How to Train a Welsh Corgi Puppy to Fetch a Ball
- 1). Play with your corgi close to you. Roll a ball around you in close proximity. You will have to get your dog interested in the ball. Keep the ball within arm's reach.
- 2). Give the command "fetch." Your dog will need to know what fetch means for him. When the ball is away from you and your dog takes hold of it, gently pull it toward you and command "fetch." Your dog will learn that bringing the ball to you is the appropriate response for "fetch."
- 3). Offer a treat each time you complete a cycle of getting your corgi to come towards you with the ball. This will reinforce that he is doing what you want him to.
- 4). Move the ball further away once you have the corgi interested in the ball and he knows that returning it to you will gain him a treat. Continue to command him to fetch and reward him when he returns the ball to you.
- 5). Throw the ball once you have repeated the process enough times and feel satisfied that he is returning the ball each time. Throw it a short distance to start. Reward your dog when he returns it . Gradually increase the distance that you throw it.
- 6). Remove the treats as reinforcement. Once your corgi knows what is expected of him, he will repeat the fetching as a way to please you and to get you to throw the ball again. Rewarding him with treats should not be needed at this point. Praise is sufficient.
- 7). Practice daily if possible. The sure way to make sure your corgi continues to retain his training is to practice the trick as much as you can.
