Stealing Clothes...? Options

[Julia]

This is my first real post so I'll try and make it clear.

Our 2 year old neutered male whippet has been stealing while we are away from the house. He doesn't chew them or mark them, but he carries very specific items to his one of his beds. He seems to only take my lacy underwear (clean and dirty), my brother's shoes, and our horse items (half chaps, crop, horse boots, he even took a bridle once). While this behavior isn't really doing any physical harm to the items, it's a little embarrassing coming home to find my underwear laying all around the house or him handing it to me as I walk through the door.

I understand how the horse items might be from the smell of the horses, but is there anyway to stop the shoe/underwear issue or any kind of guess to why this has started.

More backround: I'm home from college for the summer and am home most of the dy with him. During the year, before the behavior I would come home most weekends to maintain my horses. My brother comes home occasionally, but spends most of his time at him apartment. My parents both work and are away from home from about 9 am to 3 pm. Frosty walks at the very least 3 miles a day, but will often go for 8-10 miles on weekends, in addition to spending a lot of time in our yard. He has an entire box of toys that he has access to during the day and along with being allowed on the furnature he has three different beds in different parts of the house. He has a little doggie bed in my parent's room where he sleeps during the year, but when I'm home he tends to sleep in my bed with me. The only time he is crated is when the cleaning ladies come. Sorry for the info overload... I wasn't entirely sure what would be relevant information.

Any suggestions would be great, because we're scratching our heads at this point.

[SquirrelDog6]

I would really try to contain those items. My neighbor's dog had $3,000 surgery due to some underwear left layang around by his four year old kid. Horse items are very pricey, I would hit the roof if my girls even touched my horse stuff. My Whippet destroys, but my little Chihuahua "usually" doesn't. Nine times out of ten she leaves stuff alone, but that tenth time, she has eaten stuff. It's not fun having to dig through poop and reassemble things that aren't detectable by x - ray. I usually take my dog's playing with my things as a warning that something will happen in the future. I would get him some food dispensing toys and either contain him, or contain the stuff. You never know what they're going to eat. He's most likely choosing thoose itens, because he misses you and they smell the most like you.

[Cheryl]

Andy and Molly are both stealers. Andy did it more when he was younger but Molly still does at times. One thing that seems to work is if you catch them with the item have them drop it and then hand them a proper toy. Molly is slowly learning what is hers and what is mine.

[D0ggieM0mma]

I agree that the underwear should be kept out of reach, along with socks and other potential edibles. You can do training like Cheryl says too... but I think your kiddo is stealing your stuff because he misses you when you're gone. He's gotten used to you being home all the time so when you leave he gets upset. Keep an eye on him when you start back to school since this could be an early indicator of some SA issues. Hopefully not though!

I would put up anything you don't want him to have. Give him a night shirt or something safe that smells like you and give him lots of interactive toys (kongs, busy buddys) while you're gone. Also encourage him to spend "alone time" while you're home if he's being a velcro dog. Hopefully that will help!

[Daylily]

Totally agree with above replies. We went thru a horrible time with Carson, who starting chewing just about everything of mine he could get his mouth on (funny how he never chewed any of hubby's things!) Sometimes things were chewed and destroyed and other times were just mouthed on, making me think he was chewing to get my scent.

You didn't say, but I'm guessing you've had your whippet since a puppy? And, this behavior just started since you've been home from college? I think he's picking things he's associated with you, 'cause they make him feel better. It may be difficult, but I'd try & keep anything and everything you think he'd like picked up & put away or shut away. Break the cycle of Frosty's being able to take these things. After awhile, he'll most likely give them up especially if you've given him something else that your okay with him having. Good luck!