Fetch a Beer / Pop-Can
(Advanced Trick)
Complex fetching tricks are the mark of a very smart dog. If you've
ever had the pleasure of being served a beer by dog you know how amazing
this trick seems.
In reality, it doesn't take a smart dog... just a patient owner to teach this trick.
Teach your dog to fetch a beer.
Your dog should already know and be close to perfect at fetching and dropping objects. Since this is a multi-step trick you will most likely need to space out the steps between a few days.
To prepare for the trick tie a rope or thick cloth around your fridge door. If you dog has a tug toy, this is a good thing to fix to the door handle.
Now teach your dog to open the fridge. Say "Fridge" or "Open" -- whatever you plan on using for this command. As you do so place the rope attached to your fridge door handle into your dogs mouth and encourage her to yank on it. If your dog looks confused, you can 'help' her pull the fridge open. When the fridge door does pop open give your dog praise and a treat. Repeat this until they understand and can do the action on verbal command only.
Now teach your dog to get a beer or pop can from the fridge. Have the can in the lowest shelf so your dog can easily reach it. Choose your command: "Get a Beer" or "Pop". Have your dog open the fridge door, praise her, then give the "Get Beer" command. Point to the beer can and encourage her to get it. If she doesn't understand then as you give the command pick up the beer and place it in her mouth. Give your dog praise. Give the drop command so that she drops the can into your hand. Give praise and a treat. Repeat until your dog can pick up a beer can by only verbal commands.
Now your dog can open the fridge, get out a beer and give it to you. Next practice having your dog do this while you are sitting in another room. Be sure to give lots of praise.
You can also teach your dog to shut the fridge door after it fetches the beer. Use the same kind of process of "helping" your dog shut the door while giving the "Shut" command, until they can do so with no help.
If you go to the beach or camping often with your dog, you could use a similar technique to fetch a beer or pop can out of a cooler.
You may also want to check out: Pet Supplies