In the near future, it is my intention to teach both Molly and Jack to put away their own toys on command. This will be a training project I am sure they can learn quickly; it will be fun and productive too.

When Molly and Jack were puppies, I kept a small toy box of appropriate toys beside their crate, so that prior to going to bed, I let them choose which toy they wanted to take with them.

To this day, Molly will grab a toy as soon as she comes in from her last elimination trip outside for the evening. And then she trots off to bed on her own carrying her selected toy. Most nights she selects a different toy to take to bed with her. It's so doggone cute.

What Kind of Dog Toy Boxes Do I Use?

The inside dog toy box is actually a hollow foot stool near our couch in the living room. It was very inexpensive from the local Wal-Mart (about $20.00 USD).

The outside toy box is a hollow, hard molded plastic dog bone which is waterproof, of course. In the photo above, Happy Jack is sitting next to it. I purchased it online at one of my favorite dog supply stores. You can see a picture of Molly inside the outside dog toy box when she was a puppy.

The toy box in the van is simply a clear plastic storage bin also obtained from the local Wal-Mart or discount department store. The van's toy box has the least amount of toys in it because it's the place where my Cairns spend the least amount of time.

I try to keep specific toys in specific toy boxes if at all possible. Naturally, weather resistant toys can go in the outside toy box. Toys that I don't want my Cairns to have unattended to prevent choking, I don't put in toy boxes where I will not always be like outside or in the van.

There are many types of toy boxes designed specifically for dogs that are available. From basic to fancy and those that blend in well with your home decor. Whichever type toy box you choose, make sure it isn't something that you will not get too upset about if it accidentally gets scratched or chewed.