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
Best dog toy box overall
AmazonAvailable in 13 different colours and prints, the Morezi Large Dog Toy Storage Box takes first place in our roundup of the best toy boxes and baskets. We love that it has two deep compartments inside so you can keep inside and outside toys separate, have heavy-duty toys in one side and soft toys in the other, or have one side for toys and another for treats. You can also take the divider centre out and have it as one big bin so the choice is all yours.
Customer review: "One side is treats the other toys my puppy has already learned it his box"
Pros
- Two separate compartments inside with the option to make it one big one
- Choice of 13 colours/prints
Cons
- Some reviewers would have liked it to have been bigger
Best personalised dog toy box
Etsywww.etsy.com
If you're after a custom dog box for your pup, opt for the MijoPetProducts Personalised Toy Box as you can choose from small, medium and large sizes, grey, white and brown colours, and you can also have your hound's name engraved on it, too. This personalised tox box would be a great gift for any dog, as well as a present for any pet owner welcoming a new arrival into their home.
Customer review: "Super quick delivery & it's absolutely gorgeous! I got medium and it fits tons of toys in! Would recommend"
Pros
- Choice of sizes and colours
- Can be personalised and doesn't cost any extra to do so
Cons
- As it's handmade, you may need to wait a little while for it to arrive compared to other options on our list but it's worth the wait!
Best dog toy basket
AmazonA simple yet stylish option for keeping your dog's playthings tidy, the Xbopetda Round Cotton Rope Basket won't look out of place in any modern home. The soft, pure cotton rope used to make it ensures the container is durable and when it's not in use, it can simply be collapsed down and stored away.
Customer review: "Looks great, very sturdy and holds everything we need. Would buy again."
Pros
- Decent size
- Choice of beige and grey for neutrally decorated homes
Cons
- Can look creased when it first arrives, but will soon drop out
Best fold flat dog toy box
AmazonThis canvas Fold Flat Grey Pet Toy Storage Box is paw-fect for organising all your dog's toys and accessories. It's fairly large inside so you should be able to fit all of their favourites in and it comes with a removable divider that you can use to separate the space inside. It has a hinged lid to shut and Velcro straps to secure it to prevent your pooch from snooping in it when you're not around.
Customer review: "Keeps the puppies' toys nice and tidy. Fantastic product at a great price."
Pros
- Comes with a divider
- Folds flat when empty
Cons
- If you pack it too full, it'll be too bulky to get the Velcro flaps to completely shut
Best rope dog toy basket
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Tidying up after your pooch isn't every pet owner's favourite job, which is why this Pets at Home Rope Pet Toy Box is perfect for quickly chucking your pup's toys in at the end of the day, or for hiding them out of the way when you get an unexpected visitor arrive at your door. It has a lovely natural finish, thanks to the polycotton rope it's made out of and looks nice and roomy inside.
Customer review: "Does the job and looks good."
Pros
- Natural finish
- Great for simply chucking toys inside
Cons
- Easily chewable so may not ideal if your dog likes to nibble on things they shouldn't
Best luxury dog toy basket
Oliver Bonaswww.oliverbonas.com
If you're after a good quality basket that will hold its shape, even when filled to the brim, take a look at this Dog Toy Jute Storage Basket from Oliver Bonas. Featuring a paw motif in the centre and a deep blue base or green stripes on the base and rim, it's ideal for keeping toys in when they're not in a playful mood. It's complete with two sturdy handles for convenience.
Customer review: "The cutest basket, really adds a little something extra to our home whilst also being great for storage for my dog's toys and blankets. Love it, 10/10."
Pros
- Cute paw motif detail
- Stylish
Cons
- Spot clean only
Best budget dog toy basket
Matalanwww.matalan.co.uk
If you're on a budget, you can't really go wrong with this Green Paw Print Toy Basket from Matalan for under £10. Styled in green with adorable white paw prints all over, it has a faux leather handle on either side that will make it easy for you to move the basket around the house and pick up toys as you go.
Pros
- Carry handles for convenience
- Great value
Cons
- No customer reviews
Best metal dog toy storage basket
AmazonFor dogs that are chewers, having a toy basket that is made with more robust materials is probably a good idea. This Spectrum Diversified Steel Bin is made from sturdy steel so it'll be able to withstand a powerful chomping. With an adorable paw print design on both of the sides, this storage bin is ideal for storing toys, treats, leads, harnesses and more.
Customer review: "My big puppy chews EVERYTHING. The first toy box I got him was torn to shreds and eaten within a few days so I decided to go metal. They don't hold a lot and I wish they had larger sizes, but it's durable and the dogs can't eat it lol"
Pros
- Ideal for chewers
- Sturdy
Cons
- Long delivery time
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.