Learning how to teach a dog two named places means pairing two distinct spoken labels with two cardboard boxes kept in their own fixed floor locations—progressing from tossing a treat into each box to making an empty-hand throwing gesture and gradually fading your arm movement, without claiming that the dog is reading written words.
Choose two distinct spoken labels
The Dogs Trust two-box exercise uses two clearly marked boxes placed in separate spots and your dog's favourite treats. Pick two spoken words that sound distinct from each other and avoid reusing a cue word already attached to another training game.
Build the first box route
Place the first box a short distance in front of or to one side of your starting spot. Say its chosen spoken word while tossing a treat toward that box so your dog walks over to collect it, then call your dog back to your starting position before repeating.
Once your dog heads eagerly toward the first box, say the spoken word and make the same throwing arm gesture without food in that hand. The moment your dog reaches the box, toss or deliver the reward there.
Battersea recommends prompt rewards the moment the desired action happens; keep your treats ready before giving the spoken label.
Add the second box destination
Place the second box in a clearly different fixed location and pair it with its own spoken word, repeating the exact same food-toss to empty-hand-gesture progression until your dog travels reliably to that second spot.
Reduce the throwing gesture and log each trial
When both boxes are in their fixed positions and each spoken word plus arm gesture sends your dog to the matching box, gradually make your throwing arm motion smaller until your dog selects the corresponding box location from the spoken label alone. Praise and reward every correct arrival.
| Trial Log Column: Spoken Label Said | Throwing Arm Gesture Used | Actual Box Destination Reached | How to Interpret the Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box A word (e.g., first named place) | Full empty-hand throwing motion toward Box A (Left). | Dog walks to Box A (Left). | Following the visible arm gesture + word; reward arrival and begin shrinking the arm swing. |
| Box B word (e.g., second named place) | Small shoulder/hand nod toward Box B (Right). | Dog walks to Box B (Right). | Transition stage—responding to the spoken label with a reduced visual prompt. |
| Box A or Box B word alone | Hands relaxed at your sides (no throwing gesture). | Dog goes to the matching fixed box location (or goes to the other box). | True spoken-label choice for that fixed location (if wrong box, bring back a small gesture for 2–3 reps). |
If learning becomes difficult or your dog guesses randomly between the two boxes, Blue Cross advises taking a break and rethinking the step before trying again later.
This game teaches a dog to walk to two named box locations in a room; teaching a dog to relax and stay on a mat is covered in our separate dog-bed settling routine.
