Mom Gives Pit Bull ‘Chores’ Because She Doesn’t Believe in Raising ‘Freeloaders’
If you have a dog, chances are they’re more likely to sit squarely on the laundry basket than help fold socks. But Rhubarb the Pit Bull is different—her mom firmly believes in raising responsible pups, not freeloaders. So instead of lounging around all day, Rhubarb has a full household to-do list.
In early March, Rhubarb’s human shared a charming video showing just how seriously this pup takes her responsibilities. The clip opens with Rhubarb “helping” with laundry—carrying towels, nudging baskets, and even sitting politely beside the hamper while her mom sorts clothes. Her duties don’t stop there: she also supervises household repairs (tail wagging steadily from her perch on the couch), serves as a vigilant lookout for intruders—even the most suspicious leaf drifting across the porch—and fiercely guards her mom’s spot on the sofa.
“I love this!” wrote one fan. “We should start getting our puppy used to doing chores at a young age so we aren’t raising a freeloader either!” Rhubarb’s playful, purposeful energy quickly won hearts online. One commenter joked, “Rhubarb needs a little vacation from working so flipping hard!” Another shared, “My dog also alerts us to intruders—a leaf blowing across the porch!” And Sonya added with a smile, “I spent weeks teaching mine to put his toys back in the bin, so there’s that.” Rhubarb’s mom replied, “We’re gonna have to have a chat with Rhubarb about this one…”
Chores That Dogs Can Really Learn
Teaching your dog to participate in daily routines isn’t just cute—it’s entirely doable. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, many dogs can learn helpful, low-stakes tasks that strengthen their confidence and deepen your bond.
Start with foundational commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “drop it,” and “fetch.” These form the building blocks for more complex behaviors. From there, you can gradually introduce practical chores:
- Toy pickup: Teach your dog to gather and drop toys into a designated bin—great for reinforcing impulse control and focus.
- Light switching: If your dog can reliably nudge or paw a switch (and you’ve safety-proofed it), turning lights on and off becomes a fun, functional trick.
- Door assistance: Many dogs learn to push open slightly ajar doors—or even nudge them closed with their nose—especially when motivated by access to favorite spaces or treats.
One owner shared how her puppy learned to open the back door to come inside—and they’re now working on the “close it” step. “That one is taking a little extra work,” she admitted with a laugh.
Remember: keep training sessions short (5–10 minutes), upbeat, and reward-based. Focus on one skill at a time, and always end on a success—even if it’s just a well-timed “yes!” and a treat. Consistency matters far more than intensity.
“I can’t wait to teach our puppy to pick up all of her toys,” one reader said. “They’re scattered about the house—and just like the kids, she needs to learn how to pick up after herself!”
At FurPetVo, we celebrate the clever, capable, and deeply devoted companions who enrich our lives—not just as pets, but as true members of the family. For more heartwarming stories, training tips, and expert advice, visit furpetvo.com.
