How to teach a dog to bring a stick: 10 ways

Training a dog is an essential part of its upbringing, training and life. First, the dog learns to perform simple commands, and then moves on to more complex skills. “Aport” is considered a difficult team, for its implementation the pet should build a logical chain in the head. But if you teach your favorite team to bring an abandoned stick, this will be a great achievement.

What is the use of the Aport team

1. When a dog searches for a stick thrown by the owner, it focuses on the terrain, trains its sense of smell.
2. If you manage to teach your dog the Aport team, it means that you built a logical chain in his head - the owner threw the stick, I brought it and got a treat. This is an excellent training of the animal’s mental abilities.
3. This exciting game will help you to diversify your walks, the dog will run more, which means it is better to sleep. In fact, the quality and duration of walks is one of the main conditions for a dog to feel good.
4. There are two types of execution of the Aport command. First, the dog immediately runs after an abandoned stick or other object (for example, it could be a ball). The second type of task execution - the owner throws a stick, gives the Aport command, and only after that the dog begins the search. The second type of command execution teaches the dog iron endurance, patience and discipline.
5. After the found stick is brought, it must be returned to the owner. This teaches the dog how to control his own emotions. That is, no matter how interesting, the stick must be returned.
6. Executing the Aport command will allow you to use it for your own purposes - for example, bring home slippers.

So, now we realized that this command is incredibly useful and every self-respecting dog should know it. But how do you teach the Aport team your pet yourself? And is this possible without the help of experienced dog breeders?

When to train

During training, the dog should be calm, not hungry, balanced. Should be practiced in a good mood, this applies to both the owner and the dog. No need to do it from under the stick, it will not bring any benefit, only irritation.

It’s best to train in the open, so that the dog does not bother anything. It is best to do this in a spacious corridor or in the courtyard of your own home.

Usually the Aport team is taught puppies at the age of four months. Kids who are less than two months old will not be able to master the team - they are too playful at this age. Training adult dogs is much more difficult, although it is possible. Experienced breeders know that it is best to take advantage of the period when the puppy's teeth grow and itch. At this time, he will be happy to run for a stick. Fangs are cut in puppies in 3-4 months.

How to teach a dog to bring a stick

So, let's get down to class.

1. Go out into the open, the dog should be on a leash. Find a suitable stick that the puppy can easily grip between his teeth.
2. Tease her dog. Play with the stick so that the dog tries to bite it. It is very important to interest your pet. You can twist the stick right in front of the dog's muzzle, kick the stick with your feet, and toss it up. The main thing is to irritate the pet.
3. When the stick interested your dog, drop it a short distance, not more than two meters.
4. Next, you need to monitor the reaction of the animal. If he ran for a stick - well, if not, you need to pull him to her with a leash.
5. Next, when the dog lifts a stick from the ground, we say the command “Aport”.If the dog does not want to raise the stick, tease it again, but this time we are allowed to take it in its mouth. It is very important to let the dog understand that “Aport” is raising a stick from the ground.
6. After the dog itself has picked up the item, call it by giving the command "To me." If the dog does not want to do this and is carried away by a new toy, pull it on the leash. In the event that you yourself, along with the dog went for an abandoned stick, you need to return to its original place.
7. Sometimes it happens that a dog can tune up and start running away from you, believing that it is such fun entertainment. Do not indulge the pet and pull it on the leash to show that it should return to its original place.
8. After that, grab a tight grip on the free end of the stick and say "Give." Prepare a treat in advance, which you can exchange for the stick brought by the dog. Your pet will inadvertently release the end of the stick to eat the proposed treat.
9. But sometimes it happens that a new toy is more expensive for him than your piece of sausage, in this case you need to raise the face of the animal with a stick clamped in its mouth, and then stroke the lower part of the jaw. The dog will experience slight discomfort and let go of the item.
10. After this, be sure to pet and praise your pet. Show him intonationally that he did everything right.

Gradually, over time, you need to complicate the exercise and not help the dog. She should not run back to you with the “To me” command, but as soon as she finds a stick. And you need to give it right away, and not as an exchange for a treat. But all this will come over time, after regular classes. Usually a dog learns to fully perform the Aport command after 1-2 weeks of daily training.

In order for the dog to enjoy activities, there should not be too many of them. Stop training as soon as you see that the dog is bored. Ask to execute 2-3 “Aport” commands, then switch his attention to other actions. Thus, the training will be in the form of a game.

A dog, in essence, is a predatory animal. In her blood, chasing prey and bringing it to a stronger pack (that is, to the owner). Just tell your pet what you want from him. The right reaction and timely encouragement will help you train even the most stubborn dog.

Video: how to teach a dog Aport team