Why Does My Dog Steal Things?

Why Does My Dog Steal Things?

Is your pup a kleptomaniac? Are food, paper products, remote controls, socks, and all manner knick-knacks unsafe if left unattended? Listen now for the surprising reasons and answers to the question: Why does my dog steal?

The Reasons Dogs Steal

From topdogtips.com:

It can be pretty frustrating when your things go missing, but it’s so much worse when you find out that it’s your loyal pooch whose been hoarding your belongings and hiding them away from you. But why do dogs steal things, and is there a way to stop this behavior?

When your dog steals things, it’s never a malicious act; there is always a logical explanation behind this fairly common canine behavior, and this thieving behavior can be corrected. All you need to do is figure out why do dogs steal things, or rather why your particular Fido is doing that, and we can go from there. So here are some of the most common reasons why do dogs steal things and what you can do about it.

How to Stop Dogs from Stealing

From dogstrust.org.uk:

Provide physical and mental exercise

Your dog might be stealing things because they are looking for something to do or for some interaction with you. Dogs need both physical and mental stimulation to prevent boredom, and giving them suitable outlets for their energy will prevent them inventing their own means of entertainment! Our Enrichment information has some great ideas to keep your dog busy in the right way, such as providing suitable toys and chews, making homemade puzzle feeders and engaging them with some fun training.

Make sure the stealing behaviour is not rewarded

Dogs will do anything that works out well for them again and again! So, if your dog enjoys gaining your attention by stealing things, the best thing to do when they steal is to completely ignore them, as long as it is safe to do so. Simply wait until they lose interest and drop the item, then encourage them to do something else instead, such as play with a toy or enjoy a chew. Then you can remove the stolen item when they are distracted. If possible, try to avoid picking up the item straight away as you don’t want your dog to think it’s valuable because you appear to be desperate to have it!