Dogs stealing things can be funny the first few times it happens.
A sock disappears. Your dog trots into the room carrying something they definitely shouldn’t have. You approach them to retrieve it and suddenly you’re involved in a chase around the house.
But when it starts happening regularly – or your dog becomes reluctant to give things back – it can quickly become frustrating and, in some circumstances, concerning.
So why do dogs do it?
The answer isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem.
Your Dog Probably Doesn’t Think They’re “Stealing”
We naturally look at dog behaviour from a human perspective.
We know the slipper belongs to us. The dog doesn’t.
From their point of view, they’ve found an interesting object and picked it up. What happens next can then determine whether stealing things becomes a behaviour they repeat.
For some dogs, the object itself is rewarding. It smells interesting, feels good to carry or is simply something different.
For others, what happens after they pick it up is far more interesting.
Suddenly everyone is looking at them. Somebody approaches. Perhaps there’s a chase. Perhaps the owner starts talking to them or trying to persuade them to drop it.
What began as picking up a sock has inadvertently become a rather entertaining game.
Why Won’t My Dog Give Things Back?
This is where it’s important not to assume that every dog is behaving for the same reason.
I’ve worked with dogs where taking objects is largely attention-seeking behaviour.
I’ve encountered others where excitement and the owner’s response have become part of the pattern.
And there are dogs for whom possession of an object is more significant.
The behaviour may look very similar from the outside, but what’s driving it can be quite different.
That’s important because simply searching online for “how do I stop my dog stealing things?” and applying a generic technique doesn’t necessarily address what’s actually happening with your dog.
Is It Resource Guarding?
Not necessarily.
A dog running away with your slipper isn’t automatically displaying resource guarding.
However, if your dog becomes tense when you approach, freezes over an object, growls, snaps or displays other behaviour that concerns you when you attempt to retrieve something, that’s something I would take more seriously.
In those circumstances, repeatedly trying to take the item away isn’t something I’d recommend as a way of resolving the problem. Depending on what’s driving the behaviour, repeatedly creating that confrontation can make the situation more difficult and potentially increase the risk of somebody being bitten.
Again, context matters.
There is a considerable difference between a young dog who has discovered that stealing a tea towel starts a brilliant game of chase and a dog that genuinely doesn’t want somebody approaching an item in their possession.
They shouldn’t automatically be treated as the same problem.
If you’re seeing growling, snapping or other signs of guarding, I’d recommend getting professional advice so that the behaviour can be properly assessed before deciding how to address it.
Be Careful About The Pattern You’re Creating
One of the interesting things about dog behaviour is how easily we can become part of it without realising.
Dog picks something up.
Owner reacts.
Dog responds to the owner’s reaction.
Owner reacts again.
Repeat that often enough and you can end up with a very well-established pattern where both dog and owner know their parts extremely well.
That doesn’t mean you’ve deliberately taught your dog to steal things. It simply means the interaction itself may have become rewarding or significant to them.
Understanding that distinction is much more useful than simply labelling your dog “naughty”.
When Should You Speak To A Dog Trainer?
If stealing has become a regular problem, your dog is becoming increasingly reluctant to give things back, or you’re concerned about their behaviour when you approach them, it’s worth looking at what’s actually driving it.
That’s particularly important if there is growling, snapping or guarding behaviour involved.
I wouldn’t attempt to diagnose the cause from a short description because the same outward behaviour can have very different motivations.
That’s where seeing the dog, understanding their history and looking at the circumstances surrounding the behaviour becomes important.
How I Can Help
I’ve worked with many owners dealing with unwanted behaviours that have gradually become established in everyday life.
My free 15-minute consultation isn’t a training session and I won’t attempt to diagnose your dog or give you a remediation plan during the call.
What we can do is talk about what you’re experiencing. I can explain some of the possible reasons dogs display this type of behaviour and talk about similar cases I’ve dealt with successfully.
From there, I can recommend the number of training sessions I believe we’ll need to properly assess what’s happening and work with you on an appropriate plan.
If your dog has turned stealing the washing into their favourite pastime – or you’re concerned there’s something more significant behind the behaviour – book a free 15-minute consultation and we can have a chat about what’s happening.