Catch - How To Teach Video
Two Methods
Equipment - Toys/ or Food Treats
Prequisites - Dogs need to know sit and possibly wait.
Toy Method -
This is the method I have used on three dogs that I have trained. Including puppies.
Put the dog into a sit, kneel in front of the dog or you can stand. Dog is off lead.
Get a soft stuffed toy, you are about 1/2 a foot to a foot away from the dog, throw toy towards dogs mouth. Underarm throw and very softly. As you throw toy dog say catch. Dog will probably miss first few goes which is okay. Keep perservering. If the dog misses the toy, be sure to get to it, before the dog does. He only gets the toy when he catches it himself. Big reward when he catches the toy, such as fetch, or praise, whatever the dog likes. Once the dog gets the hand of it tell him to wait, before throwing the toy. Then start moving further away and try different articles. Don't use a kong or tennis ball to start with as they are too hard for a dog just beginning. This trick may take a few sessions so be patient and keep it fun. If the dog misses the article, don;t tell him off, just keep trying, some dogs take a while to get coordinated.
You can even try balancing a tennis ball on your dogs nose and tell him to catch. My dog does this very well.
Food Method -
Same as above, but use food instead. Good food to use, popcorn, rice crackers, pieces of bread. Food that to easy to see and soft and sort of floats. Rice crackers are good because they float.
If at anytime the dog does not catch the food treat, do not let the dog have the treat. Don't tell him off. Just don't let him have the treat, he will try harder for it next time. You could also try this trick before meal time. When you throw the food to the dog, you are trying to actually throw it into his mouth, make it easy for him, until he gets the hang of it.
