Thereās a lot of controversy around fetch. Is it good? Is it bad? The answer: itās all about balance and your dogās individual needs. Fetch can be a fantastic activity when done safely and in moderation. To make the most of it, consider your dogās physical condition, the environment, the toys you use, and always monitor for signs of stress.
To make fetch more fun and safe, try adding variety, challenges, and interactive elements to keep your dog engaged.
I incorporate a lot of training into my fetch games with Kaiba. This not only keeps him mentally stimulated but also strengthens our bond. Even when there are other dogs around, Kaiba stays focused on me, allowing him to stay off-lead safely (youāll see at the end of this clip, Kaiba glances to his right where another off-lead dog was playing).
Adding more engagement into a game of fetch builds your relationship with your dog and can be practiced in all sorts of environments. Itās also great for addressing behaviors like reactivity and boosting your dogās confidence. Plus, it keeps their minds busy and taps into their natural instincts!
Some of the games and tricks we incorporate into fetch include:
ā¢ Middle
ā¢ Touch
ā¢ Spins/Twists
ā¢ Weaves
ā¢ Overs and Unders
ā¢ Impulse Control ā waits and drops
ā¢ Nose Work ā hiding and finding the ball
How do you play fetch? š
Alice spotlight āļøI have been working with Alice and her owner Bryan since she was 4-5 months old. They started on my puppy course where Alice flew through with flying colours, I helped Bryan with Aliceās confidence building and loose lead walking with his mobility scooter too, which she again absolutely smashed. Alice was quite nervous of the outside world and wasnāt able to go road side as the noisy cars sent her running and panicking to get homeš„ŗ. I started taking her out for socialisation walks, building her confidence around traffic, other dogs, adults and children. Alice is now over 7 months old and just look at her goš„³ She has incredible loose lead walking for her age, sheās no longer scared of traffic. She happily passes by other dogs, people and children with ease or is happy to say hello if they approach. Not to mention her recall and focus when out are both fantastic too! She has come so so far in such a short time and Iām incredibly proud and honoured to be a part of her journey! Sheās truly growing into the most gorgeous, happy and confident little dog š„°...#bondfurever #dogtraining #puppytraining #adolescents #jackrussell #jackrussellsofinstagram
