Bringing Back Toys – Problem Solving

I’ve been asked countless times, “How do you get your dog to bring back toys?” People face this issue in play time and in obedience when they give the toy as a reward. It is one of the great conflicts between dog and human to fight the dog to get them to bring the toy back, especially since you just gave it to him or her.

Usually a fight or a game ensues. You wrestle the dog for the toy r chase him or her around the field trying to get back the toy. All of this further cements the conflict in the dog’s mind that bringing back the toy ENDS THE GAME.

In this lesson I show you how to change your dog’s perspective on the game and make bringing the toy back the better game and one that your dog will LOVE. Follow along in the lesson and pay attention to the details and the finer points. Your dog MUST understand that bringing the toy back to you STARTS the GAME!

Keywords for this lesson: problem solving, toys, rewards, retrieve, obedience,

The Primary Steps:
1. Start by playing 2 ball. Every time your dog sees you, you have another toy – the exact same toy!
2. Make your toy more exciting than the toy the dog has.
3. Use a long line so that if the dog doesn’t bring the toy back, you can step on the line and BRING him BACK!
4. Once the dog understands this, start by engaging the dog with the toy he or she has in his mouth.
5. If you’re using a ball, be sure it has a strong attached.
6. This concept mainly works with dogs who have more fight drive. Fight drive is also the core behavior of the dog that will have him playing keep away.

*** Not every dog will play with toys. Train the toy you have along the lines of his or her personality. Don’t try to make the dog into someone he or she isn’t!