Training your Boston Terrier to fetch is a great way to bond with your pup and keep them physically active.
With the right motivation and consistent practice, you can teach your dog this fun game in no time!
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started.
Teaching Your Boston Terrier How To Fetch
Teaching your Boston Terrier how to fetch is important. It helps you spend time and bond with your pup, and it also keeps them active. With practice, you can teach them this game quickly!
Step by Step: How to teach your Boston to fetch
Step 1: Choose a Toy for Your Boston to Fetch
The first step is choosing a toy that you want your Boston to fetch. For this exercise, it’s best to use something lightweight like a tennis ball or a small rubber toy.
Make sure it’s small enough for your pup’s mouth, and they can easily carry it around without too much strain.
It should also be durable enough so your dog won’t destroy it too quickly!
Step 2: Start with the Basics
Begin by teaching your Boston two simple words – “take” and “fetch.” Show them the toy, say ‘take’ then give them the reward when they grab it in their mouth.
Now, start throwing the toy and say ‘fetch’ every time you do so. Give your dog lots of praise as soon as they return with the toy in their mouth, and give them a treat as well. This will help motivate them to continue playing fetch!
Step 3: Increase Distance Gradually
Once your Boston has mastered taking and returning the toy, gradually increase the distance that you throw it away from you. This will help build up their endurance levels. Make sure not to throw it too far, however – as this could overwhelm your Boston or make them scared of going too far away from you!
While increasing distance, keep using positive reinforcement such as treats and verbal praise when they return with the item successfully.
Step 4: Change Up Your Rewards
Offering treats every time may eventually lead to them getting bored. To make things more interesting, switch up rewards once in a while so that there is something new for them each time they finish playing fetch with you!
You could also try offering toys instead of treats if that works better for both of you!
Tips For Teaching Your Boston To Fetch
- Make sure to always use positive reinforcement when teaching your Boston to fetch.
- Always start with shorter distances until they become more comfortable with the game.
- Change up rewards occasionally to keep them motivated and interested.
- If your Boston Terrier gets tired, take a break and try again later.
- If your pup isn’t responding to verbal commands, try hand signals instead.
- Most importantly, have fun!
How long will it take to teach my Boston Terrier to play fetch?
It is going to take, on average, 12+ tries before your Boston is going to pick up on this new command.
These findings come from a poll conducted on the Boston Terrier Society’s Twitter community. With over 44+ Boston Parents responding, the majority state it takes their Boston 12+ attempts before they learn a new command.
See the poll here…I may have spelled try funny, but the information is all the same 🙂
Are there commands my Boston should know before I teach them to fetch?
Yes, it is important for your Boston Terrier to know some basic commands before you teach them how to fetch. Commands such as sit, stay, and come are essential for teaching any dog a new skill.
Read: 10 Most Important Commands To Teach Your Boston Terrier!
What NOT to do when teaching your Boston Terrier to fetch
When teaching your Boston Terrier to fetch, it is important that you do not rush your pup or get frustrated with them. Fetching is a game of patience, and the more you push your Boston, the less likely they are to pick up on the skill.
Also, avoid using negative reinforcement, such as scolding or punishing your dog if they don’t pick up the skill quickly. This will only discourage them and make them less likely to want to play fetch.
Finally, avoid playing too rough with your Boston while they are learning this skill. This can lead to potential injury, and it can also destroy their enthusiasm for the game, so make sure to keep playtime gentle!
Video – Sometimes Your Boston Does NOT want to play Fetch!
In this video, Bella, my Boston Terrier, is not into playing fetch with my two year old lol
Final Thoughts
With patience and consistency, training your Boston Terrier to fetch can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both you and your Boston! The key is staying motivated by providing positive reinforcement, such as verbal praise or treats when they succeed at bringing back the item thrown by you. Have fun bonding with your four-legged friend as they learn how to play fetch like a pro!
If you want to learn more commands and tricks you can teach your Boston Terrier, be sure to visit our article, 49 Commands And Tricks You Can Teach Your Boston!