Best dog toy box for organising your hound’s playthings

If like us, you can't stop treating your pup to new things to play with, you'll need a dog toy box to put them all. Our pooches need a variety of dog toys to get them entertained, whether that's with physical exercise or mental stimulation, but it can soon feel like you're overwhelmed with all the different types of toys scattered around your home. A dog toy box will help you to keep your pooch's favourite playthings tidy and organised.

As our pooches are like children, of course, we want to spoil them with something new whenever we get the chance. Dog soft toys for them to cuddle up to, puzzle toys for challenging them, and balls and frisbees for chasing - the list is endless. Just like a human child, our fur babies can get bored of toys easily, which can result in lots of different types being scattered across your house as they move from one to another. We've covered why you need a box for your hound's toys in our FAQs but essentially, a dedicated dog toy box will give you somewhere to put them all when they're not in use and help you keep track of what ones your pup is regularly reaching for.

The best dog toy box at a glance:

• Best dog toy box overall: Morezi Large Dog Toy Storage Box – view on Amazon UK
• Best personalised dog toy box: MijoPetProducts Personalised Toy Box – view on Etsy
• Best dog toy basket: Xbopetda Round Cotton Rope Basket – view on Amazon UK

When it comes to choosing a toy box for your dog, there is plenty of choice available. Typically, there isn't one type of toy box or basket that is better than others, so it might just come down to your personal preference. You may also want to get a box that matches the aesthetics or décor in your home. There are metal or handwoven rope-style baskets to put all your dog's tug toys or interactive toys inside or you can opt for a wooden box to pop their favourite chew toys and ball launches inside. Some options are even handmade to order so you can choose the overall colours and styles used, and you may even be able to personalise it with your pup's name, too.

Whether you're looking for a storage solution for toys for a small dog or a large dog, we've brought together a selection of dog toy boxes and baskets from a variety of retailers so you can decide which one is best for you and your pooch's needs.

Best dog toy boxes and baskets

FAQs

Why do I need a dog toy box?

There are several reasons why you should get a toy box for all your pooch's favourite playthings. Having a dedicated box will keep their toys organised all in one place so it’ll reduce clutter around your home while also keeping the toys within easy reach for your pup. Having them tidied away and off the floor will also reduce trip hazards for you too.

If your dog regularly likes to take their toys outside, they can get muddy, wet and damaged from being left out there. Having a toy box to put your toys in will stop the dirt from being put on your floors and will also give you somewhere to put them after you’ve collected them from the garden.

Having a dog toy box can also help you discover which types of toys are your dog's favourite. If your pooch is regularly reaching for a specific type of toy, such as a squeaky dog toy, from their toy basket, it'll show you that they are stimulated and entertained by playing with it so you know what type of toys your dog likes for future purposes. The ones that are always left behind in their dog toy box are ones that your pooch doesn't enjoy so much so you can either dispose or donate it, depending on its condition.

Can dogs learn to put toys away?

Just like a child, your dog will want to get all their toys out at once to play with and leave them scattered around your home. If you’re fed up with always picking up after your dog, you can teach them to put their toys away with lots of patience and plenty of practice. We’ve got some tips from the Dogs Trust on how you can teach your dog to tidy up their toys.

Teach your dog to pick up the toy

Pick up a toy and show it to your dog. Whenever your dog shows interest in the toy, mark it and reward them for engaging with it with your marker or cue word and a treat. Look out for the moments when your hound puts their mouth around the toy. Keep repeating, ensuring to mark and reward each time.

Introduce a verbal cue

You can then start to introduce a verbal cue, like 'get it’. Keep repeating step one but introduce ‘get it’ the moment they put their mouth around the toy. Continue to mark and reward.

Practise with different toys

Next, try holding the toy in different places. Then, keep it on the floor for them to pick up and try it with different toys.

Teach your dog to drop

Once your pooch is used to the idea of picking up a toy and holding it, you want to start teaching them to drop it. So, ask your dog to ‘get it’. Then, as soon as they let go and drop the toy, mark and reward.

Introduce another verbal cue

Now you can start to introduce a verbal cue to them dropping their toy, like ‘drop’. Teaching your dog to ‘drop it’ on command can be incredibly helpful, especially if they’ve picked up something that could be dangerous or toxic to them, like a chicken bone or a piece of chocolate.

Target train your dog

Choose the item you want your pooch to pick their toys up and take them to, like a dog toy box or basket. Next, you’ll need to teach your hound to target that item. To do this, any time your dog goes near the box, mark and reward them. You can then start to introduce the verbal cue for ‘box’, ‘basket’ or whichever item you want them to take their toys to.

Put all the steps together

Tell your dog to ‘get it’, ‘box’ and ‘drop’, and your dog should be tidying up toys into their dog toy box or basket in no time at all.

Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.