How to Train Your Dog to Bring Back a Toy
Introduction
Playing fetch with your dog can be rewarding for you both. You get to interact and play with your pup, and he gets to introduce you to his favorite toys as you toss them out into the world for him to go find.
Playing fetch with the dog doesn't always mean you get to do it more than once. Sometimes you toss the ball or a rope out across some expansive space, expecting your dog to bring it back to you, only your dog runs very excitedly to retrieve it and stands on the other side as if mocking you, refusing to let you have it again. This, of course, puts an end to your game of fetch. Teaching your dog to bring a toy back to you is the second phase of training your dog to play fetch. If you want to toss a ball more than once, your dog is going to have to know how to bring it back to you so you can throw it again.
Defining Tasks
Dogs who understand the second half of this fun game are eager to bring their toys back to their owners so they can, of course, play again. Dogs who just want their toys to be tossed out for a wild chase and then to hold on to them don't quite get that this game is one of enticing intrigue. You will need to teach your dog that he gets to play the game over and over again by bringing back the toy. This might mean you need to trick your dog into believing he only has one toy, and you happen to have it even when it's in his mouth. This also might mean you need to get your dog to chase you, making yourself an intriguing part of your game together.
Getting Started
Training your dog to bring a toy back to you is going to involve encouraging and enticing your dog. To do these things, you will need to have some high-value treats and identical toys on hand to make trades. You may also want to look into getting two of the exact type of toy. So two tennis balls that look exactly the same will work, or two ropes that are exactly the same will also work. Put your running shoes on and be prepared to run around with your dog, including running away from him to encourage him to come find you with his special toy. Turn this into playtime and bonding time with your dog and have fun with it.
The Two of the Same Method
The Hide and Return Method
The Run Away Method
Written by Stephanie Plummer
Published: 11/30/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
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Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
Tanner
Tanner would always bring his water toy back to me but lately he will not bring it to me just plays in the water with it. What am I doing wrong?
104 Dog owners recommended
Thank you for the picture and question. I am wondering if Tanner is simply tired of the game, or of the toy. You could try a new water toy that may pique his interest again. As well, you could try the "Retrieve the Treats Method" described here: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-retrieve. The "Dual Toy Method" here involves using 2 toys to teach a dog to retrieve: https://wagwalking.com/training/retrieve. It may be enough to get Tanner excited about the game again. Good luck and have lots of fun!
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he's a toy robber, even if the ball is his or it belongs to another dog, he won't give it back. he fetches and makes his way back to me but avoids to give it back and if i chase him to retrieve the ball, he'll hide away with the ball/toy. If i grab him he doesn't resist, actually he has a very gentle grab on the ball and it's easy to remove it from his snout. He's a rescued dog so i assume he doesn't have much experience with playing dinamics. How can i teach him to hand me de ball back? He's a very sweet and gentle Pup but we don't want to get in the way in the playtime of other dogs in the dog park. Many thank!
841 Dog owners recommended
Hello Fernando, For pup not returning the toy to you, check out the article I have linked below. especially sections on teaching Come and Drop It. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-to-fetch/ Second, I recommend playing short range fetch on a long training leash, like 20 foot, with only part of that length uncoiled, and pup wearing a padded back clip harness. You will have to be careful not to throw the ball too far and to let go of the leash if you accidently do, but with a leash on, when pup tries to play keep away, you can simply reel them in, reward with a treat or a second toy being tossed as soon as they drop the current ball, and help get them out of the keep away habit. Third, I recommend teaching Leave It and Out and work on practicing those, rewarding pup in real time when they obey, in locations where other dogs are playing fetch. Ideally, recruit another friend with a friendly dog to practice this around while their dog plays fetch and your dog is rewarded for leaving it unless told to Fetch it. Leave It section: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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