Claire Topham's dog Gabbie not only hands her pegs while she's hanging washing, but she is also learning to take socks off the drying rack and put them in the basket. She can already take Ms Topham's socks off and hand them to her owner.
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Not surprisingly, Gabbie has been crowned the RSPCA's Next Top Dog at a pageant in Canberra.
The event raised more than $12,000 for RSPCA ACT, with more than $1500 of that raised by Ms Topham.
Gabbie is about four years old. She was one when she was discovered by Ms Topham at Domestic Animals Services after being left with another dog and a note surrendering them at the RSPCA.
Since the pair have been together, Ms Topham has focused on teaching Gabbie manners and tricks.
"We did a lot of training," she said.
"She loves food so she's very food-motivated, and she loves training. I'm lucky to have a very motivated dog who likes to do it. And she's trained me well, too.
"We've got a good deal, I bring the treats."
Ms Topham said the tricks Gabbie knows not only impress her and her friends and family, but she's also helpful around the home.
"People are very surprised that she can do all that, she makes a lot of people laugh because she's a little poser when she begs."
She said going to the RSPCA in Weston ahead of the final competition put Gabbie in good stead to win.
"We went there a couple of days ago to practise, and she was less nervous when we went today even though there were more distractions, because she'd been there before."
Ms Topham said she was thrilled Gabbie had won the dog section of the Next Top Pet competition, particularly because she would be the training ambassador for the RSPCA.
"I'm so proud of her," Ms Topham said.
Ms Topham was the second top fundraiser of the competition. She hoped it would help the RSPCA continue the work they do.
"The RSPCA is pretty fantastic in everything they do," she said.
"We're quite happy to help them out so they can use it for whatever they need, they're a very decent organisation."
