Let’s Play Ball

·        To teach your dog to play ball or fetch start by having at least 2 or 3 toys/balls with you, this can be done inside OR outside bring the dog to the area you want to play and throw one ball to the dog, when the dog gets the ball and has it in their mouth or lays down with it throw the next ball close to where they are and go pick up the one the dog put down.

·        Continue this until the dog comes closer and closer, this is building trust and will eventually get the dog to drop the ball at your feet. 

·        Do Not enter the dogs “personal space zone” this will ignite the chase game and we do not want to do that, to test where their personal space zone is once the dog has laid down with the ball/toy slowly walk up to the dog and see how close you can get before the dog gets up and walks/runs away, this will be the distance you will stop at before throwing the ball. 

·        Always practice this game in a enclosed area OR on a long line leash.

·        The point of this game is to, of course, get the dog to bring the ball to you and drop it for you but it is also teaching them that it is a good thing to come close to you because good things happen when they do, this is critical if your dog was ever in danger or got loose you could call them and they would Want to come because they know something good is awaiting them.