Patent ID: 6401665
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A tethered fetching, training, and play device for animals, the tethered device comprising:an elongate tether with a first end and a second end; a target projectile for being tossed, thrown, or moved and thereby acting as the target of an animal's attention wherein the target projectile is coupled to the first end of the elongate tether; a handle coupled for 360 degree rotation to the second end of the elongate tether whereby twisting and tangling of the elongate tether can be avoided; and a means for retaining an animal treat relative to the target projectile whereby an animal treat can be retained relative to the target projectile to act as a motivational tool to entice the animal to chase and seize the target projectile; whereby a user can employ the tethered device to train an animal to perform tasks and tricks, such as fetching and retrieving, by retaining the second end of the elongate tether, tossing, throwing, or moving the target projectile relative to the user and the animal whereupon the animal, knowing of the retained animal treat, will tend to chase and seize the target projectile so that the user can instruct the animal to return with the game projectile and, if necessary, can compel the animal to return by drawing on the elongate tether to pull the target projectile, the retained treat, and the animal to the user.