A Special Place for Toys
One of my daughters-in-law recently posted a photo on Facebook referring to a “Montessori” method of having a special place in each room for the kiddo’s toys. This is something I did with my sons LONG ago and put the same idea into practice with Winston. In the den I have a ceramic planter from TJ Maxx that fits the decor. In the kitchen it’s an antique wooden tool box and in my office the container is an old metal bucket. From the time Winston came in the house these containers have held his toys and chews. Without me realizing he was paying attention, I’d take toys out and offer them when we were in that room and return them to the container as we left the room. Winston searches through to find what he wants, he’ll even help himself to a new chew when the old one looses it’s flavor but he’s never chewed anything that didn’t come out of his containers. Because Tula follows Winston’s lead in every way – no training was involved. We haven’t perfected the “putting your toys away” portion of the lesson – but my expectations aren’t that high.
An update on how well the toy basket works. We now have four housedogs – not all inside at once though. With each addition, even Bindi who was 8 months old before she came inside, I make sure the toys are in their container before the dog comes in and take out a few to show them where they are. Each dog will rummage through looking for just the right chew or toy and I still have never had them chew anything that wasn’t from their collection.
Of course, the toys smell like the other dogs and I don’t have temptations around for them to grab…my days of kiddy toys are in the distant past.