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      Put Toys Away

      This trick teaches your dog where he puts all of his toys away in a box

      Introduction

      Teaching your dog to put their toys away in a box is a great way to keep your home tidy and to teach your dog some basic obedience skills. It can also be a fun and rewarding activity for both you and your dog.

      Things you may need:

      • A box that is big enough for your dog to fit in
      • A few of your dog's favorite toys
      • A lot of patience!

      Common Misconceptions

      • Misconception: You need to use aversive methods, such as punishment, to teach your dog to put their toys away.
      • Fact: You can teach your dog to put their toys away using positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise.
      • Misconception: Once your dog knows the "put toys away" command, they will always do it.
      • Fact: Even dogs who know the "put toys away" command may sometimes not do it, especially if they are tired or distracted.

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase:

      1. Have your dog sit in front of a box.
      2. Give him a toy and reward him when he puts it in the box.
      3. Repeat step 2 until your dog starts to look for the box below when dropping his toy.
      4. Start moving the box away from him and repeat the steps above.
      5. After a few sessions, begin throwing the toy so that your dog must retrieve it before returning it to the box.

      Reinforcing Phase:

      1. Once your dog is successfully fetching the toy and putting it in the box 80-90% of the time with minimal reinforcement or lures, you can start giving a verbal cue "put it back" and then reward variably once the dog is about to completely putting the toy back in the box.
      2. Continue to practice the "put it back" command in different environments and with different distractions.

      Proofing Phase:

      1. Start practicing "put it back" around other environments with more energy and distraction.
      2. Add distance and duration gradually over time.

      Maintenance Phase:

      1. Consistently practice put toys away in every obedience session, reinforcing variably over time upon completions.
      2. Apply corrections if the dog does not respond appropriately after one command.

      Case Studies

      Here are a few case studies of dogs who have learned to put their toys away in a box:

      • Case Study 1: A golden retriever named Buddy was taught to put his toys away in a box by his owner. Buddy's owner started by teaching him the "take it" and "drop it" commands. Once Buddy knew the "take it" and "drop it" commands, his owner started to teach him to put his toys away in the box. Buddy eventually learned to put his toys away in the box on command, even in different environments and with different distractions.
      • Case Study 2: A German shepherd named Daisy was taught to put her toys away in a box by her trainer. Daisy's trainer used positive reinforcement methods to teach her the command. Daisy was very motivated by treats, so she quickly learned to put her toys away in the box on command.
      • Case Study 3: A chihuahua named Taco was taught to put his toys away in a box by his owner. Taco's owner started by teaching him the "take it" and "drop it" commands. Once Taco knew the "take it" and "drop it" commands, his owner started to teach him to put his toys away in the box. Taco was a little bit more challenging to train than the other dogs, but with patience and consistency, he eventually learned to put his toys away in the box on command.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      Here are a few tips for pet parents who are trying to teach their dogs to put their toys away in a box:

      • Be patient and consistent with your training. It may take some time for your dog to learn how to do this trick.
      • Don't get frustrated if your dog doesn't get it right away.
      • Use positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise, to reward your dog for good behavior.
      • Practice the trick in different environments and with different distractions.

      Conclusion

      Teaching your dog to put their toys away in a box can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your dog. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog this trick in no time.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: How long does it take to teach a dog to put their toys away in a box?
        A: It depends on the individual dog. Some dogs may learn the trick in a few weeks, while others may take months or even years.
      • 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, try making the process more fun for them. You can add some treats or toys to the box to make it more appealing. You can also try playing a game with your dog where they have to put their toys away in order to get a treat.