No balls!

[littlepinkfizz]

Our wee Lola, a beautiful boxer puppy 8 weeks ,loves playing fetch,however comes bak to us without the ball! Most people seem to have trouble getting the toy off their dog,but Lola, even though she loves her toy comes back enthusiastically without it! How can I get her to come back with her ball :)

[Stoney666]

We were told to give a treat each time he goes back to the object and touches it. Greedy guts just got used to
Getting food and at 16 weeks still can't be bothered to
Fetch any item back lol xx

[daisydotandgertie]

Blimey, she's only 8 weeks old! Maybe lower your expectations a weeny bit? She probably hasn't even got full control of her limbs yet.

She isn't a retriever by breed, so won't have the instinct to bring things back to you and she may never get it. But, if you really want her to, put a light house line on her, throw the ball a little way from you and gently guide her back towards you using the line. If she brings the ball, even a little way then praise like mad.

She really is too young for that sort of thing though - she hasn't been home with you for more than a few days and she won't have a bloody clue about what's going on. Your puppy won't be playing like a proper puppy for another couple of weeks - she's still a real baby, tbh.

Chasing is quite a high impact activity for a young pup with regard to joints and possible damage - especially for a pup that will grown very quickly indeed into quite a big dog. I wouldn't do it personally for quite some time to come - possibly gently at 12-16 weeks. There are lots of other things she can do.

[CakeMeIAmYours]

I thought the same when ours was a tiny pup, but PP are right, 'fetch' has to be taught, its not instinctive (even with a retrieving breed like ours)

Also agree that the less running an 8wo puppy does the better.

[littlepinkfizz]

I don't have her really running! I only throw it about 50cm from where I am sitting on the kitchen floor! Can't imagine that would do her any harm .will leave her to enjoy goi g to it first then for a while, then try some more. Had always thought and read that the earlier you teach pups to do things( within limits) the better

[daisydotandgertie]

In many ways you're right BUT your dog was only born 8 weeks ago and retrieving a ball isn't that important a skill in the scheme of things.

What is important to teach at this age is sit, wait, come and walk to heel. And get those commands absolutely bullet proof which will take quite some months.

I was thinking of the other thread about your dog too, in the back of my mind and had an overall feeling that you may be expecting too much, too soon in terms of adult style play.

Just for info - I have recently seen a series of X-rays taken of a dog's hips, starting at 8 weeks and finishing at about a year old. At 8 weeks there are great areas of bone which just haven't yet formed around the hip sockets and there is significant scope for damaging these very important joints. Things change massively by 20 weeks, but despite a very interesting thread on here to the contrary some months ago, I remain convinced that great care needs to be taken with a young pup - particularly a big breed dog.

So, no coming downstairs, no jumping out of a car boot, avoid as much big strain and impact on those joints as possible for the next few weeks. It doesn't mean get neurotic, or stop her being a puppy but carry her downstairs, and lift her out of the boot for example.

Maybe roll the ball about for her to follow this week, and up the game a little more next week instead?

[littlepinkfizz]

You could be right daisy - not that I'm expecting too much , just that don't want to leave it too late to start teaching her things. I appreciate your advice- you sound like you know what your about. Any books/ websites you could recommend for me on age appropriate training? X

[YouveCatToBeKittenMe]

Don't do it...