Teaching the Pet to Fetch and Drop Objects on Command
“Fetch”
and “Drop it” are very excellent commands to teach a young dog.
Fetch is a great game most dogs love.
It’s mentally stimulating, wonderful
for wearing the pet out, an acceptable type of play for children and dogs, and
can provide a means for social interaction between visitors and shy dogs.
Teaching
the pet to drop things on command reinforces the idea that the owner has control
over the dog, and comes in handy when the pet has something in its mouth that it
shouldn’t.
Pick a time when the pet is in an energetic mood and there are few
distractions. Toss an interesting
toy a short distance. As the pet
picks it up and turns to look at you, lower your body, take several quick steps
in the opposite direction, wave your hand and wiggle your fingers in an animated
way, and say “Fetch”
in a very upbeat tone. This should
catch the attention of the pet and get it to come toward you. Continue to repeat “Fetch” as the pet approaches.
If the pet runs the other way with the toy, lies down and chews it, or
does not come all the way up to you, simply walk away and end the play session.
You must avoid chasing after the pet, walking toward it to take the toy
or attempting to coax the pet to return.
Drop
it – First step
The
first step involves luring the pet to drop the toy and teaching a cue word.
As the pet approaches with the toy, place a piece of food between your
forefinger and thumb. When the pet reaches you, move your hand and the food toward
the pet’s mouth with a bit of a flourish.
Hold the food in front of the mouth without saying anything.
When the pet opens its mouth to take the food, the toy will fall out.
As this happens, say the cue words, “Drop it,” and pick up the toy
with the other hand as you allow the pet to take the food. Repeat until you notice that the pet is starting to drop the
toy as your hand just begins the downward movement toward
it.
Use
a small piece of food that is more interesting than the toy, but not so
interesting that the pet will forget the toy and only focus on the food. Each time the pet takes the food from your hand, say “Good
dog.” If the pet is not
interested in food, you can use a second toy in place of food to lure it to drop
the fetched toy.
Drop
it – Second step
Next, you will begin giving the cue words earlier in the sequence. Instead of putting the food in front of the pet’s mouth and
waiting until it opens to say “Drop it,” you will say “Drop it” as you
begin to swing your hand down toward the pet.
Pick up the toy, give the food and say “Good dog.” Repeat this at
least twelve times before advancing to the next step.
Drop
it – Third s
The
last step involves gradually phasing out the food. Hold
your hand like you have food in it, swing it down toward the pet and say “Drop
it.” When the pet drops it, say
“Good dog” and give it loads of praise.
As
you continue to practice, alternate between a food reward and praise, varying
the presentation so the pet doesn’t know exactly which reward it will get each
time it drops the toy. As the training progresses, you should be using more praise
and less food.
Drop
it – Other items
Once the pet learns the “Drop it” command during play, it can be used
whenever it has anything in its mouth. The
transition from dropping toys during fetch to dropping more desirable items,
like rawhide or food wrappers, should be made very gradually. Rank
the pet’s toys from the most desirable to least desirable.
When you notice that the pet has the least desirable toy in its mouth,
ask it to drop it using a command and hand signal.
Praise it or give a small food reward, then ask it to sit and return the
toy. When you find that it drops
that toy readily, move to the next toy in the rank, and so forth.
Be sure to always use an upbeat tone of voice and make the training fun.
Practice is very important. The
pet needs to drop something on command at least several times each day if you
expect to be able to get to the point where it will drop special items like food
wrappers and dead birds on command.