How can I teach a four year old dog to play fetch?
Well everything about training is practice. When they are puppies I put the ball in their mouth and take it out. Then I try to throw the toy at them, but I am close to them, so I throw it so they have a better chance to catch it. Getting them to bring the toy to me, I use my make a fuss voice. I point to the part of the ground that I want them to put the toy, and use the command “drop it” , or whatever your dog responds to. You need to be watching your dog to see if she has vision problems. My dog, Andy, has vision problems, so you can throw a ball, he will chase it, and bring it back, but it isn’t fun for him. We play hide and seek with Andy. We hide and when he finds us we chase him and then we hide again. It all takes practice, but you have to have fun, and the dog has to have fun too.
Like you would a puppy. Have two toys, and throw one of them. When she goes and grabs the other toy, tell her “Good Fetch!” and show her the other toy, and tell her “Bring it”. When she comes to you, throw the other toy, and she’ll drop the one she has and go after that one. Keep repeating. If you prefer, put her on a leash, and throw her favorite toy (where she can reach it!) and then tell her to ‘come’ once she’s got the toy. When she comes to you with the toy in her mouth, praise her for a “good fetch” and give her a treat. Old or young, all dogs can learn new tricks!
