dexterity are trained. Sports and outdoor games, as is known, can not only help maintain physical fitness, but also develop some thinking processes. Also in animals. As a result of training, they become more attentive to their owner's commands. Training a pet can consist of several stages. While adhering to the desired algorithm, also take into account the individual characteristics of the dog. Classes should be regular and coordinated with a common goal. If you currently want to teach your dog one skill, try to ensure that all basic commands are learned. We will talk about them further.
Possible problems during training
There are two main problems that can arise when training a dog:
- Disobedience of the animal, as a result of the lack of any training.
- Incorrect execution of commands by the dog or complete refusal to perform them.
Training a pet is not an easy process and requires a lot of time and effort. Very often, the dog is trained incorrectly, because the owner does not know all the intricacies of training, so it is recommended to entrust this matter to experienced dog handlers who can teach the animal all the commands.
