Bigby's New Home

[southseattle_65]

So, we adopted a doggie from the county shelter - yesterday. Bigby, a 22 month Cavalier King Charles spaniel mixed with something else (he just looks to me like a large version of that breed). Here's the whole story

Comments

[chapel_of_words]

If this is remedial let me know, but here's how you teach a dog to fetch and "play" with toys if they've never been taught.

Take his favorite toy (the reindeer) and get him to play tug of war which should be pretty natural. Then throw it a few inches away, just a few. If he goes to pick it up clap and emotionally reward, then when he brings it back do so as well. Teach him by generally increasing the distance by a few inches, then a few feet each time. Remember to reward when they pick it up, but more so when they bring it back to your hand. Dogs are very smart, they'll pick up quickly and test you by dropping it a few feet away. Pretending to ignore them will encourage them to pick it up and try dropping it closer/in your hand.

If your kid likes fetch its something you can play on walks, in the field, or while watching TV. I've also noticed that the practice of playing fetch gets dogs used to what toys are "fun" to play with, and at least mine, tend to play with on their own if left to their own devices (tossing it up, shaking it around, carrying it around etc.)

Just be careful, if your kid *really* likes fetch, they will want to play it *all* the time. =)

Good luck!

Tim C.

[chapel_of_words]

Oh as a followup, the toys that you play fetch with the most will smell like you. That alone will help allevie the lonliness if the dog has something that smells like his "pack" around him, even if no one else is. So that's a bonus as well.

Tim C.

[southseattle_65]

He has no problems at all playing fetch, tug of war, going for a run outside (I'm not so good at that part). It's when I'm watching tv and he's just sitting there. To me it looks bored and I don't want him to be bored.

But yeah, I saw a toy that lets you put something like a sock inside it. Something that smells like you a lot so they can "play with you" while you're gone.

BTW, when are you going to get on Facebook?