A Five-Week Retrieve Skills Class
Connected Fetch Foundations is a five-week class for dogs 6 months and up that teaches a clear, cooperative retrieve by breaking the skill into small, dog-friendly steps. This class is appropriate for dogs new to organized fetch, as well as teams considering AKC Fetch titles, improving obedience or rally retrieves, or simply wanting a safer, more thoughtful approach to toy play.
Rather than relying on repeated throws, we’ll focus on communication, clarity, and body awareness. Dogs will learn how to confidently take, hold, carry, and release objects while staying connected to their handler. Guardians will learn how fetch fits into the canine prey sequence, why structure matters for safety, and how to build retrieve skills without creating over-arousal or physical strain.
Each week builds progressively, giving dogs time to develop understanding and emotional comfort with objects before distance and speed are added.
Dogs will learn to:
Take and release objects on cue
Hold and carry items calmly
Move with an object without dropping
Respond to cues while holding an item
Retrieve with clarity and purpose
Guardians will learn:
How to structure fetch for sport, function, or enrichment
Why excessive ball throwing can be hard on a dog’s body
How to build retrieve skills that support confidence and communication
How to adapt retrieve work for AKC Fetch, obedience, or rally
This class prioritizes clear communication, cooperative skill-building, and the dog’s physical and emotional wellbeing, making fetch a shared activity rather than a repetitive exercise.
Age Requirements: Dogs must be 6 months or older to participate in this class.
Pre-Reqs: This class is appropriate for dogs new to organized fetch, as well as teams considering AKC Fetch titles, improving obedience or rally retrieves, or simply wanting a safer, more thoughtful approach to toy play.
Please note that there will be 1-2 classes towards the end of your series that will require your dog to be crated between turns.
Sign up here: https://app.punchpass.com/org/8136/series/48666