Cute Overload: Teaching Puppies to Hop into Baskets

Before you start your training adventure, it’s best to gather a few supplies. Having everything ready ensures your sessions are smooth, fun, and effective. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment, just a few key items to set your puppy up for success.

Your Training Toolkit:

• A Safe and Sturdy Basket: This is the star of the show! Choose a basket that is low enough for your puppy to easily step or hop into. It should have a wide, stable base so it won’t tip over and frighten them. Avoid old, splintery wicker. A shallow, durable fabric bin, a plastic laundry basket, or a smooth, modern woven basket are all great choices. Make sure it’s large enough for your puppy to comfortably sit or lie down in.
• High-Value Treats: Standard kibble might not be exciting enough for learning a brand-new skill. High-value treats are extra special goodies your puppy goes crazy for. Think small, soft, and smelly! Pieces of boiled chicken, tiny bits of cheese, or commercial training treats work wonders. You’ll want to cut them into pea-sized morsels so you can reward your pup frequently without filling them up too quickly.
• A Clicker (Optional, but Recommended): A clicker is a powerful tool in positive reinforcement training. This small device makes a distinct ‘click’ sound, which you use to mark the exact moment your puppy does the right thing. The ‘click’ is followed immediately by a treat. This precision helps your puppy understand exactly what behavior earned them the reward, speeding up the learning process.
• A Distraction-Free Environment: Choose a quiet room in your house where you won’t be interrupted. Turn off the TV, put your phone on silent, and make sure other pets or family members won’t be walking through. A calm space helps your puppy focus on you and the fun new game you’re about to play.

Patience and positivity are your best friends here. Keep your training sessions short and sweet—just 3 to 5 minutes at a time is perfect for a young puppy’s attention span. Let’s break down the process into easy, manageable steps.

1. Step 1: Make the Basket a Magical Place. First, just place the basket on the floor. Don’t ask your puppy to do anything. Let them investigate it at their own pace. When they sniff it or look at it, say “Yes!” in an excited tone and toss a treat near the basket. Then, start tossing treats into the basket. Let your puppy retrieve the treats and walk away. The goal here is simple: create a wonderful, positive association. Basket = Free Snacks!
2. Step 2: Lure the Paws In. Now, hold a tasty treat in your hand near your puppy’s nose. Slowly move the treat over the rim of the basket. Your puppy’s nose will follow. The moment they put even one paw inside the basket to get the treat, click (if you’re using a clicker) and give them the reward. Repeat this several times, rewarding any interaction where they put their paws inside.
3. Step 3: Encourage the Full-Body Hop. Once your puppy is confidently putting their front paws in, it’s time to encourage the rest of their body to follow. Lure them a little further into the basket, so they have to shift their weight and bring their back legs in to reach the treat. The very first time they get all four paws in, throw a “treat party”! Give them lots of praise, pets, and several treats in a row. This is a jackpot moment!
4. Step 4: Introduce the Verbal Cue. Your puppy is now hopping into the basket with your hand lure pretty reliably. It’s time to name the behavior! Just before you lure them in, say your chosen cue in a clear, happy voice. Good cues are short and distinct, like “Basket!”, “Hop In!”, or “In you go!”. Say the cue, then immediately use the lure. Repetition will help them connect the word with the action.
5. Step 5: Fade the Lure. The goal is for your puppy to respond to the verbal cue alone. Start making your hand lure less obvious. Instead of holding the treat in your fingers, you can hide it in your palm. Then, just point to the basket. Eventually, you’ll be able to stand up straight, say “Basket!”, and watch them hop right in. This step takes time, so be patient and reward every success.
6. Step 6: Build a Little Duration. Once they’re in the basket, you can start building on the behavior. After they hop in, wait a single second before you click and treat. Gradually increase the time they wait in the basket. This turns the trick into a useful “place” or “settle” command, perfect for photos or when you need them to stay put for a moment.

Training is never a straight line, especially with bouncy, curious puppies. It’s completely normal to hit a few snags along the way. Don’t get discouraged! Here’s how to handle some of the most common challenges.

My puppy is scared of the basket.

This is very common! The basket is a new, strange object. If your pup is hesitant, back up. Move the basket to the side of the room and just leave it there for a day or two, occasionally dropping amazing treats near it when they aren’t looking. Play fun games near it, but don’t focus on it. You want to desensitize them and show them it’s not a threat. Never force them to interact with it. Let them choose to approach it when they’re ready.

My puppy just chews on the basket!

Welcome to puppyhood! Chewing is a natural behavior. If your pup starts gnawing on the basket, don’t scold them. Instead, calmly redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy. Say something like “Oops!” and offer them a tasty chew stick or a fun squeaky toy. This teaches them what to chew on, rather than just punishing the chewing. You may also want to use a sturdier, less-chewable basket (like a plastic bin) for the initial training phases.

They only put their front paws in and won’t go further.

This is a classic training plateau. It usually means you’ve asked for too much, too soon. Go back to rewarding them just for putting their front paws in. Make that a super fun game for a session or two. Then, try using an even higher-value treat (hello, tiny bits of hot dog!) and luring it to the very back of the basket. This encourages them to stretch and shift their weight, making it more likely their back feet will pop in too. Remember to celebrate big when they do!

My puppy seems bored and distracted.

This is a clear signal that it’s time to end the session. Puppy attention spans are incredibly short. Pushing them when they’re tired or distracted will only create a negative association with training. Always aim to end on a high note. If they do one successful hop, even a small one, give them a big reward and cheerfully say, “All done!” and end the session. Keeping it short, fun, and successful ensures they’ll be excited for the next time.

You’ve mastered the basics, and your puppy is hopping into their basket like a pro. Hooray! Now you can focus on making the trick solid, safe, and ready for its social media debut. Here are some pro tips to polish the behavior and keep the fun going.

Practice Makes Perfect (in Different Places!)

Once your puppy has the trick down in your quiet training room, it’s time to ‘generalize’ the behavior. Try asking for the trick in the living room, then the kitchen, and even the backyard. Practicing in new environments helps your puppy understand that “Basket!” means hop into the basket, no matter where you are. You can also try it with different ‘baskets’—a cardboard box, a laundry bin, or a dog bed with raised sides. Just make sure each new item is safe and stable.

Focus on Basket Safety

As your puppy grows, their training basket needs to grow with them. Always ensure the basket is the right size. They should be able to get in, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Continue to check for any signs of wear and tear, like sharp edges or splintering wood, that could injure your pup. Safety is always more important than a cute trick.

Expert Tip: Never, ever ask your puppy to hop into a basket that is placed on a raised surface like a table or chair. A fall could cause serious injury and create a lifelong fear of the trick. Always keep the basket on the floor.

Capturing That Perfect Picture

Okay, let’s get to the really fun part! To get that ‘Gram-worthy shot, have your camera or phone ready to go. Good lighting is key, so try to shoot near a window with natural light. It often helps to have a partner who can get the puppy’s attention by squeaking a toy or making a funny noise just above the camera lens. This will give you that perfect, alert expression with a cute head tilt. And remember, use burst mode! You can take a ton of photos in a few seconds and pick the best one later. Don’t forget to reward your little model with lots of praise and a tasty treat when the photoshoot is over!