Redirecting our Corgi with a “Get Your Toy”
The “Get your toy” command is not a classic like sit, down and stay, and I added it to my roster of early tricks on a whim.
A friend of mine who has a Border Terrier recounted to me how he had taught his dog to tell his toys from one another. I thought that would be a fun thing for Dargo to learn, and I started on it when Dargo was about 3 months. I did not anticipate how important it would become to help me manage my corgi as he grew.
Corgis were bred to think and work independently. Dargo is true to his breed, and has a strong, willful streak and a desire to be the boss. When things get out of whack, he’s sure to let me know, but that doesn’t mean he gets to be, or wants to be, CEO of the home.
Ultimately, I think he sees himself as a pro-active middle-manager. Sometimes he’s very rude about it, and it warrants a time out. But most of the time, he just needs what I call a “redirect”.
If Dargo’s wildly running around the house, he may be trying to tell me that he’d rather be outside doing a job like chasing squirrels, digging holes, or hiking up the trail; but, guess what? I run the house, and right now’s not the time. But, Dargo, how about a sit?
The first time I thought to try to interrupt his wild race around the living room, I really didn’t think it would work. He was on his third lap around the couch and I faced him as he emerged from the side. I raised my hand as he moved toward me and with a firm and clear voice said “Sit!”
Sure enough, Dargo sat.
Huh!
“Down!” And down he went. “Stay.” Dargo’s fantastic at stays, so that always buys me a little time when I’m not sure what I want him to do next. At the same time, I knew he was full of energy, so I couldn’t wait too long. After about 4 seconds a lightbulb went off in my head. I said “Dargo, Get Blue!”
Blue is Dargo’s little soft blue stuffed dog and Dargo’s comfort toy. We put it in his crate every night, and, frequently, he’ll calm down as soon as he grabs it. It was the first toy I taught him to get, and that day, it had the ultimate payoff.
Dargo looked around, saw Blue and dove towards it. He then promptly laid down, happily chewing on Blue.
You’d never have suspected that less than 20 seconds before, he was in full stride around the couch.
This game is a stop gap, of course. If the reason Dargo is rambunctious is because he’s not had enough exercise that day, I give him a few minutes with his toy, and then consider taking him for a walk, or initiate a rousing game of fetch.
Teaching “Get Your Toy”
“Get Your Toy” is a very easy trick to teach. The key thing is to start with a toy your dog loves. If you can start the game when he’s playing with the toy, all the better.
Go up to your dog, take his toy in your hand, make sure he’s looking at it, and toss it a few inches from his face while saying “Get Blue” or whatever name you want to use for the toy.
As soon as your dog goes for it, even if he just sniffs it, praise him heartily, and play with the toy with your dog.
Repeat 2 to 3 times, and then let him keep the toy and play with it for awhie. Try another session again later in the day.
Over the following days, toss the toy further and further.
Also, whenever you see your dog going towards his toy, even if you’re not “playing the game”, say “Get Blue” as he grabs it.
After you’ve been doing this for about a week, wait until the toy is somewhere on the floor within range of your dog, then say “Dargo, Get blue”. He’ll go for it.
After awhile, try a few more things:
- Start saying “Get Blue” when the toy out of sight, and your dog will go looking for his toy.
- Start saying “Get Blue” when the toy is near other toys, and praise and play with him when he picks the right one. If he picks the wrong one, I softly but actively repeat the command: that way he knows he’s not done.
I don’t feed the dog treats for this trick, it just confuses the dog. Playing, petting and praising are all the reward he needs to enjoy the game. Especially at the beginning, I considered a sniffing of Blue as a praiseworthy event. He walked over and found it, but he just wasn’t in the mood to play, which I figured was good enough.
Over time, as he understands the game better, if he just walks over but doesn’t grab the toy or if he picks the wrong toy, I’ll softly but actively say “No. Get Blue!” to help convey that the game isn’t over. If he really isn’t getting it, I leave him alone and let the game phase out. I really don’t want this game to be stressful for him since I use it as a calming tool.
I started with two sessions a day, and now I do it often, but not on a schedule. I may go a whole day without doing a “Get Blue” and then I might do three on the next day.
Having picked a toy that my dog really loves, I find he doesn’t tire of this game. But I don’t push my luck, either: I don’t do this so often that he gets bored with it.