Teaching Dogs to Assist with Household Chores

Can Your Pup Help with Chores? Let’s Find Out!

Have you seen your dog and wondered, ‘Wouldn’t it be convenient if they pitched in with a few responsibilities?’ You’re not alone! Jointly with their renowned companionship and loyalty, dogs can receive training to help out around the residence.

Having your dog trained to do chores at home, like fetching the newspaper, collating laundry, or even just closing doors, helps you of course, but also keeps your pet mentally stimulated.

Why Shouldn’t Dogs Have a Job Too?

Training your dog to assist with homework isn’t simply about getting some additional help; it’s a wonderful means of stimulating their mind and body.

When you do tasks around the house, you can reduce boredom, stop destructive actions, and improve your relationship. It’s also incredible when your canine companion fetches the TV remote at the right moment to the delight of your guests!

Fun Chores Your Dog Can Totally Learn

Dogs are trainable to do a multitude of basic activities around the home. Here are some ideas:

🐾 Fetching items: Your dog is able to find items that include shoes, the remote, or even the mail.

🐾 Closing doors: Tell them to ease doors closed with just their nose or paw.

🐾 Putting toys away: Your dog is able to return toys to the basket after they are done playing.

🐾 Helping with laundry: A number of dogs can receive training to handle small laundry items or stack towels into a basket.

🐾 Turning lights on and off: A properly set up training environment enables certain dogs to learn to activate a switch to operate lights on and off.

Step-By-Step: Turning Your Dog into a Fetch Expert

Before diving into complex chores, it’s essential to establish a foundation of basic commands. Commands like “sit,” “stay,” “fetch,” and “drop” are essential building blocks for more complex tasks.

Here’s a simple plan to get started:

1. Choose the right task: Start with something simple, like fetching an item.
2. Break it down: Split the task into small, manageable steps. For example, teach them to pick up an item before expecting them to bring it to you.
3. Use positive reinforcement: Reward every success with treats, praise, or playtime. Keep it fun!
4. Be patient: Remember, training takes time and patience. Celebrate small wins.

Teaching Your Dog to Fetch Household Items

One of the easiest chores to start with is teaching your dog to fetch specific items. Use familiar items they already enjoy playing with, like toys or shoes, before progressing to objects like the remote or slippers.

Tip: Start with short training sessions and gradually increase the challenge by adding new items.

Close the Door Behind You, Fido!

Teaching your dog to close doors is not as tricky as it sounds. Start by placing a sticky note or small towel on the door and use a command like “push” while encouraging your dog to nudge the door closed with their nose or paw.

🐾 Step-by-step guide:

1. Place a treat or favorite toy near the door to get them close.
2. Attach a sticky note or towel to the door at your dog’s nose level.
3. Say “push” while guiding their nose or paw toward the door.
4. Reward as soon as the door moves, even slightly!

Repeat this process and offer treats whenever they successfully close the door.

Tidy Up, Buddy: Teach Your Dog to Put Toys Away

Let’s face it—picking up after your dog’s playtime can get tiresome. Why not train them to clean up after themselves? Using a basket or box, encourage your dog to drop their toys into it on command.

🐾 How-to:

1. Start by teaching them “fetch” and “drop” commands with their toys.
2. Place a basket in an accessible location and say “put away” as they drop the toy in the basket.
3. Offer plenty of praise or treats when they get it right!

Laundry Helper? Lights On, Lights Off! Your Dog’s Got This

Once your dog masters the basics, you can try teaching more advanced chores. Tasks like helping with laundry require patience and small steps.

🐾 Laundry task example: Start by asking your dog to fetch a towel or sock, then guide them to a laundry basket. Reward when they drop the item into the basket. Eventually, you can train them to carry items or even load them into the washer if it’s low enough!

🐾 Turning off lights: For this trick, you’ll need a light switch attachment designed for dogs. Show your dog how to hit the switch, using commands like “light off” or “light on,” and reward when they get it right.

Consistency: The Secret Ingredient to a Helpful Pup

When training your dog to assist with household chores, consistency is vital. Regular practice, patience, and positive reinforcement are the building blocks for success. Keep sessions short and fun, and remember to adjust based on your dog’s energy and interest.

Picking the Perfect Chores for Your Pup

Not every dog will be interested or able to do all tasks. Here are a few things to consider when choosing chores for your dog:

🐾 Size: Larger dogs may have an easier time with tasks like closing doors or carrying laundry, while smaller dogs might excel at fetching small items.
🐾 Temperament: High-energy dogs may enjoy more physically demanding chores, while calmer dogs might prefer simpler tasks like putting toys away.
🐾 Health: Always consider your dog’s age and health. Tasks should be fun, not strenuous or overwhelming.

A Dog That Helps Around the House? You Bet!

Teaching your dog to assist with household chores can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both of you. Not only does it provide mental and physical stimulation for your dog, but it also strengthens your bond and showcases just how clever and capable your furry companion is. Start small, stay patient, and before long, you’ll have a helpful assistant who makes your day a little easier.

Get started today and watch your pup transform into your perfect little helper—one task at a time!

Need more tips on training your pup? Check out this guide! Learn more here 🐾

Unlock Your Dog's Potential – FREE Online Workshop