A game of fetch is great exercise <\/strong><\/a>and a way of bonding for you and your dog.<\/p>\n For some dogs, playing fetch comes almost as naturally as walking. After all, breeds like the Labrador and the Cocker Spaniel have retrieving bred into their DNA.<\/p>\n But for many other dogs, the idea of chasing after an object you throw and then bringing it back to you is a very foreign concept.<\/p>\n Try to start a game of fetch with one of these dogs and they’re likely to chase the object and keep it for themselves, get distracted mid-chase, or simply stare at you like you\u2019ve gone slightly bonkers.<\/p>\n The good news is that if your Staffordshire Bull Terrier doesn\u2019t know how to play fetch, it\u2019s fairly easy to teach him or her the basics.<\/p>\n This short guide will explain how to teach a Staffy to fetch step-by-step, including some handy tips to help make every training session a success.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The best approach for teaching your Staffy how to play fetch will depend on their level of interest in chasing the ball or toy you throw. Some will instinctively hare off after the item as soon as you throw it \u2014 if that\u2019s the case with your dog, you can move on to the next step straight away.<\/p>\n If not, you\u2019ll need to start by rewarding your dog for showing an interest in the toy. The reward could be:<\/p>\n Choose whatever works best for your dog, and use it to help him\/her realise that putting the toy in their mouth will lead to good things.<\/p>\n For example, you could reward your Staffy with a game of tug of war when they pick up their favourite chew toy, or give them a treat just for sniffing the toy and showing an interest in it.<\/p>\n \u00a0Before too long, your dog should be willing to chase the toy when you throw it a short distance.<\/p><\/div>\n Now comes the key: teaching your Staffy to actually bring the toy back to you<\/a>. Here\u2019s where your reserves of patience can come in handy, as your dog may decide they\u2019d rather:<\/p>\n Happily, there are a few simple steps you can take to overcome these problems:<\/p>\n Get excited<\/span><\/b> Use treats<\/span><\/b> Start small<\/span><\/b> Play in the hallway<\/span><\/b> Minimise distractions<\/span><\/b> Relinquishing the ball or toy is another part of fetch many dogs struggle with. In fact, it is probably the biggest hurdle.<\/p>\n When your Staffy brings the item back to you, place your flat palm under her mouth and say \u201cdrop it\u201d. If he or she doesn\u2019t drop the item \u2014 and many dogs won\u2019t at first \u2014 you can grab hold of the toy and repeat the \u201cdrop it\u201d command.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t want to try and yank the toy out of your dog\u2019s grasp or get into a game of tug of war<\/strong>. This part of the process isn\u2019t a game, so stay calm and patient until your Staffy understands what you want them to do. Make sure to give your dog a treat as a reward for dropping the item.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s it! With a little bit of practice, repetition and patience (a lot of patience in some cases!), your dog should be playing fetch like an old pro. They’ll be giving your one heck of a workout once they realise just how much fun it is.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For a real challenge, you might want to train your Staffy to fetch other items<\/a> around the house. As an example, you might want your pup to fetch your slippers of an evening or bring you the TV remote when it\u2019s just out of reach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t![\"How](\"https:\/\/smilingstaffy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-to-teach-a-staffy-to-fetch.jpg\" "\\"How")
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTraining your Staffy to fecth – Step-by-Step<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
1. Chase<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
2. Fetch<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Entice your dog to bring the toy back to you by calling them back in an excited voice. If your pup thinks you\u2019ll be very happy to see them when they return, they will be much more likely to come back to you.<\/p>\n
Treats once again come in handy when you want to call your dog back to you. Your dog is a lot less likely to wander off if there\u2019s a reward on offer.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t just fling the toy far into the distance and expect your dog to retrieve it straight away. Start by throwing it just a short way away, where it\u2019ll still be easy for your dog to focus on you after picking up the toy.<\/p>\n
If your dog wants to run away and be chased after fetching the toy, try playing in a hallway or some other narrow area. This gives your Staffy little choice but to come back to you.<\/p>\n
Until your dog is reliably fetching the toy and returning it to you, it\u2019s important to limit distractions as much as possible. This will ensure that his attention is entirely on you, and make them a lot less likely to wander off mid-game.<\/div>\n3. Drop<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Training a Dog to Fetch Specific Items<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n