She chases, grabs, returns, and outs. Now add structure. The complete fetch sequence builds impulse control, obedience, and communication into every single rep. This is where fetch becomes a training tool, not just a ball throw.
The Complete Fetch Sequence
Sit (obedience gate)
→ Hold (2-5 seconds, building impulse control)
→ "GET IT" or throw cue → She chases
→ Grab → Return → Out
→ Obedience (sit, down, or sequence)
→ Throw again (reward for obedience)
→ Repeat 8-12 reps
Breaking It Down
The Wait:
- She’s in a sit. Ball is in your hand.
- Hold the ball up. She’ll want to chase immediately.
- If she breaks the sit → ball goes behind your back. Ask for sit again.
- She holds the sit for 2 seconds → throw the ball. The throw is the reward for waiting.
- Build the wait: 2 seconds → 3 → 5. Variable — sometimes 1 second, sometimes 5. Don’t let her predict.
The Release Cue:
- Use a consistent word: “GET IT” or “FETCH” or “GO”
- Say it as you throw. She learns: that word means chase.
- Later, she’ll hold position until she hears the word even if the ball is in the air. That’s advanced impulse control.
The Return:
- Two-toy method still applies if she’s not reliably returning
- As her return strengthens, phase out the second toy and use the same ball
- When she returns → “OUT” → she drops → you pick up → obedience → throw = reward
Between-Rep Obedience:
- After each return and out, ask for something before the next throw
- Start simple: just a sit
- Build to: sit → hold 3 seconds → throw
- Then: down → hold 3 seconds → throw
- Then: sit → down → throw (sequenced)
- The throw is always the reward. Obedience is the ticket.
Teaching the Wait Before the Throw
This is the fetch version of the obedience gate from tug. Same principle, applied to a ball.
Progression
Level 1: Ball visible, short wait
- Ball in hand, held at your side
- “Sit” → she sits → wait 1 second → throw
- If she breaks position: ball goes behind your back, restart
Level 2: Ball in motion, hold position
- Ball in hand, lift it to throwing position (but don’t throw)
- She holds the sit → throw
- If she breaks: lower your arm, ask for sit again
- She’s learning: my movement doesn’t mean go. Only the word means go.
Level 3: Fake throws
- Pump your arm like you’re throwing but don’t release
- She holds → YES → real throw
- She breaks → reset, no throw
- This builds serious impulse control. She’s overriding prey drive with handler focus.
Level 4: Ball in the air, hold position (advanced)
- Toss the ball but don’t release her. She holds her sit while the ball bounces.
- Wait 1-2 seconds → “GET IT” → she chases
- This is the final form. She holds position through maximum temptation because she trusts that the release is coming.
Adding Variety
Once the basic sequence is smooth, vary it to keep her thinking:
Direction variety:
- Throw left, right, behind you (she has to run past you), short, long
- Bouncing throws, rolling throws, high pop-ups
- She should chase anything you throw in any direction
Obedience variety between reps:
- Sit only
- Down only
- Sit → down → sit → throw
- Hand touch → throw
- Spin → throw (if she knows it)
- The obedience is always different. She has to listen, not pattern-match.
Reward variety:
- Most reps: ball throw is the reward
- Occasionally: treat jackpot instead of a throw (keeps her guessing)
- Occasionally: short tug session between reps (maintains tug drive)
Session Structure
Warm-up:
- Quick tug session (1-2 min) — maintain that foundation
- 3-5 marker reps
Main work:
- Structured fetch: 8-12 reps with full sequence (wait → release → chase → return → out → obedience → throw)
- Keep it crisp. Quality over quantity.
Cool-down:
- Final throw → return → out → calm GOOD sequence
- A few easy obedience reps with treats
- BREAK → session over
Total: 8-10 minutes
Common Problems
She breaks the wait every time:
- Your wait is too long. Back up to 1 second. Build slowly.
- Throw sooner. She needs to succeed before you challenge her.
- Make the wait worth it: when she holds, the throw should be exciting (far, fast, high).
She returns but won’t out:
- Revisit the tug out. Same skill, same command. If it’s not solid in tug, it won’t be solid in fetch.
- Use the two-toy method. Second ball at her nose.
- Don’t chase her. If she runs away with the ball, walk away. Wait. She’ll come back when running alone is boring.
She’s losing interest mid-session:
- You’re doing too many reps. Cut to 5-6 and end.
- Vary the throws more. Same throw every time is boring.
- End one rep early — while she still wants more. Best way to ensure she’s pumped for next session.
She does the obedience but looks deflated:
- You’re asking too much between throws. One sit is enough. Don’t chain five behaviors when she just wants to fetch.
- Make the obedience fast. Quick sit → immediate throw. She should feel like obedience accelerates the game, not slows it down.
Ready to Advance
Move to Stage 3: Going Outside when:
- Melon holds a wait (sit) for 3-5 seconds before the throw, reliably
- She responds to the release cue (“GET IT”) consistently
- She returns to you and outs the ball 8/10 reps without needing the second toy
- She does obedience (sit or down) between reps without losing engagement
- Full sessions flow smoothly — 8-10 reps without falling apart
- You’ve done at least 5-6 sessions at this level
All criteria met across 2-3 consecutive sessions? Time to take it outside.