October 20^th is Fetch Day! Many of our canine patients absolutely love playing Fetch! This is a great chance for Fido to indulge his inner hunter. It’s also a great chance to bond with your furry best buddy, and just spend some quality time with him. Read on as a Vinton, VA vet discusses one of Fido’s favorite games.

Why Do Dogs Like Fetch?

Fetch gets that tail wagging for a few reasons. For one thing, it’s just fun for them. Retrieving objects lets Fido indulge his inner wolf, and indulges his natural need to run and chase after things. It can also be a great confidence booster for a shy pooch. 

Keeping Fido Active

Fetch is a wonderful workout for Man’s Best Friend. Fido needs activity to stay healthy, just like people do. However, our four-legged pals all have their own unique care needs. That applies to their workouts, too. Some pups, such as Pugs and other brachys,  really just shouldn’t be encouraged to run or jump. Ask your vet for specific advice on this.

How Long Should Fetch Games Last?

You’ve heard the saying about ‘too much of a good thing’? That applies here. Dogs will push themselves to please their humans. That is in general an amazing trait. However, your furry friend’s enthusiasm may wane if he gets too tired. It’s best to err on the side of caution, and keep games of Fetch short and sweet. Five or ten minutes is probably plenty.

What Dog Breeds Are Best At Fetch?

Some of our canine buddies will instinctively get the hang of playing Fetch with little or no guidance. Other pooches will just tilt their heads and look at you with an adorable confused look if you toss something for them. Breed does play a role here. Some of the pooches that are usually talented at playing Fetch include the Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever. The Australian Shepherd, English Springer Spaniel, and Belgian Malinois also make the list.

Benefits Of Fetch

Is your dog a furry bundle of zoom? Fetch is a great way for him to burn off that excess energy. This is also a good option for people whose pups have more energy than they do: Fido does all the work while you stay still. To make the game extra vigorous, play on a hill.

Do you have questions about your dog’s health? Feel free to contact us, your local Vinton, VA animal clinic, anytime!