How to Train Your Corgi Dog to Fetch
Introduction
Corgis are among the best herding dogs in the world. But at the same time, they make outstanding family pets and are highly intelligent. Don't let their short little legs fool you. Once you teach your pup to play fetch, he will run those little legs off to bring you things. Did you know that the Corgi is ranked as the 11th smartest dog breed in the world? For most tricks, it can take only 5 to 10 repetitions of most commands to learn them. In fact, some are known to be able to follow a command the first time.
Fetch is a great game; it helps you bond with your pup and it lets him get plenty of good healthy exercise. Don't let the fact that Corgis look like a loaf of bread with legs pull the wool over your eyes. These dogs are very athletic and fast on their feet. Playing fetch with your pup is a good way to run off all that excess energy and be more relaxed at home.
Defining Tasks
Fetch is pretty much self-explanatory; you throw a ball or a toy out and your pup is supposed to happily chase after it and then bring it back to you. Because Corgis are exceptional herding dogs, their sense of direction, ability to follow instructions, and sense of smell are very well developed. Always use positive reinforcement while training, never use punishments or other negative methods as they will only serve to make your pup harder to teach.
During the training sessions, you will be using treats to reward your pup when it gets it right during the early stages. But, as he gets better at playing fetch, the only reward should be praise when he drops the toy in your hand. This game should be fun for both of you, so should the training sessions.
Getting Started
Before you try to start training your dog to play fetch, he must have already mastered the four basic commands of 'come', 'sit', 'stay', and 'down'. Teaching him these first helps to establish who is charge and puts your pup in the learning mode. It will also help you control your pup during many other types of training. To train your Corgi to play fetch, there are a few things you might need to make things go easier.
- Treats
- A rubber ball
- Leash
- An assistant
- A wide-open place to train like a big backyard or field
The Add a Helper Method
The Line of Toys Method
The Train in Reverse Method
