Training your dog to clean its toys

 

Teaching your dog to clean his or her toys

 

Fisher is a very smart dog, so he tends to pick up new tricks and training very quickly. It is important to remember that dogs can get bored of training, some breeds are harder to train, and you can only work for short periods of time each day. Training to clean up toys particularly takes a lot of steps, and a lot of patience. You will need: various toys, a bin, training treats, and a clicker. All of these items will be used in the process.

 

1.      Teach “take it”: This is the first step in teaching the cleaning up process. I did this by starting off by just handing toys and saying take it. I eventually began placing them on the ground, and having him take them from the ground. From there I began to slowly move them further and further away. I used the clicker for positive reinforcement. In order for the dog to learn it is positive you click and give a treat. Eventually they will know the click is good, and not need a treat every time. Once they grasp the concept of take it with toys spread all around the room the next step can be implemented.

 

2.      Differing between “give it” and “drop it”: This step helps the dog combine picking up the toy with dropping it. Dropping the toy is just placing it on the ground wherever they stand. This one should not be too difficult with a little positive reinforcement. Give it on the other hand has to do with placing the toy directly in your hand. It takes a few tries to get them to understand, it is best to start with a toy that is easy for them to hold, and small enough to place in a hand. Eventually the goal is to place the toy in your hand when hearing give it, and drop it where they stand when hearing drop it.

 

3.     Recognizing the bin: When moving on to the bin it takes a lot of patience. First the dog must learn that the word bin, signifies the bin. Whenever the dog places its nose in the bin, on their own accord reward them and say, “good bin.” After they begin to repeatedly do this for reward you can begin commanding bin. Announcing bin they should begin to place their nose in it on their own. Once this is consistent you can move on to the next step.

 

4.      Handing toys: The dog at this point should be able to understand take it, differ between drop it and give it, and understand the word bin. Once all those steps are done you can begin to hand the dog the toy with the words take it, and immediately say bin. It is best to start right beside the bin when doing so. Every time they successfully place it in the bin give a reward. As the dog gets more comfortable you can begin to move further and further away from the bin.

 

5.      Taking toys from the ground: Now it is important to move back to beside the bin. Here you will place the toy on the ground, and have them take it from the ground, and then place it in the bin. When having a dog clean up toys you will not hand every toy, so this part is important as well. As they get comfortable again you will slowly move further and further away from the bin.

 

6.      Introduce different toys: After they are comfortable doing it with one kind of toy you can begin to do so with a variety of toy sizes, and weights. This allows the dog to begin to understand that It is done with all toys, not just one. It can take a bit of work for them to get it down, but remember to stay patient.

 

7.      Introducing the word clean up: this is the final step. Now after the dog places the toy in the bin with the bin command, if you wish to introduce clean up now is when you do so. As they place it begin saying “good clean up”. You can also say clean up, take it, bin, and good clean up all together. This will get them to begin associating the term clean up with take it and bin. It can take a while to get this part down, but once they do watching them walk around and clean up their toys is not only helpful for you, but a cute sight.

 

During all of this do not forget that it can take days before they have this down. It will not happen overnight for them. Be patient. If your dog is getting distracted, or in a playful mood then take a break. You cannot force a dog to learn who does not wish to be learning. Patience is key here. Not all dogs learn at the same pace either. Fisher took about a week, and still even has days where he looks at me confused and forgets, but with patience and consistency it can be done. Don't forget to follow for more, and give it a like if you enjoyed reading it! Comment if you have any questions