Your Dog — November 2017

36 Your Dog November 2017 http://www.yourdog.co.uk

BRUSH U

YOUR

BASICS

Retrieving skills can

be both practical

and fun — Carolyn

Menteith explains

how to teach

your dog this

basic command.

T

he excuse many dog owners give for not training their dogs

is: “Well, I just didn’t see any point!” It’s easy for some

people to look at the old-fashioned type of dog training

and not see any relevance for them and their dog. In this series,

we’ve been looking at ‘traditional’ obedience exercises, and how,

rather than being deathly dull, staid, pointless formalities, they can

become useful life skills.

This month, however, we are looking at an exercise which

is worth teaching your dog for fun, and to enhance your walks

together (as well as being something you can do in the house

for enjoyment).

Having a dog who will bring things back to you when you throw

them, or go and get an object when you ask him to, is not only

really useful, but gives you a whole new way to play and interact

with your dog.

This means that when you are out and about, you can take

toys with you to make walks more enjoyable, give your dog more

exercise, and deepen the bond between you as you share in the

joy and fun of your walks, rather than plodding around the park or

countryside ignoring each other.

WHEN THE RETRIEVE IS USEFUL...

You can play retrieve games

in the house for fun, exercise,

and interaction (be careful on

slippery fl oors, near stairs,

or glass doors, and if on

a rug, make sure it is stuck

to the fl oor and not loose).

This is also a good interactive

exercise for bad weather

days or for owners with

restricted mobility.

Take a toy with you

when you go on walks

(or two toys if you

think your dog might

not want to give it

back!). When you are in

a safe, open space, you

can throw the toy for

your dog to chase and

bring back.

Images: Bob Atkins.

36-38 yd basic CS(SW).indd 36 22/09/2017 12:31