I never set out to do “Montessori-style” learning with my dog, but looking at everything we do, it turns out that’s exactly what’s happening! Montessori is all about hands-on learning, independence, problem-solving, and real-world skills—and if you’ve been around here for a while, you know that’s basically Pharaby’s whole life.
She’s not just learning tricks; she’s learning skills. She communicates with AIC buttons to tell me what she wants, picks her own meals, paints by holding a paintbrush in her mouth, and even helps around the house. She knows how to put toys away, open and close cabinets, put coins in a piggy bank, do a ring toss, and place her back feet on a bucket. Oh, and now? We’re adding flashcards into the mix to learn colors and shapes.
Why Teach a Dog This Way?
Dogs thrive when they get to make choices and use their brains. I don’t want Pharaby to just follow commands—I want her to learn, think, and have fun doing it. The more I let her explore and figure things out, the more confident and engaged she is.
I also don’t push her to do things she’s not interested in. For example, with painting, I don’t tell her to paint—I just offer it as an option & if she wants to, great. If not, that’s fine too. That’s a big part of what makes this whole thing feel more natural instead of just training for the sake of training. 99% of the time she uses her AIC buttons to ask for the activity, occasionally I suggest an activity but it's usually her idea.
How to Try Montessori Learning with Your Dog
If you want to introduce more hands-on, choice-based learning with your pup, here are some fun things to try:
* Object Recognition – Teach them the names of toys or items and have them pick the right one.
* Sorting & Stacking – Use rings, cups, or blocks for them to sort. Pharaby loves her ring toss!
* Picking Up & Putting Away – Teach them to put their toys in a basket or move items from one place to another.
* Art & Creativity – Let them try painting (if they want to!).
* Communication – If you use buttons, start with simple ones and let them naturally explore how to use them.
* Balance & Body Awareness – Have them put paws on balance pods, step onto a platform, or use their back feet for different tasks.
The key is to let them make choices, explore, and have fun. It’s not about making them perform—it’s about letting them learn.
So yeah… I guess I accidentally started raising a Montessori Pup. And I love it. 🐾💛
