Who is this trick for?

Every dog can learn this trick, including dogs with health issues, as it proceeds in a controlled and calm manner and requires no elaborate equipment. However, a bit of patience is needed. But it’s worth it! Properly executed, your dog can pick up objects at the end of the training on your signal and hold them in his mouth until you give him a release signal to drop the object.

How do I teach my dog to pick up objects?

The biggest challenge in picking up objects is getting your dog to take the desired item into his mouth. You can build this up either through retrieving or by incorporating your dog’s favorite toy, which he already enthusiastically carries around. Using a clicker and some small treats is advantageous for this trick. Beforehand, you should have successfully conditioned your dog to the clicker, associating the “click” with immediate confirmation and reward.

Clicker conditioning

If your dog is not familiar with the clicker, start with a simple exercise. Sit in front of your dog, click, and immediately give your furry friend a treat. Repeat this many times so that your dog understands: “Click” = treat. This way, you can precisely confirm your dog’s actions with the clicker while learning tricks. You can think of the “click” as a promise of a treat. The dog will happily anticipate it when it clicks.

Step 1

Now choose an object that is very interesting to your dog, such as a toy. Place it beside him. Now, confirm every interaction (with a click and treat) that your furry friend shows with this toy. Once he understands and continues to seek confirmation, become more selective and only click when the interaction is with the snout. If your dog takes it into his mouth on his own, give him a jackpot, such as many treats and/or a lot of social praise.

Step 2

If your dog’s action becomes more precise, and he shows the right tendency, that’s great. If he struggles to take the object into his mouth on his own, you can get creative and try what works for you. For instance, try handing him the toy and click immediately when he takes it. If your dog retrieves, playfully build the trick through retrieving and click the moment he picks up the toy from the ground. Repeat this several times until the process becomes more secure. Later, you can introduce a verbal cue like “Take.”

Step 3

In the final step, the goal is to extend the duration of holding. Your dog should not just pick up the object from the ground and immediately drop it but hold it briefly. It’s crucial that your furry friend doesn’t memorize the immediate click shortly after picking up and then opens his mouth right away to receive his treat. So, delay the click a bit and don’t reward the pickup immediately. In other words, your dog picks up the object, and each time, you wait a bit longer before rewarding.

Repeat the motion several times and also try sending your dog from a short distance. If he brings the toy to you, make sure to release and praise him abundantly before he drops it on his own.