Training

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2 min read

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How to Train Your Dog to Fetch in Water

Training

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2 min read

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1

Comments

How to Train Your Dog to Fetch in Water
Medium difficulty iconMedium
Time icon2-3 Months
Fun training category iconFun

Introduction

Do you live near the seaside or in the beautiful countryside with rivers and lakes running by? Do you love where you live and love walking your dog there and enjoying the scenery with your four-legged friend? But are you fed up with always having to fetch your pooch's favorite ball or toy from the water because he doesn’t like getting his paws wet? That means that now is the time to train your pooch to fetch the ball from the water and save those muddy wet shoes and trousers from wading in. Or if it goes in too deep and you can’t fetch the toy back, this will stop you having to keep buying new toys or balls for your pooch, saving those precious dollars so that you can buy yourself something nice.

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Defining Tasks

Training your dog to fetch in water is not only convenient for you in not having to fetch the ball yourself or end up losing your favorite toy, but swimming is great exercise for your pooch. If his favorite toy goes in the water and he knows how to swim and fetch, this is a great way to encourage him to swim, control the distance he swims so it’s safe for him, get him to come back, and prevent him from messing around in the water too much, as he's fetching for you. 

This command can be a little tricky, as it requires a few components; you’ll need to teach your pooch how to swim and how to fetch first, before combining the two together. Your dog must also have a good recall technique so that if they get into any trouble in the water, you can call him back straight away. Based on these prerequisites, this trick will likely take a few months to teach and should only be taught to pooches over six months old, as they need to be strong enough to swim well in case they get into any trouble.

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Getting Started

Before your pooch literally jumps in, to get ready for teaching your pup to fetch in water he’ll need to learn the 'swim' and 'fetch' commands as mentioned above. Don’t skip these steps, your pooch definitely needs to be a strong swimmer to keep him safe. Invest some time in training him to come back to you; having a solid recall will also keep your pooch safe, just in case you accidentally throw his toy somewhere you shouldn’t have. It would be best to teach your pooch to fetch in water somewhere shallow with few obstacles and little to no current to begin with. A friend or relative's swimming pool would be ideal. Remember to grab your clicker to signify good behavior if you’re clicker training and a bag of tasty treats, or even make your own, but make sure they’re safe for dogs.

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The Favorite Toy Method

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1

Choose his favorite

Start with using your dog’s favorite toy for him to fetch in the water, this will be extra encouragement, as he’s unlikely to leave it behind.

2

But be sensible

Make sure your pooch's favorite toy is once that will float so it’s easy for him to pick up. If not, you’ll have to buy a new toy that is buoyant and play with him with it, so that he enjoys the toy and is fond of it.

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Motivation

Reward your pooch with play, treats or affection if he gets it right. You can even use all three to let him know how much of a good boy he’s been.

4

Start shallow

Make sure you start shallow so it’s easy for your dog to fetch and retrieve.

5

Go deeper

Once your pooch has gotten used to fetching in shallow water, increase the distance and go a bit deeper with it. Giving him a big reward when he comes back. However, be sure that it’s still safe for him to fetch the toy in the deeper water, looking out for any obstacles and thinking about strong currents.

The Safety Method

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Doggy life jacket

Kit your pooch out with an adorable flotation aid available online and from certain pet shops.

2

Get your pooch used to the jacket

Make sure you acclimatise him to the jacket, by putting it on him and giving him a treat, on and off over a few days, before he has to swim in it to retrieve an object for you.

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Keep him on a lead

Always make sure your pooch is on an extendable lead when he’s learning to fetch in the water, so that you have a hold on him in case something goes wrong.

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Make sure he knows how to 'leave it'

Practice throwing the toy in the water and then telling him to ‘leave’ or call him back before he gets to it, so that you can have peace of mind that he’ll come back to you if the toy goes somewhere unsafe.

5

Always reward

Always give your pooch a reward when he comes back to you and when he fetches the toy from the water.

The Getting His Feet Wet Method

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Easy fetch

Set up a scenario where it’s easy for your dog to enter and exit the water to get the toy and that you’re close by for reassurance.

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Practice with a swimming pool

The ideal situation would be to practice using a swimming pool.

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Click

Click when your pooch is in the water and gets the toy.

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Click again

Give him another click and a reward when he brings the toy back to you.

5

Practice at home with a hose

If you don’t have access to a swimming pool, you can use the hose to get your pooch wet, but make sure it’s not too cold. Give him a click and a treat when he tolerates it. Then throw the ball for your pooch into shallow water such as a wading pool or a bowl and click and give him another treat when he brings it back to you.

Written by Catherine Lee-Smith

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 12/07/2017, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions

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Training Questions and Answers

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Sage

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Labrador beagle

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18 Months

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Question

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Sage loves to swim and retrieve balls. She has been great on coming back and dropping the ball right in front of me. Lately she will retrieve the ball and then run off down the shoreline. She ignores my come command. She comes back when she feels like it. How can I change this behavior?

July 19, 2021

Sage's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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1133 Dog owners recommended

Hello Nancy, Using a long poly leash that floats, I would practice Come/Fetch in the water with shorter distance throws, using the long floating training leash to ensure pup so you can reel pup back in if she evades you. Use the long leash to enforce pup obeying while swimming, practicing proactively until pup will consistently Come with the toy when told. Come - Reel in method: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ Example of poly leash. https://www.chewy.com/remington-hollow-poly-braided-check/dp/228189?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Remington&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdSHBhCdARIsAG6zhlVAAVytKL0B-91yRelHm2pflqtoH0_eVieM4aybsqoTOlyBdjdaqOkaAr3AEALw_wcB Keep the excess coiled up as you hold it. You can also attach it to something like ruffwear's webmaster harness to make it a bit more manageable clipped to pup's back. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

July 21, 2021


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