chris nanney
New member
How good/adept/responsive are Newfs to fetching and retrieveing balls? Is this something they typically are good at or want to do?
Fetching
- Thread starter chris nanney
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Leonard and his bud Snuffles
Active member
Snuffle does it (Frisbees rope toys sticks as well as balls), but doesn't always want to let go when he comes back.
courtney77
New member
I would be interested in learning more about this too. My family has a total of four Labrador Retrievers and I'd like for Steely to be able to give them a run for their money! ; )
ina/puusty
New member
HB..without a single expression of regret..ignored them, has continued to ignore..and thus..Kesa..having watched the spirited 'thrown ball and retrieve'..that the renters lab does..will..join in. However..after a couple of months..she has more often now..chosen to sit with HB..and watch..from the sidelines. ina n HB n Kesa
ward_hill
New member
Buckley, four months old, hasn't yet shown any inclination to fetch, but I've been concentrating on basic obedience stuff. We generally do playtime with toys on the floor inside.
My knowledge about water work is zero, but would think that "fetching" would be a key component of rescue exercises.
Experts? ...
My knowledge about water work is zero, but would think that "fetching" would be a key component of rescue exercises.
Experts? ...
2newfs4now
New member
Max would rather take a nap and Charlie will fetch only when it's to his advantage...like, for attention. At best Charlie will bring back a toy maybe three times. Now Koda is another story...of course, he is a lab (shh! he thinks he's just small for a Newf and has a hair growth problem)
Prdmary
New member
Sometimes you can put a toy on a string and drag it on the ground to bring in "prey drive" then when they are excited about it, give it a little toss. Then, if you're lucky and trot over and pick it up, call them to you......if the coming back is an issue, you can put a long line on them and then when you call them gently pull them to you, tell them GIVE, pop a treat in their mouth and then praise like crazy! Ha!
Brody the Newf
New member
I read somewhere that a puppy needs to learn how to fetch before the age of 5 months (don't ask me what article because I don't remember). I told Brody's dad a few days before Brody turned 5 months old and then he was on a mission. He started out with two of the exact same balls and threw one ball a few feet and ecouraged Brody to go get it. When Brody did, he increased the distance.
Fetch isn't Brody's favorite game but he will play it to amuse us.
Fetch isn't Brody's favorite game but he will play it to amuse us.
RhodyNewf
New member
Morgan loves fetch, however, she grew up with a retriever, which I think has something to do with it. I also read the 5 months old thing, in GOLDEN RETRIEVERS FOR DUMMIES (hahaha) for the instance that your retriever did not already know how to retrieve, they said you have to teach them by five months old.
Even though she loves it, she will not play for hours like a retriever. She would prefer to bark orders at the retrievers as the play.
I also read that if you want to teach your dog to catch (treats or toys) that it must be done early as well, or else they are more apt to be fearful of things flying at their heads.
Even though she loves it, she will not play for hours like a retriever. She would prefer to bark orders at the retrievers as the play.
I also read that if you want to teach your dog to catch (treats or toys) that it must be done early as well, or else they are more apt to be fearful of things flying at their heads.
R Taft
Active member
Ours have all retrieved, but unlike some of our working dogs, they are not mannic and after a few times go " now it is your turn, I have had enough". We have always made fun out of it and they love fun. But the work dogs are soooooo much faster, so we have to give Annabelle opportunity by herself. Even Tessa is faster. But Annabelle often retrieves it from the other dogs mouth as they are getting out of the water or near us.And gives us the object. It is a less tiring method :lol: and quite clever I think.
NewfMom
New member
Katala loves to fetch. Kimber was sure it was beneath her. We tried to teach her when she was young but it clearly was something she was enduring, not enjoying.
Someone mentioned prey drive and I think fetch must be related to it. Katala has a very high prey drive and the squirrels and chipmunks have already gotten a lot warier. If Katala could figure out how to climb a tree to get critters she would. She hunts bugs too.
Kimber had absolutely no prey drive. I once saw a vole run 2 inches from her nose and she didn't even lift her head. She caught our son's hamster once and then couldn't figure out what to do with it. She returned it unharmed.
Somebody told a story on here once I've always remembered. Their newf didn't like to fetch. The neighbor was over and kept throwing the ball. After the third retrieve their newf had had enough. The newf brought the ball back. Dropped it on the ground in front of the neighbor, then squatted and peed on the ball.
Someone mentioned prey drive and I think fetch must be related to it. Katala has a very high prey drive and the squirrels and chipmunks have already gotten a lot warier. If Katala could figure out how to climb a tree to get critters she would. She hunts bugs too.
Kimber had absolutely no prey drive. I once saw a vole run 2 inches from her nose and she didn't even lift her head. She caught our son's hamster once and then couldn't figure out what to do with it. She returned it unharmed.
Somebody told a story on here once I've always remembered. Their newf didn't like to fetch. The neighbor was over and kept throwing the ball. After the third retrieve their newf had had enough. The newf brought the ball back. Dropped it on the ground in front of the neighbor, then squatted and peed on the ball.
Diana
New member
Teddy is only allowed to retrieve in the water (since his cruciate injury). He'll happily bring the ball back a few times...but he kind of has dog ADHD - any distraction and the ball goes floating away.
His absolute favorite thing though is stealing balls from other dogs, even when he has his own...even if they're exactly the same.
His absolute favorite thing though is stealing balls from other dogs, even when he has his own...even if they're exactly the same.
Bär
Active member
Bär is not to big a fan of fetch, he gets the toy [kong, rope etc.] a couple of times, then looks at you as if to say "Isn't it about time you got of your but & go fetch".
He does like to catch & is good at it. But his favoriete is carrying his toys, even on a walk he likes to carry something. A favoriete treat always has to be carried through the house before it can be eaten.
He does like to catch & is good at it. But his favoriete is carrying his toys, even on a walk he likes to carry something. A favoriete treat always has to be carried through the house before it can be eaten.
