How to Teach Your Dog to Retrieve the Newspaper

By jbuskirk

Instructions

Step 1:
This trick works best if your dog already knows how to fetch, so if she doesn't, follow these tips with only a ball before moving on to a newspaper.
Step 2:
When your dog is acting playful, give him a newspaper. Let him sniff it and encourage him to pick it up. It's okay if he shreds it at this point.
Step 3:
Set the newspaper by your side and throw your dog's favorite toy to fetch. Reward her with a treat when she brings the toy back.
Step 4:
Next, throw the newspaper. If your dog doesn't run after it, walk him over to it and put the paper in his mouth. Give him a treat for walking to it.
Step 5:
Continue throwing the toy and newspaper, alternating the two objects. Once the dog begins bringing back the newspaper, reward only that with a treat.
Step 6:
Once your dog has mastered fetching the newspaper, put it out in the driveway or yard.
Step 7:
Walk with your dog to the newspaper and show her where it is. Encourage her to carry it back to the house. Again, reward this with a treat.
Step 8:
Once your dog is consistently picking up the paper and carrying it to the house with you by his side, start letting him out of the house by himself.
Step 9:
If your dog forgets she is supposed to bring back the paper, start again with Step 3. It will probably take a few days of completing all the steps before she starts getting the paper on her own.

Tips & Warnings

Be aware of your dog's attention span. If he gets distracted during training, stop and try again the following day.
This trick shouldn't be taught if the dog has a tendency to run away or you live on a busy street.

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