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Subject: How to pick up a ball

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3boyz

Rattie

07/31/2007 12:48 PM
I would like to teach Maylee how to fetch a ball. However, when I throw it she will run toward it but will not pick it up. How do I teach her to pick it up? I tried putting treats on the ball, but of course she just ate them off the ball. Any ideas?

Mom to 4 human boys - 5 if you count my hubbie!

Lucy's Colleen

Bratty Ratty

07/31/2007 12:54 PM
Maybe try starting off my playing fetch with one of her favorite toys so she will want to pick it up. Then have her bring it back and treat. Then after she gets a hang of the fact that she is supposed to go retrieve the item them bring it to you trade the toy for her ball. Maybe even start out with one of those kong balls that squeak because we all know that dogs love those.

Colleen Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7797281@N05/

swatson6

Attention Starved

07/31/2007 12:58 PM
It worked with Jack to bring his air kong inside.....per Kim!! Wonderful idea! He did the same thing, run at it and then just stare at it. After I brought it in it was a whole new game.

Sarah Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan

rattytatty

Newbie

07/31/2007 1:07 PM
When I first got Bailey and attempted to get him to fetch... he wasn't the least bit interested. I got a tennis ball and kept throwing it in the hallway, where he couldn't "escape"... and I got down on the floor with him and got very animated (ok... don't laugh.... yes it WAS quite the picture!). But ya know what? It works... when I got animinated with the ball so did he. The trick is to make him WANT it and not necessarily to make him FETCH it immediately. Trust me... when he wants it badly enough, he'll fetch it! Now Bailey fetches ANYthing I throw... but he's obsessive about his air kong. I now occasionally use the air kong instead of treats for rewards because he loves it so much!

Natasha

Ratastic

07/31/2007 1:19 PM
Hehe i am having mass amouts of trouble with toby and fetch i throw the item and he runs takes it then runs off with it! He will then stop so i will walk over to him and try to get it and he runs all over the place away from me! Ithink he thinks he is alpha doggie or something and thinks its fun to make mommy chase him... It gets so frustrating sometimes, i tried the whole offer a treat to get him to come to me, it works he does come but leaves the toy where he was standing... any ideas?

treble02

Alpha Feist

07/31/2007 1:27 PM
Natasha...Trixi does the same thing sometimes...runs away once she fetches! LOL...I want to laugh because It reminds me of a 2 year old doing something she knows she shouldnt and then trying to get away with it...she looks right at me and then runs the other way...lol....im up for suggestions also!

~ Mary, Trixi and Toa's Mommy, Ratbone Rescues Database Manager and Applications Coordinator

3boyz

Rattie

07/31/2007 1:58 PM
I like the idea about trying with a favorite toy! Unfortunately I don't know what she likes to play with. We have had her about 3 weeks and so far she hasn't shown any sign of toys she likes. So on a similar, but different topic could you guys tell me what your dogs love to play with? Then I can go to the store and get some toys she may like! Thanks!

Mom to 4 human boys - 5 if you count my hubbie!

rattytatty

Newbie

07/31/2007 2:14 PM
It helps if you get animated with them. On their own, they may or may NOT show any interest in any particular item. But if YOU show interest and get animated with it... the dog most likely will too. I used the hallway so Bailey couldn't run away... space was more limited.

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