Why does my dog keep stealing our stuff?

Question

This is not a serious behavior problem. I'm just curious about this because I've never had a dog before.

I have a 10-month old mutt who is from the animal shelter and weighs in at 52 pounds. He is very sweet, submissive, and generally relaxed around the house.

He does this curious thing though where he takes small things and moves them. He'll take gloves, cell phones, hats, anything he can reach and just take them either upstairs or downstairs.

I've noticed on walks that he'll stop to pick up a stick and just carry it for about as long as he can.

Not even the vet is sure what breed he is. He looks like an overgrown Benji.

Again, this isn't a big problem. I'm just wondering what's going through his mind. We've nicknamed him Klypto.

Answer 1

haha! My dog does that too! He's a little packrat! Mine is a black purebred pug and he'll steal ANYTHING! He took my daughter's whole purse one time! He's got a little place where he hangs out... where the other dogs can't fit. He hides all his "loot" in there. LOL

One day I'd bought some baking sugars (the colored ones). I set the bag (with other stuff in it too) on the table for a minute. I turn around and see him digging through the bag. He pulled his head out and had one of my sugars in his mouth! I yelled at him and he dropped it... but I looked through the bag and realized the other one was missing. Went and checked his little hideout and SURE ENOUGH! Little twirp had stolen it and was coming back for the other one! HAHA.

Dogs are so funny!

Answer 2

It could be a few things. I don't think this is a vets issue. It is more of a young pup wanting lots of exercise and play. I've had/have dogs, and at 10 months, they really like to grab things and run around with them, especially if someone is chasing. Next you'll find things chewed up, if you don't pay attention, and again, it's so you will chase them when you see them do the behavior, they want all of you attention and will act out this way. You need to give your dog lots of time.

Answer 3

My friend had a dog that used to do this when she was in the shower or away from home. He would take her clothes that she had on the floor and move them to another room and place them as they were on the floor in the first room. It was very odd. We thought he just missed her and like to have her things near to him. Why he didn't just sit where they were I'm not too sure. I'm sure it's a comfort thing since my friend's dog was also from a shelter and is very attached to her. Congrats on rescuing! :)

Answer 4

That is so cute. It's actually an instinctive thing for dogs to hide things (especially for certain breeds). Many dogs never eat bones, they just burry them in the back yard thinking they'll dig it up later, but then they forget all about it. Although this is a variation of that, it sounds close enough. He's just entertaining himself.

Answer 5

Attention, energy, and instinct play a part in her behavior. Spaniels are hunting dogs and one of the things expected of them while hunting is to retreive the dead bird to the hunter. Take her for more draining exercises like swimming, longer walks, fetch, or even agility. Train her to only fetch things for you when you give the command. You might as well put this to good use and give her a job around the house to fetch certian items at your command through out the day. Such as in the morning tell her to get your slippers, pick up dropped things on the floor, ect. When she tries to demand attention act as if she is invisible and completly ignore her. Punishing her is giving her the attention she wants. She clearly wants to please you so put her in a stay when you do not want her to go off 'hunting' for items.

Answer 6

Lol nice nickname, but dogs do that, well mine does atleast. I think sometimes it has something to do with a security feeling, like when i leave my mom says my dog finds a piece of my clothing and sleeps with it. But some dogs just take off with things lol im not sure why

Answer 7

It can be a security thing for him. By taking something of yours that has your scent on it, he could be helping himself feel safe and secure in your home. Often common behavior for dogs adopted from shelters.

It could also be he's the type of do who just likes to carry things about.

he could also be signalling that he wants to play - epsecially when outside and picking up sticks. You can play tug of war with him, or fetch - or both. try tugging on thr stick next time he picks one up and see if he lets you have it or pulls back. THEN watch to see if he wags his tail while doing it. Tag wags will mean play.

Answer 8

My Lab does that but he does it to get attention. Dogs pick up quickly on what gets our attention, good or bad. My Lab will not chew the items but will usually show me and then take off with it. He knows he will get some kind of attention from it. My Pit Bull does it but he does to mimick what we do. He carries keys and phones around.

Answer 9

My dogs do that too, undercloths, spoons, water bottles, and then he takes them under our bed like it's his own personal club house or something. I think it's cute. One time we put a empty gallon of water by the trash can to take out later, and he comes trotting up the stairs holding it in his mouth, trying to take it under the bed. He's only a min. pinscher so he's pretty small. I believe it's because he sees us with it and he wants it because we had it. I look at it like a keepsake for when we are not with him.

Answer 10

haha! that is so funny. my dog used to do that too--we'd come home and their be a pile of other people's toys on our front lawn. He also liked holding a small stuffed animal in his mouth while he slept. What can I say? We like having them around, so maybe it's just their version of having a pet.