TRAINING MY DOGS

[Cathy C. Bennett]

I have dogs. They have toys…

The only reason it looks like this is because I put the toys in there

I really want to commit this winter to training my dogs to pick up their toys! Over the years I’ve heard many pet parents agonize about training their dogs to pick up their toys. It is ridiculously frustrating AND painful – especially in the dark when your barefoot – ouch!

As smart as my dogs may act, as soon as I start this exercise, they seem to “dummy up” – on purpose. After about 20 minutes, I grab the toys, hurl them into their proper place and move on to the next task. I think they both know I’m going to do it for them, so there is no effort on their part to assist.

We have two “bins” in our house for all their toys. They are both tucked away in areas where the obvious eye won’t really see them.

There’s one in the family room off from the kitchen. It sits on the floor between the sofa arm and a etagere…

I thought this would be the pawfect place

The other bin is in our sunroom adjacent to the bedroom…

Another “gem” of a location for all their belongings

When Harley’s finished playing, he actually lays “in” all the chaos and “nothing” I do will motivate him to pick up one stinking item…

Harley has no intention of putting this stuff back

If I get on my hands and knees to try and demonstrate what I want them to do, Leo just stares at me like I’m crazy…

Poor thing thinks we’re about to play another game

I have the same dilemma upstairs. Leo digs through the bin with a particular item in mind…

What he wants ALWAYS seems to be on the bottom

Discarding what he doesn’t want all over the room like he’s accessorizing…

It’s amazing DH or I haven’t seriously injured ourselves

I got inspired the other day, and started searching the internet for training material. I found a training video on YouTube that seemed to match my patience and talent limits. The instructor used an active dog who already knew how to “fetch.” I immediately thought – “AH-HA!” Leo can fetch, I will start with him…

If he can catch Wilson flying through the air, surely he can put a toy in a box!

The instructor (Dr. Sophia Yin) used a fancy treat dispenser in her video. I’m not buying it. I shall mimic her technique but I’m going to use my hand, and a clicker, and hope I yield the same result. Just not sure when – 2013 – 2014 – 2015?

Of course I’ll keep you posted on our progress. No need to show you a “before” video. It would just be me video taping a bunch of dog toys laying around the floor.

When I see progress, I’ll grab the camera and yell ACTION.

But check her out, maybe this might motivate you during your winter months.

Thanks for reading, gotta go find my clicker, but I’ll be back on Wednesday – I pawmise..

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Ohhh Cathy good luck!!!  I am so excited to see the results!  We have the same soccer ball and Lambchop so I thought i was staring at my living room for a second! LOL

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Oh Lawd - Sounds like we need to do this training program together - for pet parent support. Please, oh please keep me posted Sheila.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hey now Sheila - easy on the pressure my friend - HA! You just described what happens in my house times two! That is precisely why I started searching for training tips, I feel like I'm running a daycare sometimes. I'll let you know how it goes, but I am already bracing myself for a long winter with this one, mainly because I have two, and when I join in, they think it's a party. The toys start flying all over the place, and truth be told - I have a lot of fun joining in. But I'm going to be consistent and see if just a "regular" person can master this. I'll definitely let you know

[Sheila & Finnley]

Haha, I forgot to mention, Finnley was laying near me when I watch the training video. She heard the woman squeak the toys and jumped up and ran for her toys. Now there are all her toys that squeak laying everywhere!

[Sheila & Finnley]

Good luck Cathy, I'll be waiting to see how progress goes. Finnley will walk back and forth from her basket of toys, taking each one out one by one. She places it on the living-room floor and make it squeak a bit then after about 4 or 5 minutes, she goes back for the next, till the basket is empty. It would be nice to train her to do the reverse ! You will be my inspiration... if it works for you !

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hey Nicole, I absolutely will let you know. The way I see it, when I'm here in the house with them, and they want to romp around with me, might as well make it a productive romp and try to teach them something. That's what made me go searching for "how-to-do" on YouTube. It's going to take me a while I'm sure working with two. But it's going to be a long winter so "what the doodle" - take care and thanks for reading.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Lori - their stash started growing when we signed up with BarkBox. It's so reasonable (price wise) compared to shopping for toys, I continue my membership. It's sad, but I'm hooked. I plan to start -slowly - the process this week, I'll keep you posted. Take care

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

That's a lot of toys!  Lucky doods!  Good luck with the training!