Teach Your Dog to Tidy Up Their Toys in 60 Seconds | Fun Trick Training, by Going for Golden on YouTube. 1 min 18 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 18 s
- Time to do it
- 2 to 3 weeks of short daily se
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Teach your dog to hold a toy in its mouth, then drop it on cue. Practice with several different toys so the dog does it with any toy, not just one.
Toss a toy a short distance away and ask your dog to bring it back to you. Reward the retrieve, then slowly increase how far you throw the toy.
Put the basket between you and your dog. Have the dog hold a toy, then say drop it so the toy falls into the basket, and reward right away.
Toss the toy a bit further. When the dog brings it back, point to the basket and give the drop it cue as its head passes over the basket.
Once the dog drops the toy in the basket reliably, change the cue to tidy up or clean up. Say the new word just before the dog drops the toy.
Move the basket a little further from you step by step. Only move it again when the dog succeeds several times in a row at the current distance.
Add more toys one at a time. Ask the dog to tidy up each toy in turn, and reward after each one lands in the basket.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep sessions to a few minutes and end while your dog is still enjoying it, so the trick stays fun.
Reward the moment the toy lands in the basket, not after the dog walks away, or the dog may not connect the drop with the treat.
If your dog misses the basket, move the basket closer rather than repeating the cue many times.
Use soft toys that are easy to carry and won't roll away from the basket.
Questions
What if my dog doesn't know drop it yet?
Teach hold and drop it first as separate tricks. The tidy up trick builds on those two skills, so it goes much faster once they are solid.
How long does it take to learn?
Most dogs need a few short sessions a day for two to three weeks. Some pick it up faster, and some need more time at each step.
Can I use this with a puppy?
Yes, as long as the puppy already brings toys back and drops them on cue. Keep sessions very short and use tiny treats so you don't overfeed.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
