Why do dogs steal each other's toys?
Zoe Schiller
2025-07-01 12:05:47
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: 5
Dogs are hardwired to identify patterns in our behaviour to help them make future decisions and get what they want more quickly. This ability to recognise and act on patterns is something we can rely on 100% when it comes to training our dogs. Our dog has figured out that stealing balls results in treats. This is a perfect example of dogs recognising patterns and using them to their advantage. For example, my dog Frankie does this to some extent, but not for treats—he simply loves chasing things. Dogs are hardwired to identify patterns in our behaviour to help them make future decisions and get what they want more quickly.
Birdie Heaney
2025-06-20 20:57:55
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: 16
In most cases, this is something that humans have unwittingly encouraged their dogs to do. All puppies and dogs will explore with their mouths and will naturally try picking up or chewing most things they come across. They learn to take items they’re not supposed to this way: the dog picks up their owner’s slipper, their owner gets up and starts chasing them, which feels like a fun game to the dog, their owner catches up with the dog and pulls the slipper out of the dog’s mouth, which feels like a game of tug to the dog. The puppy or dog doesn’t know whether this is wrong or right, they just know that it is fun, and puppies do fun things again and again. 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.
Mason Nienow
2025-06-20 17:45:19
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: 11
Possessiveness is an entirely natural behavior for dogs and, in the case of dog-dog interactions, a difficult one to modify. From Brutus’s perspective, his behavior works—and every time he successfully steals a toy or defends one from another dog, his obnoxious behavior is rewarded. I know of no way to decrease his interest in toys—I expect that time outs will have the opposite effect—and I don’t want to deprive him of what are obviously a great source of joy in his life. When your dog has a toy, offer him another, better toy or treat. As he opens his mouth to take the new thing, say “drop” and praise him enthusiastically when he does. Make your dog think that whenever you say “drop,” an even cooler toy or fabulous treat will appear. You will get lots of use out of this command, and you can use it when Brutus steals another dog’s toy. Just like you wouldn’t let a son (or daughter) bully other kids at the local playground, you can’t let your pup bully other dogs at the park for their toys.
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