Most dogs love a good game of fetch, but there's also a select bunch who take the game to an entirely obsessive level. They're the ones who drop a ball at your feet while you're cooking dinner, working at your desk, or doing any random task around the house. And they somehow always know where the ball is hiding, whether it's rolled behind furniture, hidden away in a drawer, lost under a pile of laundry, or stuffed away behind a closed door.
My German Shorthair Pointer, Nabu, is one of these dogs. The biggest thing I've learned through him is that most games of fetch become automatic. Once your dog knows the routine, there's very little thinking involved. You throw the ball, they chase after it, return it to you, and repeat. It's a purely physical output with little to no mental engagement, which is why many dogs seem like they can play fetch forever and ever.
And, more often than not, your dog isn't really all that tired by the end of a fetch session. They may lay down for 15 minutes, but then they're back to bouncing off the walls again.
If this sounds like your dog, here are 5 games for you to try that take the same drive involved with fetch, and turn it into something that will give your dog an off switch. Rather than an endless loop of chase and retrieve, these games will layer patience/impulse control, memory, and physical activity to turn fetch into meaningful enrichment instead of a quick workout.
For these games you can use a training bumper like this one (it's the one we use with our gang!), or your dog's favorite ball or toy. Keep sessions of these games short, about 15 to 20 minutes. Now, let's get into it!
1. Hide and Go Fetch
This is a game that is perfect for indoors (but can easily be done outdoors as well!). Have your dog waiting in another room while you hide their favorite ball. Choose places that are out of sight, such as behind a curtain, under a dog bed, behind a couch pillow, etc.
Release your dog to go find it. Watch them sniff and search, allowing them to work through it. If they seem really stuck, guide them in the general direction of the ball and encourage them to sniff.
When they find the ball, reward by throwing it for a quick round of fetch. Then, reset and repeat!
2. Trajectory Tracking Game
In an open space (backyard or open field/park), sit your dog next to you and throw their toy or bumper in a high, slow arc. You do not want your dog to immediately run after the toy, so as you throw, give your dog a "wait" command.
Make them wait 5 to 10 seconds, then release them to go fetch it. Once that's easy, start stretching that hold time out further.
To add another layer of difficulty, make the toy land in a spot where it may get hidden, such as tall thick grass, just under a bush, or behind a tree. With the toy being out of sight, your dog will have to remember the area where it landed, and use their nose to help them locate it. If you're using a bumper, you can try adding scent to it, like these, to make it more enriching for your dog.
While this game may sound simple, you're asking your dog to track, remember, and resist chasing all at the same time. For a dog with a strong prey drive, this can require a lot of mental work.
3. Directional Retrieves
Sit your dog facing you, then place a toy or bumper a few yards to one side. Extend your arm out towards it and give a directional cue (i.e., left, right, etc.) and send your dog after the toy. Repeat on that side until it's solid, then build out the opposite side, then straight back. Once each direction is reliable on its own, you can introduce 2 toys in opposite directions so your dog learns to go where you send them, not just where they want to go.
When your dog gets really good at this, try tossing the toy or bumper rather than placing it. This will add difficulty for your dog as they will be tempted to immediately chase after it. For bird dogs, this will also simulate the fall of a bird and how your dog would work with you to locate the downed bird based on where you send them.
Gradually increase the distance so that your dog has to run further after the toy.
4. Delayed Mark Retrieve
For this activity, head to a dog-friendly hiking or walking trail. You could also try this in a park/field that is lined with trees and brush. While walking with your dog, drop their toy (or a scented bumper) and keep walking. You may have to give your dog a "leave it" command if they immediately try to go after it. After walking several yards, turn around and send your dog to go find the toy.
If they struggle a bit, guide them to the general area to help them pick up the scent. Give them praise when they find it and, if the terrain permits, you can reward by throwing the toy for them to go fetch.
For more difficulty, increase the distance between you and the dropped toy before sending your dog to go find it.
5. Pressure Cooker Hold
This is another game that can be done indoors or outdoors. Grab your dog's favorite toy and get them riled up. Jump around, wave the toy around... anything to get them excited.
Then, stop all movement and calmly give them a "sit," "down," or "wait" command. Have them hold still for 5 to 10 seconds to start. Then, release with an "okay" command and throw the toy for them to chase after. Reset and repeat, gradually increasing the wait time to 10, 15, 20, and 30 seconds.
While it may not look like a traditional game of fetch, teaching your dog to stay calm before the retrieve is often harder than the retrieve itself. It teaches arousal regulation, which can translate well in real life scenarios such as learning to be calm and steady when the doorbell rings or any other situations where your dog may become over-excited.
Want More Enrichment Ideas?
These five games are just a small sample of what I cover in A Practical Guide to Instinctual Enrichment.
Inside the guide, you'll find an enrichment deck packed with 100+ enrichment ideas with full step-by-step instructions, so you'll never run out of ideas to try.
Whether your dog loves retrieving, sniffing, chasing, solving puzzles, or simply learning something new, you'll have an entire library of activities to keep them mentally and physically fulfilled.