Ever caught your dog nicking your favourite slipper or the TV remote? You're not alone. As a dog trainer, it’s one of the most common challenges I see, especially with new puppy parents. But do you know you might inadvertently actually be helping to create this problem without realising it? Let me explain ...
Why Do Dogs Steal Things?
Your dog’s a little treasure hunter. When they pick something up, it's the best thing in the world to them at that moment. This is especially true for certain breeds like Labradors and other retrievers – it's literally in their DNA to pick things up and carry them around.
Just like toddlers who explore the world by touching everything in sight, puppies investigate with their mouths. It's completely natural behaviour. The problem isn't that they pick things up – it's how we react when they do.
Where We Go Wrong
Imagine your puppy grabs something they shouldn't have and you immediately dash over, trying to prise it from their mouth. While we think we're doing the right thing (after all, safety first, right?), we're actually teaching them a problematic lesson.
From your dog's perspective, every time they find 'treasure', you swoop in and take it away. What happens next? They learn to either:
- Run away when they have something (hello, game of chase!)
- Quickly swallow items before you can get to them
- Become protective of their finds (leading to resource guarding)
The Better Approach
Instead of creating a battle over stolen items, here's how to handle it:
- Prevention is Key
- Keep tempting items out of reach
- Create designated spaces for shoes, remotes and other commonly pinched items
- Install baby gates or close doors to limit access to tempting areas
- Change Your Reaction. When your dog picks something up:
- Stay calm with no dramatic reactions
- Instead of immediately trying to retrieve the item, make it a positive interaction
- Praise them for bringing items to you (yes, even if it's your sock!)
- Use gentle encouragement rather than panic or anger
- Master the Art of the Swap. Think of it as a fair exchange:
- Offer something equally or more exciting
- Never chase or pressure them
- Make bringing items to you more rewarding than running away
- Keep high-value treats handy for emergency situations
- Consider using favourite toys as trading items
Dangerous or just inconvenient?
If your pup has nabbed a sock, it's probably not the end of the world. But if they've managed to get hold of something potentially harmful (like medications or sharp objects), you'll need to act quickly but calmly.
- Create distance between your dog and the item by offering high-value treats away from the object
- Use scatter feeding to encourage them to drop the item through their own choice
- Keep your voice calm and positive, even if you're worried
- Once they're distracted, quietly remove the dangerous item
Building Better Habits
The key to success is practicing these skills before you need them. Play swapping games with your dog's toys when there's no pressure. Make it fun. The more they learn that giving things up leads to good things, the more willing they'll be to surrender items when it really matters.
If your dog has already developed serious resource guarding issues, though, please seek professional help. Every dog is different, and what works for one might not work for another.
The Key Takeaways
While it might seem easier to just tell off your dog for picking things up, taking a preventative approach and changing how we react will create a much happier relationship with them. By understanding why our dogs steal items and responding appropriately, we can turn what might be an annoying behaviour into an opportunity for positive interaction and training.
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