The Dog Who Wouldn't Play Fetch

[Sandy]

Once upon a time there was a dog named Toby who wouldn't play fetch. His Mommy bought him Kong tennis balls, with a lovely squeaker inside, and he didn't care. His Mommy bought plain tennis balls, and he didn't care. He enjoyed sticks, so his Mommy thought, "Aha! I will throw a stick for Toby. He will chase it, and we will play fetch!" But alas, Mommy threw the stick, and Toby watched it sail through the air and hit the ground, then jumped with muddy paws on his Mommy. Mommy threw leaves into the air, and Toby laid at her feet, and followed them with his eyes, opening his mouth to catch one on the way past in the breeze. Toby had an I-Qube, which has lovely squeaky balls in it. His favourite one is red, which he runs around with, carrying it and squeaking it in a very funny way. But...when Mommy threw it down the hall, Toby just watched and sauntered down the hall after it.

Toby loves to lay and gnaw on "real" things, such as bully sticks and cured bones, but does not like "fake" things, such as balls, nylonbones, etc. Laying and gnawing does not alleviate doodle energy....playing catch does. Is there a way to create a happy ending to this non-fetching fairy tale? :)

Seriously, I would love to help Toby get exercise and get tired as well, but he will not play fetch. Is there another doodle out there like this? Or am I doomed, as Toby gets older, to have the world's laziest doodle?

[Sandy]

Thanks for your detailed instructions. And on the plus side, we would get some exercise! That's never a bad thing. :) We'll have to try that when the ground dries and see how it goes. I'll keep you posted.

[Stella]

Ok, I asked Dave and this is what he said. When he taught Hartley how to play, he threw the ball and made it a game to race for it. So, he actually ran to the ball and picked it up and Hartley followed him. Then he ran back to where he started from. He kept doing this, but began to let Hartley 'beat' him to the ball. Then he would run back to where he started getting Hartley to chase him back. Gradually, he didn't have to run up there with him and Hartley started bringing the ball back to him. He got him to drop the ball in exchange for a treat. I know the first few months we played fetch, he would get a treat every time he brought the ball back "fetch" and "bring it" were the commands we used. We gradully elimintated the treats as he got more consistent with returning the ball. Chase learnt by watching us play with Hartley and then letting him have a go. Hope this helps. I can hask him for more details if you need! Let me know how you guys get on.

[Sandy]

That would be great. He just isn't interested at all.

[Stella]

Dave taught both Hartley, and now Chase, to play fetch - I'll ask him how he did it!! They now play fetch really nicely together in the garden and take turns to bring the ball back. If Chase gets distracted or tries to run off with the ball, Hartley gives him a nudge and sends him to me - so cute!! Hartely is more labbish so he has a very strong retrieving drive which made it easier, but I'll let you know what he says.

[Adina P]

Hmmm...Rosco didn't like fetch as a pup either. I remember once I was temporarily successful by getting him really enticed into playing with his rubber duck. I'd swing it around him, wave it in front of his nose...get him all riled up to grab it and then toss it (not very far). I clicked/treated for showing interest. Repeated a few times and it seemed to help. Temporarily. Still took him into adulthood to really love fetch. There may be hope!