Fetching may seem like one of the most natural activities for dogs to engage in with their masters. However, while some dogs are naturally inclined to play this game, others are not and will have to be taught. Usually, they will go after what you have thrown and not bring it back, or they will look at you and wonder why you just tossed their favorite object away from them.

The good news is that you can teach your dog how to play catch in just six easy steps. It may take a little time before they fully understand, but you can use this time to really bond and spend time with your beloved pet.

1. Find the Right Object

You just can’t toss any old object, so you need to find something that will be appealing to your pet. Find something that the dog has an inherent interest in so that they will be more inclined to chase it. You may have to experiment a bit or buy your dog a new toy that they find interesting and you’ll be off to a good start. Some potential items include a favorite stuffed toy, squeak toys, bones, or treats.

2. Encourage Your Dog to Chase

If they already chase after the object that you have tossed, then you can proceed to the next step. However, if they sit and stare at you, then you’ll need to provide a little motivation for them to run. You can offer treats, playtime, or affection to help encourage them to run after what you have tossed. Once you get your dog to run, reward them appropriately so that they make the connection between the object being tossed and running after it.

3. Hold Them Back Initially

One neat trick to help build up their encouragement once they start chasing the object is to gently hold them back once it is thrown. You can add verbal encouragement as well, which will have them off to the races once you let them go.

4. Getting It Back

Having them get the object is the first step. Now, they have to bring it back to you. Start by calling the dog to you in order to get them to come back. If your dog does not return to you, have a second toy that you can throw in the opposite direction to get them used to running back to you. It may take a while, but they will learn that if they bring the object back to you, you’ll throw it again.

5. All the Way Back

Quite often, dogs will only bring the object part of the way back, so you’ll want to encourage them to bring it all the way. You can trick them by using a treat at the point where they drop the object, and then throwing the object again and standing at that point. The dog will begin to associate getting a treat by coming back to the point where they will drop the object.

6. If All Else Fails, Use a Rope

If your dog does not come back to you despite the treats, put a rope on their leash. Once they get the object, you can use the rope to gently encourage your dog to come back to you. As you pull the rope in, praise the dog so that they start to get the idea that coming back to you is a good thing.

Again, this trick may take time and patience to teach, but it can be done with practice. This trick is a great way to get your dog to exercise, and teaching the trick and actually performing it also helps the both of you bond and strengthen your relationship.

How to Teach Your Shih Tzu to Fetch in Six Easy Steps

5. All the Way Back