Have you noticed things missing in your house? You might be exhausted by your golden retriever’s stealing behavior and wonder what makes them steal things.
Golden retrievers may steal things because of their innate fetching instinct, curiosity, and playfulness. Additionally, they might do this when seeking attention, experiencing boredom or anxiety, lacking stimulation, or seeking comfort.
You don’t need to worry, in this article, we will explore reasons for their stealing behavior and steps you can follow to deal with it.
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Reasons Why Golden Retrievers Steal Things
Golden retrievers’ stealing behavior is a result of many reasons as discussed below.
1. Fetching Instinct
Golden retrievers have a strong retrieving instinct to fetch and carry things.
As they were bred to retrieve game during hunting, picking up and carrying objects can be a natural behavior for them, making them prone to stealing different items.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Hunt?
2. Attention-Seeking
Dogs, including golden retrievers, steal items to seek attention from their owners.
They might do this if they feel neglected or simply want interaction.
By grabbing an item that belongs to you, they hope you will chase after them to retrieve that stolen object.
3. Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
Golden retrievers are very active and energetic dogs.
Not sufficiently exercised or mentally stimulated will lead them to engage in activities like stealing objects to alleviate their boredom and keep them entertained.
4. Anxiety and Comfort Seeking
Anxiety and stress can lead to restlessness and compulsive behaviors in dogs such as picking up and carrying objects.
Golden retrievers steal objects that smell like their owners to provide them with a sense of comfort and security or distraction from their underlying anxiety. This is their way of dealing with anxiety.
RECOMMENDED READING: Anxiety in Golden Retrievers: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
5. Curiosity
Dogs, especially puppies, are curious by nature so they explore their environment by mouthing and carrying different things.
This behavior can lead them to steal items that catch their interest.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Carry Things?
6. Playfulness
Golden retrievers, in particular, are known for their playful nature. They enjoy playing, and taking objects can be a fun game for them.
How to Stop Golden Retrievers from Stealing Things?
To stop your golden retriever from taking things they shouldn’t, you can use several strategies that focus on redirecting their behavior, providing appropriate training, and managing their environment.
Here are some effective methods to prevent your golden retriever from stealing things.
1. Dog School
Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, you should start training them as soon as you become their owner by bringing them to your home.
It is important to train them early on as later when they get old, it gets hard to get rid of the accustomed habits and behaviors.
Structured training programs in dog schools help your dog learn important social skills and appropriate behaviors.
Enrolling your golden retriever in such schools can be beneficial for teaching them not to steal items.
These programs focus on reinforcing positive behaviors and teaching commands that redirect your dog’s attention away from inappropriate behaviors like stealing.
Besides training your dog, this school teaches pet owners how to train them and give them basic commands like sit, stay, and lie down understandably.
As your dog will interact with other dogs, it can positively impact your dog’s social behavior.
2. Provide Sufficient Exercise
Golden retrievers are energetic dogs that require regular physical exercise.
Because of boredom, they can steal household items to entertain themselves and get your attention.
Therefore, ensure your dog gets enough daily exercise through walks, playtime, and other activities.
A tired dog is less likely to get bored and engage in unwanted behaviors like stealing.
3. Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is as important for your golden retriever as physical exercise.
Providing them with a suitable outlet for their energy may prevent them from seeking their entertainment.
Keep your golden retriever mentally stimulated by providing them with toys, chews, puzzle feeders, and fun training sessions. Maintain their interest by regularly rotating their toys.
Mental exercise can help reduce boredom which often leads to unwanted behaviors and prevent them from theft out of mischief.
4. Ignore Them
If you notice that your golden retriever is stealing things to seek your attention, the best solution is to ignore this behavior completely.
If they learn that they get your attention by stealing, they may continue doing this in the future.
By repeatedly ignoring this behavior, your dog will understand that stealing is ineffective in gaining your attention and thus they will eventually stop this behavior.
5. Positive Reinforcement
Whenever your golden retriever chooses to play with their toys or engage in acceptable behaviors instead of stealing, immediately praise and reward them.
Use treats, verbal praise, or their favorite toys to reinforce the positive behavior.
By rewarding their good behavior, you are encouraging them to repeat it in the future.
6. Effective Training Techniques
Start by teaching your golden retriever basic obedience commands like “leave it” and “drop it” preferably if they are still a puppy as it’s easier to train them.
This will help you take control of objects they’ve taken and shift their attention to better activities.
Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, affection, or praise to reward them when they obey these commands. Practice these commands regularly in different situations.
RELATED: How Do Golden Retrievers Show Affection?
If you have other family members living with you ensure that they all follow the same commands and rules to avoid confusion in your dog.
7. Teach Your Dog to Exchange Things
It can be beneficial to train your golden retriever to exchange something they have for something equally or more valuable.
For instance, if you need to take away a toy from your golden retriever, offer them another favorite toy or a tasty treat in exchange beforehand.
This teaches them that giving up one item leads to receiving something even better in return.
Whenever possible, return your golden retriever’s original item to them after you’ve completed the swap with a better item.
This helps reinforce the idea that giving up something temporarily results in gaining a more rewarding item without losing the original possession permanently.
8. Make Sure the Stealing Behavior Is Not Rewarded
Dogs learn and repeat behaviors that bring them positive outcomes.
Ensure that stealing behavior is not rewarded in dogs by avoiding any reaction or attention when they steal items.
Refrain from chasing or scolding them, as this can inadvertently reinforce the behavior by providing attention or excitement.
