Why do dogs steal and hide?
“ A dog may take and hide an object if it is valuable to them and they feel the need to protect it,” explains qualified animal behaviourist, Paige Grala, founder of Gentled Animals. Hiding or“ grabbing” is a natural behaviour that comes from an instinct to store resources.
So, what can you do?
Stealing and hiding household items may seem harmless at first, but it can quickly become frustrating. Paige suggests these techniques:
Identify the“ why”
Ask yourself why your dog takes the item. Paige explains:“ Often, it relates to unmet needs, boredom, curiosity or the dog feeling the need to protect certain resources.” Knowing the“ why” helps you prevent future stealing and hiding.
Some dogs are more prone to it than others.“ Dogs bred for hunting or digging may be more likely to hide or bury items because they naturally engage in digging and caching behaviours.”
When should you worry?
Stealing and hiding things is fairly harmless.“ However, it becomes a concern if the dog appears distressed, shows signs of resource guarding, damages important items, or if it causes significant stress for the guardians,” cautions Paige. With any behaviour, it becomes a problem when it negatively affects the wellbeing of the dog or the household.
Teach a reliable“ drop it” cue
Focus on prevention over punishment
Provide enrichment opportunities
“ A reliable‘ drop it’ cue is best taught using positive reinforcement,” says Paige. This involves trading the item for something of equal or higher value and rewarding your dog for releasing it.
Punishment often backfires, increasing stress and insecurity. One of the biggest errors owners make is shouting or yanking the object away.“ This only increases the dog’ s desire to guard or hide items in the future.”
Paige recommends puzzle feeders, scent games, chew toys, training sessions and activities that allow dogs to express natural behaviours.
It’ s important to remember that dogs are not being spiteful or“ naughty”.“ They are responding to what feels valuable or necessary to them,” explains Paige.“ If the behaviour becomes difficult to manage, working with a qualified behaviourist can help.”
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