He never played fetch again.
Once upon a time, my niece tried to teach my small dog how to play fetch. She partially succeeded before giving up.
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How My Small Dog Played
My small dog, Rascal, never played fetch before his 'training' from my niece. I tried to teach him, but he never cared to chase after a toy.
When Rascal was a puppy, he used to shake toys and tear the stuffing out. He eventually stopped tearing the stuffing out and only ripped out plushies' eyes and noses. Once he matured, he stopped destroying toys altogether.
Instead, Rascal used to play with my old dog, Shadow. They would rough house indoors and chase one another outdoors. When Shadow passed on playing, Rascal would pounce on his toys or run from me.
Rascal's favorite way to play is with the "claw." With the "claw" game, I raise one or both hands in the air with fingers spread apart (the "claw"). I gasp when I raise my hand, and Rascal would open his mouth as if he is imitating my gasp. He then eagerly waits for me to 'attack' his belly, back, paws, or mouth with scratches. It is a lazy way for us to play anytime, anywhere.
Although Rascal enjoys playtime, he also enjoys lounging. Rascal prefers to lounge where he has a good view of the outdoor scenery.
My niece used to complain (probably still does behind my back) about how my dogs were not treated like dogs. By that, she meant that my dogs did not do tricks like roll over (I never saw the point in teaching my dogs something that would only be performed for show) or play fetch (neither dog played fetch).
Fetch Training
I took my dogs, mom, and niece on a short casino vacation in my RV (Class A motorhome). There were tons of toys for the dogs everywhere. The boys preferred cuddling plushies while resting.
My dogs and I hung out on the campground while my mom and niece gambled at the casino. When they were not in the casino, my niece easily became bored. Out of boredom, she tried to play fetch with my dogs.
When neither of my dogs chased any toy that she threw from one end of the RV to the other, she complained that I did not allow my "dogs to be dogs." She argued that "all dogs play fetch."
I calmly explained that my dogs played in different ways, but she decided to teach Rascal how to play fetch since Shadow was too lazy to do anything that day. I decided to let her proceed with the training while I relaxed in my bedroom.
My bedroom was at the opposite end of the RV where my niece attempted to teach Rascal how to play fetch. I was not witness to her teaching method, but I knew she would not scold or harm Rascal. After all, Rascal's overprotective brother, Shadow, was keeping a watchful eye on them.
After maybe ten or fifteen minutes of "training," Rascal jumps onto my bed with a toy. My niece excitedly exclaimed that progress was being made. Her goal was to get him to return the toy to her.
Rascal ran off and returned with another toy my niece threw for him. He ran off and returned with yet another toy. The cycle continued.
Shadow laid on the bed to watch the training session from a different angle. Before long, Rascal built a toy mountain that took up a quarter of the bed. He laid on the mountain after he "fetched" the last toy from my niece.
My niece, still elated with the progress made, came into my room and started retrieving the toys. Rascal repeatedly took the toys out of her hands and put them back on the pile. I laughed and told my niece to leave him alone.
She complained and continued grabbing toys. When Rascal became visibly agitated with his fight to keep the toys on the bed, Shadow let out a low growl. My niece fortunately did not hear the growl, but it caught me off-guard. Shadow was non-aggressive and never growled at family before this moment.
I realized what was happening and finally stepped up to stop my niece. I explained that Rascal was not interested in playing fetch. He piled the toys on the bed to keep them safe and away from her. Shadow came to bed to protect Rascal.
My niece did not believe me and reached for a toy anyway. Rascal pounced on the toy to protect it while Shadow blocked her hand. She left the room upset while I closed the door to give Rascal peace of mind. He fell asleep on his pile of toys.
The dog toys remained on the bed for the remainder of the vacation. When my niece took a few toys to attempt fetch training unbeknownst to me, Rascal always returned the toys to the bed. She eventually gave up.
What's Next?
My niece would be happy to know that I now have a dog, Lucy, who loves fetch! While Lucy and I play fetch, Rascal and I will play the "claw" game.
Comment below to let us know your dog's favorite playtime activity!
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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