How to Teach a Dog To Play Ball

By Civita Dyer

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

A suitably sized ball
Time and patience
Lots of treats
Your dog

Step 1:
Get them comfortable with play. Training your dog to play seems absurd at first but if your dog isn't the playful type you may have to get them comfortable with playing in general. This means running around with them, getting them excited and any other game you can come up with. You will want to avoid tug of war since it tends to bring out the dominant nature in dogs. By playing with your dog this way they will learn to love playing and they will become more comfortable with you and want to please you.
Step 2:
Finding a durable and appropriately sized ball for your dog will be the first step. Bring the ball home and encourage as much play with it as you possibly can. Constantly hand it to your dog, introducing it to them over and over again. Over a number of weeks your dog will hopefully form an attachment with the new toy. If they don't take to it like they should try a ball that you can insert treats into, or give your dog positive reinforcement through praise or a treat every time they interact with the ball.
Step 3:
Giving up the ball will be a crucial step in teaching your dog to fetch. To do this you will want to wait until your dog has grown to love the ball. When you spy your dog carrying the ball around call them over and tell them to give. If they give immediately reward them with a treat or praise. Continue doing this for a few weeks and before you know it they will be giving you the ball without you asking for it.
Step 4:
Switch things up a bit by finding the ball and initiating the play. Give your dog the ball and then immediately ask for it back. Continue with the praise just as you did before. Once they get this down begin to throw the ball a small distance away after they give it to you. When you toss the ball follow quickly with a command such as "Fetch." Always be consistent with this command. Once your dog learns this at a small distance you can move on.
Step 5:
Spread it out. Perform the last few steps in an open room in your home if you can. When your dog has mastered fetching the ball at small distances (only a few feet) you can lengthen your area. Throw the ball farther and farther away in the home until it doesn't matter where you throw. If you reach the point where your dog will bring back the ball whether you throw it in the bathroom or on the couch you will be ready to move outside.

Tips & Warnings

Just like with any other trick you will need to take your time and have a lot of patience when training your dog.
Always start inside to avoid any dangers outside such as the road due to the fact that your dog will be distracted by the play.

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