Pet Tip: Teach Your Dog to Fetch for Fun, Friendship and Fitness

The inclination to retrieve is highly prized in dogs and has been encouraged through breeding and training over the course of hundreds of years so that dogs can assist people in a myriad of tasks. Retrieving can be most useful in the work of service dogs who can be taught to fetch objects for individuals with disabilities. But, retrieving can also be of immense benefit to the daily and long term quality of life for pet dogs and their people.

Teaching your dog to fetch is a superb outlet for mental and physical energy and as part of an overall health and well-being program. After all, a dog who gets to fetch toys for at least a few vigorous 3-5 minute sessions a day is less likely to suffer from obesity. But, these play/training sessions can also help to cement the canine/human bond and to develop a more cooperative relationship between the dog and it's people. A dog who is having a blast running to get it's favorite toy, who then brings it back to it's person to offer it back to them on request, and then sits or lies down to say "please" for another toss, is getting numerous opportunities to practice the give and take of a healthy relationship.

Many dogs have a natural desire to chase fast moving things (in this case a ball or toy). Others seem to have an aptitude to bring the toy back to their person with just a bit of prompting. However, most dogs require guidance on how to play the game of fetch. Helping your dog learn the rules of the game ens... Keep Reading