Help teaching a puppy to catch

[keabird]

I am really excited to get Kea (our border collie puppy) into frisbee. The only trick is teaching her to catch things that are thrown for her. Even with a tasty treat she watches hit the floor, even if it is headed right at her mouth. She is 5 months old so I know she still has a lot to learn. Any suggestions or tips on how to teach a dog to catch?

 

[dogsarebetter]

i am glad you asked! i was wanting to know the exact same thing. i hope someone can help us out

 

[Dizzy]

It's just one of those things they pic up eventually

Bodhi was rubbish, she'd just let it thwack her head lol!!

But not she LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVES her toys, and LOVES balls, she just picked it up one day and that was that!

 

[bubbatd]

It will happen !! Just don't make them jump too high until their bones have matured .

 

[MyLittleChowChow]

We had a dog that would catch her treats. I dont remember doing anything special, just standing close to her and pretty much dropping it, when she'd catch it would make a big deal of it. Then started standing back farther away from her and tossing treats for her to catch. Never have gotten one to catch frisbees.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I wouldn't push it- it wil eventually happen.

We wondered if Buddy was ever going to learn the concept behind catching the ball when it was thrown to him and bringing it back, lol. No, really. I thought my goodness, we have a lab/pointer/GD mix that does NOT fetch.

Bwaahahahhaah. That changed. We can't keep the tennis balls away from him and water? Oh heck yeah.. water he lives for.

I would say he didn't really learn until, hmmmm, 7 or 8 months and then he just got better and better.

In due time!

 

[otch1]

At this age he is teething. Adults coming in, gums often very sore for some pups. Start with soft objects only and stick to that for awhile longer. Teaching retrieveing during teething phase can really turn them off to it in a hurry. Especially if they start to associate object with discomfort.

 

[Rubylove]

Catching I believe is something dogs either `get' or they don't. If they don't it can take quite a lot of work! Chester just always caught things naturally and is such a champ at it. Ruby freaks out if you throw something at her...lol. She's still learning but I just don't know if she'll ever `get' it. LOL.

 

[makka619]

Let your pup see another dog that can catch. I was throwing treats to two dogs I was looking after, they caught every single one, no matter how far or bad my throws were. My brother's pup watched and every now and then I'd throw one his way, he watched them come towards him but didn't open his mouth. They just bounced off of his nose. It was funny.

After a while he actually started opening his mouth when I threw one to him, and caught a couple.

 

[Rubylove]

Let your pup see another dog that can catch. I was throwing treats to two dogs I was looking after, they caught every single one, no matter how far or bad my throws were. My brother's pup watched and every now and then I'd throw one his way, he watched them come towards him but didn't open his mouth. They just bounced off of his nose. It was funny.

After a while he actually started opening his mouth when I threw one to him, and caught a couple.

Yes, they really do learn by example. And if your pup just happens to catch something accidentally you really need to act as if you've just won the lottery. Instantaneous over-the-top triumph, joy and congratulations - the biggest fuss in the world. He'll catch on

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

All you have to do is "ring" the mouth one time with a goodie, and the dog will begin really TRYING to catch.

Get your dog panting, get some good treats, and toss for the open mouth. Eventually you will be successful.

I have found it helpful to show the dog the treat, and make a slow motion tossing motion once or twice so the dog focuses on your hand and the treat, and then toss on the 3rd time. Toss with an underhand motion so the food makes a little arc ending at (or IN if you are lucky) the dog's mouth.

Keep the dog on a leash, and DO NOT let it pick up pieces off the floor that it misses.

This one exercise will tell you how important time rewards is in training dogs, because most dogs "get it" after they catch the food the very first time.