Use positive reinforcement to get results.
If your dog enjoys transporting objects around by mouth and playing fetch, you may be able to successfully train it to put objects away in a specific location. Any dog owner who has tripped on a dog toy in the middle of the night or stubbed a toe unexpectedly on a bone in the bathroom could benefit from taking the time to teach his dog some basic organizational skills.
Instructions
1. Play a game of fetch with one of your dog's familiar toys. Position a basket on the ground under your right hand. Throw the toy and reach your hand into the basket when your dog brings the toy back.
2. Say "Drop it," and when your dog drops the toy into the basket where your hand is resting, give the dog a treat. Repeat for one week.
3. Play another game of fetch with the same toy and basket placed beneath your right hand. Throw the toy and wait for your dog to bring it back to you. Say "drop it" and point down at the basket instead of placing your hand into the basket. Repeat until your dog drops the toy into the basket.
4. Put three dog treats into a water bottle and set the bottle on the ground. Set the basket approximately 3 feet back from the bottle. Stand beside the basket.
5. Call your dog and allow him to discover and inspect the bottle. As your dog approaches the bottle with his nose say "yes," and provide a treat when the nose touches the bottle. Continue performing this step until your dog has earned five consecutive treats.
6. Allow your dog to put the bottle into its mouth. Say "yes" and offer a treat. Repeat until your dog has earned five consecutive treats without displaying any hesitation.
7. Encourage your dog to step forward by saying "yes" when your dog picks the bottle up and comes one step toward the basket. Offer a treat and put the bottle 3 feet back from the basket in its original position. Repeat five times.
8. Say "yes" and reward your dog with a treat for taking three steps toward the basket. Repeat until your dog begins placing the bottle inside the basket. Remember to say "yes" and give a treat when this is done successfully.
9. Practice Steps 1 to 8 every day for a week.
10. Start saying the words "clean up" before you begin practicing with the bottle the next week just as you are getting ready to set the bottle on the ground.
11. Substitute the familiar fetching toy for the bottle the following week.
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