My Dog is a Thief

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This is Basil, he's 10 months old, house trained, sits when you tell him, stays when you tell him and even plays nice with other dogs. Looks like butter wouldn't melt. But he's a thief. He just can't help it. Shoes, watches, clothes, tools, you name it he'll take it. The second you turn your back, anything he can physically fit in his mouth he'll be off with. Our strategy has been to remove the pilfered item and relegate him to his bed as punishment, but it isn't working. If you don't get the item back the instant he grabs it, it becomes a game to catch him, which I think is partially what he enjoys. Any advice on how to get him back on the straight and narrow would be appreciated.

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Jasandjules said:

You tell him no when you see the dog with something he should not have. Take it off him and walk it away and place it out of his sight. Make no real fuss about it.

If he runs - do not chase. If he tries to grab it back, tell him no.

Makes sense, trouble is, if he gets something he'll chew it to destruction. He's completely destroyed a Sky remote. Not a problem if it's a sock, but when he did one with my Tissot the other day I had to grab him.

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Jasandjules said:

Well with our puppy we would walk over, then grab the item from his mouth, tell him no, and take it away.

Also, has your dog got enough chew toys to play with/destroy?

He's too fast now, unless the crime is committed within arms reach. Tonnes of toys, but he always prefers something he's not supposed to have.

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Anonamoose said:

Taught our Collie (who chewed everything) to leave by using treats to bribe whatever put of his mouth.

He would sit still for food, then I'd say leave until he dropped the item, then he would get the treat once I had picked the item up. Then started pretending we had food every so often to mix it up and make sure he didn't always associate it with food but with a fuss instead.

He got to the point where I can say leave and he drops something straight away, he is 10 now and still does this. He chewed everything including a brand new arai helmet when he was 4 months old, jumped over a 3 foot internal fence we had built to keep him in, dragged it out of the box and over the sofa. He was neary the stuffing of a new helmet that day.

Stick with it.

I thought of that but, thought he'd then associate stealing with food and nick something every time he fancies a snack. I think well give that go and see how we get on.

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Jasandjules said:

Too fast? So does that mean he is away on his toes as soon as he sees you coming to get the item back? In which case I suspect you have already made it into too much of a game.

I would ignore him (to reduce the fun of the game) or alternatively rattle/throw his favourite toy as soon as you see him with something stolen to distract him.

You're probably right, as soon as he sees we've spotted him he's off, then the fun begins. Will try distraction, probably treats. He'd rather keep what he's nabbed than swap it for one of his toys.