Dogs love to play, and they often leave their toys scattered around the house. This can be a nuisance, and it can also be dangerous if your dog gets tangled up in the toys.
Teaching your dog to put their toys away is a simple way to keep your home clean and safe. It also helps your dog learn to follow your commands and to be a responsible member of the family.
Steps
- Choose a toy box or basket that is the right size for your dog’s toys. You want it to be big enough to hold all of their toys, but not so big that it becomes a tripping hazard.
- Place the toy box or basket in a central location in your home. This will make it easy for your dog to find it when they are finished playing.
- Start by teaching your dog the command “drop it.” When your dog has a toy in their mouth, say “drop it” and give them a treat when they do.
- Once your dog knows the command “drop it,” you can start teaching them to put their toys away. To do this, hold a toy in your hand and say “drop it.” When your dog drops the toy, praise them and put it in the toy box or basket.
- Repeat this process several times until your dog is consistently dropping their toys in the toy box or basket.
- Once your dog is consistently putting their toys away, you can start to fade out the treats. Instead of giving them a treat every time they put a toy away, you can give them a treat every few times, or even just once a day.
How to Teach a Dog to Put Away His Toys
Tips
- Start with a few toys at a time. Once your dog is consistently putting away those toys, you can add more.
- Be patient and consistent with your training. It may take some time for your dog to learn to put their toys away, but with patience and consistency, they will eventually get the hang of it.
- Make it fun! Training should be a positive experience for both you and your dog. If your dog is not having fun, they are less likely to want to participate.
- Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog with praise, treats, or toys when they do something you want them to do. This will help them learn that putting their toys away is a good thing.
How to train your dog to clean up their toys
Q: What if my dog doesn’t know the command “drop it”?
A: If your dog doesn’t know the command “drop it,” you can start by teaching them that command. To do this, hold a toy in your hand and say “drop it.” When your dog drops the toy, praise them and give them a treat. Repeat this process several times until your dog is consistently dropping the toy when you say “drop it.”
Q: What if my dog doesn’t want to put their toys away?
A: If your dog doesn’t want to put their toys away, you may need to make it more appealing to them. Try putting some of their favorite treats in the toy box or basket. You can also try making a game out of it. For example, you could say “let’s put away all the toys” and then play a game of fetch with your dog. Once your dog is having fun, they will be more likely to want to participate in putting away their toys.
Q: What if my dog gets frustrated and starts to chew on their toys instead of putting them away?
A: If your dog gets frustrated and starts to chew on their toys instead of putting them away, you may need to take a break from training. Come back to it later when your dog is calm and relaxed. You can also try using a different toy box or basket. If your dog is still having trouble, you may want to consult with a professional dog trainer.
Dog Training Tutorial: “Clean up” / Put Away Objects
Conclusion
Teaching your dog to put their toys away can be a challenge, but it is a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog to be a responsible member of the family and to keep your home clean and safe.
