
How fetching affects dogs and the human — canine relationship? Part #2
Fetching seems to be one of the most popular exercises for a dog — human team in the whole world! However, not everybody knows, that it is one of the simplest ways to improve a bond with our four — legged friends. Fetching not only has a very positive effect on a dog but also can be beneficial to many aspects of our interspecies relationship.
Part two.

For dogs, fetching is not only a physical activity but also is an opportunity to do some mental workout. Fetching affects their behavioral, emotional and, what could be surprising, social functioning, especially interactions with their owner.
Advantages of fetching for a dog — human bond.
Basically, fetching is an opportunity for the interaction between dog and its owner. Fetching is also a process that forms a sequence of interdependent parts. It means that one part has to be finished to start the next one. The owner has to throw a ball to enable the dog run for it. It is inevitable that dog is going to pay its attention to the owner who became a “giver of the balls”. Dog becomes very sensitive to human’s social and emotional cues just because tracking them helps to reach a goal — catch a ball. It is important to know which object is desired to be fetched and when to do this. Fetching make the owner more interesting for its dog — he is an important source of cues in this play!
Playing fetch makes an owner a guide in the dog’s eyes. It is an opportunity for a human to control a situation and decide what is going to happen. It makes a dog being patient and paying its attention to the owner. What’s more, the start of playing fetch is a sign for both, owner and the dog to get engaged in contact with each other. It is a huge reinforcement for the human — canine bond because they both become a part of the common sequence of playing fetch. The excitement connected with waiting for owner’s throwing a ball is very often really rewarding for the dog. This reward as well as extra positive emotions can be associated with the owner and its behaviors.
The empirical findings show that dogs analyze and are very sensitive to owners’ emotions and nonverbal cues while playing fetch . It is because dogs see owners attitudes and behaviors as a cue what to do and how to do it well. It seems that fetching is a good area for emotional exchange between dogs and humans.
On the other hand, dog owners have also an opportunity to pay attention to their dogs. The situation of fetching can make them feel needed and see the bond with their dogs in real life. They can realize that they are responsible for their dogs’ activity level just because their dogs need them as companions to have their time arranged.
What’s more, playing fetch can help both to stay fit and healthy. Being active can help get relaxed and relieve the stress.
To sum up, playing fetch is a good choice to keep you both fit and engaged in your mutual relationship. It enables you to spend quality time together and identify each other as companions. It can be a good idea to get your time well arranged and keep your motivation to go outside together high.


