Most dog breeds were in early days bred for specific qualities that were exclusively suitable for work, such as herding, tracking, hunting, and retrieving. In subsistence economy like India, Nepal, Bhutan etc. they served humans even to plough the field like oxen do these days also.
Back in the day, when humans and dogs first teamed up, it was all about the grind. Humans quickly realized that these furry pals were more than just cute faces—they could lend a paw in guarding, hunting, herding, pulling heavy loads, and playing delivery dog.
But as a result of rapid urbanization and drastic sift in work culture in today’s world, dogs don’t have much opportunity to use their special instincts. Dogs caught on that hanging with humans meant snagging a piece of the action: the spoils of a successful hunt, the cozy vibes by the fire, and the camaraderie with their human and furry buddies. It was a mutual love fest! Through this dynamic partnership, both parties stumbled upon the incredible joy of companionship and the warm embrace of affection. It’s not just a pet-human duo; it’s a timeless bond forged in the fires of teamwork and shared moments.
However, you can capitalize on these inbred traits and tendencies by teaching your dog to help around the house. Choose tasks that are suited to his nature, and you’ll most likely find him an eager student and enthusiastic helper as well as your partner at home.
These chores are best and easy one that a dog can do:
- Fetch the newspaper
- Sort laundry
- Close doors
- Pick up trash
- Pick up/find/bring items
- Reveille
- Carry a backpack or basket
- Carry a bucket or groceries
- Clean up toys
- Protect and assist with small children
Common benefits:
Teaching your dog to help around the house offers several benefits, including:
1. Mental and Physical Stimulation: Providing your dog with tasks and responsibilities around the house can offer outlets for their physical and mental energy, preventing boredom and potential behavioral issues.
2. Structure and Engagement: Assigning “jobs” to your dog can add structure to their day, keeping them engaged and active. It also presents an opportunity for you to teach your dog new skills and spend quality time together.
3. Problem-Solving and Confidence: Engaging in household chores can help your dog think and problem-solve, boosting their confidence and overall well-being.
4. Bonding: Working together on household tasks can strengthen the bond between you and your dog, enhancing the relationship and creating a sense of teamwork.
5. Mental Challenge: Training your dog provides a mental challenge, preventing boredom and destructive behavior, and boosting their problem-solving skills and overall happiness.
6. Independence and Coping Skills: Place training, a form of household task, can help your dog learn independence and coping skills, providing them with a safe spot and reducing anxiety in various situations.
By involving your dog in household chores, you can provide them with a sense of purpose, mental stimulation, and an opportunity to contribute to the household, while also strengthening your bond and enhancing their overall well-being
Carrying Objects
Your dog can be more than just a pet – they can be a helpful companion around the house. By teaching them simple tasks, you can tap into their natural instincts and provide them with a sense of purpose. For example, you can train your dog to carry a laundry basket, bring in the newspaper, or even drag bags of leaves to the curb. All it takes is a little training, some treats, and a lot of praise. Here’s how you can get started:
- Begin with something small and interesting for your dog to carry, like their favorite toy. Encourage them to pick it up and walk with you. If they drop the toy, prompt them to pick it up again before continuing.
- Once your dog understands that they should walk with the toy, you can introduce a command, such as “Good carry the toy.” When they have walked a few steps, ask them to drop the toy and reward them with a treat.
- Practice the “carry” command by having your dog carry toys on walks or from one room to another in the house. After they are comfortable with this, introduce new objects for them to carry, such as a newspaper or a small bag with items inside.
- As your dog becomes more confident, you can gradually increase the weight of the objects they carry, eventually progressing to tasks like carrying a laundry basket around the house.
By involving your dog in household chores, you can provide them with mental and physical stimulation, strengthen your bond, and give them a sense of accomplishment. It’s a win-win for both you and your furry friend
Find and Retrieve
Teaching your pup to play detective is pretty cool! Start by tossing a bunch of different things on the ground. Make sure they’re small enough for your furry friend to grab with her mouth. Show her one of her fave toys, let her sniff it, then mix it in with the other stuff.
- Gather a bunch of small objects on the ground—stuff your dog can easily pick up. Grab one of her fave toys, show it to her, let her sniff it, and toss it in with the other items.
- Step back a bit, with your pup chilling at your side. Tell her to “find” that special toy, and watch her go for it. If she brings back the wrong thing, resist the urge to snatch it. Just send her back to “find it” until she nails the right one. When she does, celebrate with a treat and some happy vibes.
- Repeat this routine a bunch, mixing up the objects each time. Throw in some new ones to keep it interesting. Make sure your pup sees and sniffs the right toy before you mix it in.
- Once she’s crushing it, raise the stakes. Ask her to find a toy without giving her a sniff preview. For example, tell her to grab the tennis ball without any hints. She might get that she’s searching the toy crew, but can she figure out which one’s the tennis ball? Keep sending her until she brings back the right one. Stay cool, cheer her on, and treat her for a job well done.
- Practice these steps with different toys each time. Shake things up by introducing new objects. It’s all about turning your pup into a top-notch object detective. Keep the patience flowing, pump up the encouragement, and reward her when she sniffs out the right toy. You got this!
You can start trying these techniques as in the video below:
By Roji Sharma
The Author has transparently admitted that she took the help of AI to gather some important ideas and scholarly references on the subject matter followed by a careful and minute observation on those AI references.