When your golden retriever naturally drops the stolen item, don’t immediately pick it up as this may unintentionally signal its value to your dog.
Instead, focus on redirecting your dog’s attention and reinforcing positive behaviors with toys or activities they enjoy. This approach helps discourage stealing behavior over time.
9. Use Environmental Management
To prevent stealing behavior in your golden retriever, it’s important to remove tempting items from their reach or securely store them in cabinets or drawers.
Clear countertops of food and other objects that attract your dog’s attention.
Furthermore, establishing a structured environment with clear boundaries can reduce stealing behavior.
Designate a specific area, like a toy box or designated play area, where your golden retriever can access toys and objects for them to play with.
By providing suitable alternatives, you can discourage stealing behavior and promote positive interactions with their toys and designated items.
10. Be Prepared For Things to Get Worse Before They Get Better
Ignoring your dog’s stealing behavior can lead to confusion, especially if you previously reacted by chasing them to retrieve the item.
This can reinforce the behavior because your golden retriever may see stealing as a way to get attention or a reaction from you.
They may steal more and even bring you the stolen items, thinking it’s a fun game or a way to interact with you.
But if you stay patient and consistent in ignoring this behavior, they will learn over time that engaging in stealing will not help them gain your attention.
Instead, doing other things such as playing with their toys will help them get your attention.
11. Avoid Punishment
Avoid punishing your dog and be careful not to scare or scold your dog for stealing, as this could create fear or anxiety in them, making the behavior worse instead of resolving it.
Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and redirection.
12. Consistency
Make sure you are consistent in your training and management strategies.
Reinforce positive behaviors consistently and avoid unintentionally rewarding unwanted behaviors.
13. Seek Professional Help if Needed
If your golden retriever’s stealing behavior persists despite your efforts or they start showing obsessive or destructive behavior or signs of aggression when you try to take the stolen object back, consider seeking advice from a professional dog trainer or certified animal behaviorist.
RELATED: Why Is My Golden Retriever Puppy Being Aggressive?
They can evaluate your dog’s behavior, rule out any medical causes, and provide you with a personalized plan to address the problem.
When Your Dog Takes Something Valuable Or Potentially Harmful…
It’s important to address the situation calmly. Avoid reacting with panic or anger.
If your golden retriever has taken something valuable like your expensive shoes or that could be harmful to them like a packet of tablets, make a distraction by walking out of the room to see if they follow you or making a noise by opening a door.
Once your dog has dropped the item and moved away from it, keep them occupied by offering their favorite toy or treat.
In the meantime, you can safely remove the stolen object from their reach.
Consequences of Not Addressing Stealing Behavior
Unchecked stealing behavior in dogs can lead to various risks and problems that can impact your dog’s well-being as mentioned below.
1. Choking or Ingestion of Harmful Objects
Dogs may steal and ingest items that pose a choking hazard or are toxic to their health, such as small toys, medications, household chemicals, or even a piece of jewelry.
This can lead to serious health issues requiring emergency veterinary care.
2. Damage to Household Items
Dogs that engage in stealing behavior may cause damage to household items such as furniture, clothing, shoes, electronics, and other valuables like important documents.
This can result in costly repairs or replacements of the damaged items.
3. Reinforcement of Undesirable Behavior
If stealing behavior is not addressed,it can become a learned and reinforced habit over time.
Your golden retriever may learn that stealing results in attention which can perpetuate the behavior, making it more challenging to modify in the future.
4. Risk of Injury
Your dog may injure themselves while trying to steal or play with certain items, especially if those items are not safe for them.
5. Intestinal Blockages
Ingesting non-food items like socks, underwear, or bones can cause intestinal blockages, which are life-threatening conditions requiring surgical intervention.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Love Socks?
6. Increased Stress and Anxiety
Dogs that engage in repetitive or compulsive behaviors like stealing may experience increased stress and anxiety.
They may become overly attached to the items they steal, especially if they find comfort or entertainment from these objects.
This dependency can lead to the dog seeking out these items when left alone or experiencing anxiety.
7. Negative Impact on Training Progress
Unchecked stealing behavior can interfere with training for other desirable behaviors, as your golden retriever may become more focused on stealing rather than following commands.
8. Continued Undesirable Behavior
Unaddressed stealing behavior can be a symptom of underlying behavioral issues such as boredom, anxiety, or lack of appropriate outlets for mental and physical stimulation.
If left unchecked, these underlying issues can manifest in other undesirable behaviors.
9. Strain on Owner-Dog Relationship
Continuous stealing can lead tofrustration and strain in the relationship between your dog and you, affecting the overall bond and trust.
Conclusion
Understanding the reasons behind why your golden retriever steals things is key to addressing the issue effectively. By applying the methods discussed in the article, you can effectively reduce their stealing behavior. Remember to be patient and consistent with training while continuing to use positive reinforcement to correct undesirable habits.
However, if stealing persists despite all your efforts and is accompanied by signs of anxiety, aggression, or obsessive behavior, it may indicate an underlying issue that requires consulting with a vet or certified animal behaviorist.
You can read these related articles next:
Why Does My Golden Retriever Bring Me Things?
Why Does My Golden Retriever Sit On Me?
Why Does My Golden Retriever Follow Me Everywhere?
Why Do Golden Retrievers Bite Your Arm?
Why Do Golden Retrievers Roll On Their Backs?
Why Do Golden Retrievers Go Between Your Legs?
Why Do Golden Retrievers Paw at You?
Why Do Golden Retrievers Sleep On Their Back?