What’s your favorite game to play with your dog? It’s probably fetch, being a popular choice for dog parents. Fetch is one of the oldest dog games and is a common command when tossing a stick, ball, or another object for your dog to catch. So, what’s the scoop on National Fetch Day? Let’s dig in to find out!
How National Fetch Day Got Started
The creators of “Chuckit!”, a dog toy company, founded National Fetch Day. Since then, they’ve collaborated with bars and restaurants to create a fun, dog-friendly environment.
Chuckit! was founded in 1998 after the dog parents of Chester, a Retriever, created an iconic ball launcher to keep up with him. What’s unique about this ball launcher is that it makes throwing the ball easier and has a slobber-free pickup feature!
In 2013, Chuckit! found a home in Arlington, Texas, when the local pet company, Petmate, brought on Chuckit! to sell their fetch dog toys with their company.
Chuckit! celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018 to commemorate the creation of its dog ball launcher. In 2019, Chuckit! took National Fetch Day national through collaborating events with bars and restaurants around the country.
Not even 2020 could stop National Fetch Day with Chuckit! encouraging dog parents to celebrate at home. With what else but a good game of fetch?!
How to Celebrate National Fetch Day
Now that life is returning to normal, personal events have made a triumphant return! 2022 is Chuckit!’s fifth year as a dog holiday, so they have events in several cities throughout the country.
Whether you’re close to the official celebrations or not, you can still celebrate National Fetch Day in your own way! Primarily, you must spend time with your dog by playing a good old-fashioned game of fetch. So, grab their favorite toy, a ball, or find a perfect throwing stick to let the fun begin!
If you want to gather your fellow dog parents, invite friends and family to join you at a dog-friendly location. Some bars or restaurants that allow pups usually have a specific lawn or indoor area for playtime.
New Ways to Play Fetch
Put a fresh spin on the classic game of fetch to switch it up! But how can such a simple game have new ways to play? This is where you’ll have to get creative and brainstorm. Toss a ball or stick for your dog and think of how else you can play this game.
One new way to play is to gather fellow dog parents and play your own version of frisbee golf. Imagine how much fun everyone’s dogs could have jumping and diving to catch multiple frisbees! The name of the game will be humans versus dogs. Try to get the frisbee in the goalpost before the dogs catch it.
Brainstorm other new ways to play with your friends while playing fetch with your dogs. The important thing is to have fun and celebrate the best bonding game to play with dogs!
How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch
Does your dog know how to play fetch? Sometimes, it’s difficult to find green space in the city. This scenario means that some pups don’t know how to play a classic game of fetch! There’s only so much you can do indoors, so try to find a dog park near your apartment to practice.
Any dog can learn the game of fetch, but some dog breeds are more receptive to bringing the thrown object back to you. These breeds include Labradors, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers.
To teach your dog to fetch:
- Introduce them to the object you’ll throw for them to chase after and retrieve.
- Toss the object, whether it’s a toy, ball, or stick, and reward your dog for picking it up.
- Start with a short distance and gradually throw it farther away.
Next, you must teach your dog how to pick up the object and give it back to you. Then, toss the object again, but call your dog back after they’ve picked it up. If your dog returns to you with the object, reward them with praise and a treat. This may take some time for some dogs to understand, so give positive reinforcement if they aren’t bringing the object back.
Some dogs can get distracted or want to run off with the thrown object. Remember that it takes time, practice, and patience, even for a simple game of fetch. So have treats ready and have fun. After all, that’s what National Fetch Day is all about!
Do you have a favorite game to play with your dog? Will you participate in National Fetch Day with your dog and fellow dog parents? Let us know your plans in our official Porch Potty Facebook group! We would love your thoughts and photos of your dog’s fetch game!