How to secure toys into puppy's crate?

[Nancy & Echo]

I have a ~1 inch gap between my back door and the wooden deck.  The wooden deck was built on top of a cement patio, covering it completely.  The wooden deck is about 6 inches above the cement patio.

Echo has doggy door privileges.  Unfortunately, she has now dropped  chew toys down the gap 3 times - one Nylabone twice, and an antler once.  It took several hours to retrieve the first two incidences (requiring a toilet snake), and I haven't been able to get the last Nylabone yet.

I decided some toys should be 'indoor only' toys.  Echo will grab the toy and head out the doggy door.   So I tried tying the toy to her wire crate.  I used a leash, using the handle like you would a rubber band knot, and the dog attachment to the crate.  Echo undid the rubber band knot.  I tried tying an antler to the crate, and Echo quickly undid the knot.

I'm a landlubber, but any clever ideas how to secure the toys so they can't be taken outside and go down the gap?

[Amy and Annabelle]

I would keep a basket of acceptable toys that can go outside by the door. It won't take her long to learn she can grab one of those toys and go out. I have a box for Annabelle's outside toys right by the back door. There are frisbee's and balls and a few other toys in there. She always grabs what she wants to play with out of that box and heads outside. I think anything small is probably going to be lost down the deck unless you put bricks or something along there so the toys won't fall through.

[Nancy & Echo]

Those are great suggestions!  I just put boards over the gap, and I'll be training Echo.  Thanks again!