Brain Games: Can Your Dog Stack Rings? Teach Them This Genius Trick

Before you and your furry student embark on this academic adventure, it’s best to have all your supplies ready. Setting up for success means the training session will go smoothly, keeping your dog engaged and frustration levels low (for both of you!). Here’s your short shopping list:

• A Dog-Safe Stacking Toy: The star of the show! Look for a toy made of durable, non-toxic plastic or wood. For beginners, a simple post with uniformly sized rings is perfect. Ensure the rings are large enough that your dog can’t swallow them but light enough for them to carry comfortably.
• High-Value Treats: This trick requires focus, so you’ll need treats that are more exciting than their everyday kibble. Think small, soft, smelly, and delicious morsels like tiny pieces of boiled chicken, cheese, or commercial training treats. The smaller, the better, so you can reward frequently without filling them up too fast.
• A Clicker (Optional, but Recommended): A clicker is a fantastic tool for marking the exact moment your dog does something right. This precise communication can speed up the learning process significantly. If you’re not using a clicker, you can use a consistent verbal marker like a sharp “Yes!”.
• A Quiet Training Space: Choose a room with minimal distractions. Turn off the TV, put your phone on silent, and make sure other pets or family members won’t interrupt your session. A calm environment helps your dog concentrate on the task at hand.

Patience is the name of the game here. Remember to keep your training sessions short and sweet—around 5-10 minutes is plenty. Always end on a positive note! Here’s how to build this trick from the ground up.

1. Step 1: Introduce the Toy & Rings: Place the base and one ring on the floor. Let your dog sniff and explore. Click and treat for any interaction—a nose touch, a paw tap, anything! We want them to think this new toy is the best thing ever. This is called building a positive association.
2. Step 2: Teach ‘Take It’: Hold a ring out to your dog. The second their mouth touches it, click and treat. Gradually wait for them to put more of their mouth on it until they are gently taking it from your hand. Add the verbal cue “Take It” once they are reliably performing the action.
3. Step 3: Build to a ‘Hold’: Once they’ll take the ring, we want them to hold it for a second or two. Delay your click and treat for a brief moment after they take it. Slowly increase the duration. If they drop it, no big deal! Just try again for a shorter duration.
4. Step 4: Target the Post: Now, let’s bring in the base. With your dog holding the ring, use a treat to lure their head towards the base. Click and treat for just moving in the right direction. Eventually, you want them to bring the ring all the way over to the post.
5. Step 5: The Magical ‘Drop It’: This is the trickiest part. Ask your dog to hold the ring, and position them directly over the post. Give your ‘Drop It’ cue. The moment the ring falls (even if it misses), have a party! Click, treat, and praise enthusiastically. With practice, their aim will improve. You can guide the ring with your hand at first to help them succeed.
6. Step 6: Chain the Behaviors: Now, put it all together. Place a ring a short distance from the base. Ask your dog to ‘Take It,’ walk to the base, and ‘Drop It.’ It will be messy at first, but with repetition, the sequence will become smooth.
7. Step 7: Add More Rings: Once your dog can reliably stack one ring, place a second one nearby. Celebrate big when they stack two in a row! Continue adding rings one by one until they can complete the whole stack.

Even the brightest pups can hit a roadblock. Don’t worry, it’s a normal part of the learning process! If you get stuck, take a deep breath and try one of these solutions.

My dog just wants to chew the rings!

This is super common, especially with younger dogs. The solution is to work on a solid ‘Drop It’ cue separate from the stacking game. Make it a trade—when they drop the ring, they get an amazing treat. This teaches them that letting go of the toy is more rewarding than chewing it. Also, ensure your training sessions are short; chewing is often a sign of over-arousal or boredom.

My dog gets frustrated and walks away.

Frustration is a sign that we’re asking for too much, too soon. This is a clear signal to take a step back. What was the last thing they did successfully? Go back to that and get a few easy wins. Maybe you need to go back to just rewarding them for touching the ring with their nose. Always end the session on a successful repetition, even if it’s an easy one. This keeps their confidence high and makes them eager for the next session.

My dog won’t pick up the ring from the floor.

Some dogs are great at taking things from our hands but hesitant to pick them up off the ground. You can make the ring more enticing by rubbing a smelly treat on it. You can also prop the ring up slightly against a book or wall to make it easier to grab. Reward any effort, even if they just nudge it with their nose at first, and slowly shape the behavior towards picking it up fully.