How to stop a dog stealing toys from other dogs is something that many dog owners may be looking for, considering that many dogs share this bad habit. What solution it takes to stop this behavior may vary based on whether the dog stealing the toys is doing so aggressively, with a true intent to harm, or whether the dog is simply playing or do so just because the other dog allows it. Telling the dog’s real intent is not always easy for dog owners to differentiate, but there may be some telltale signs that a professional may readily recognize. There are several strategies to stop a dog from stealing toys, but not all are suitable for resource guarding dogs who ultimately require the intervention of a dog behavior professional for safety.
Dog Stealing Toys From Other Dogs in Play
Sometimes play behavior among dogs can get quite rough and it may be difficult differentiating dogs who are playing from dogs who are fighting or have an intent to fight.
When toys are around, dogs may have fun stealing each others’ toys and taking turns having access to the toy. It often starts something like this: dog A is chewing on a toy, when dog B approaches and starts barking in the dog’s face. Dog A often gets annoyed and may growl and perhaps pick up the toy and move to another area.
Dog A may not take “no” for an answer and may persist in seeking out other strategies to gain access to the toy. My female dog for example has gotten quite creative here. She has gone as far as rushing and barking at the door enticing dog A to come and check things out, and then the moment my boy was up, she went rushing to steal the toy. Other times, she’ll has been coming to me to elicit attention hoping that our other dog would join in to steal the toy the moment he moved away from it.
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On some days, she even manage to bark and then howl, knowing that our male dog would join in the chorus and drop the toy and bingo!, she would steal it right under his nose! It was sure fun watching all her astute antics and creativity purposely crafted to just get him to drop the ball and get him to chase her.
Usually dogs who steal as part of a game use metacommunication under the form of play bows, high-pitched barks and loose body movements that emphasize that they are just engaging in play and there is no ill-intent. This form of stealing generally is not harmful, as long as no harm is done and both dogs seem to have fun.
Puppies Stealing Toys from Older Dogs
When a new puppy (or adult dog) enters the home of an older, resident dog, each dog will carefully monitor each other.
As the two dogs get more familiar with each other, they will carefully look for signs that may indicate how the other dog may react to any given action, points out John Bradshaw in the book “Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet.” Soon, both dogs will
Puppies love toys and therefore may sometimes try to “test” an older dog’s behaviors to see what they can get away with.
They may soon learn that advancing when the older dog is eating, may lead to a frightening warning growl, while stealing a toy under his nose may have no consequence.
Usually no intervention may be needed, as long as the older is fine with the pup’s behavior as he or she places a low value on the toys or doesn’t feel threatened by a young puppy who has yet to develop. Many older dogs allow puppies to get away with things hey wouldn’t with older dogs, thus, granting them with what is known as a temporary “puppy license.”
Things tend to change though as the puppy matures and gets more “bratty.” Around 6 months, many pups become doggy adolescents and things may start brewing and risk exacerbating especially among same-sex dogs once they reach social maturity at around 12 to 36 months.
Stopping A Dog Stealing Toys From Other Dogs Aggressively
Now, there is aggression and aggression. Growling is a form of communication, and dogs should be allowed to communicate among each other as long as it’s done without causing harm.
Growling is often perceived as a threat, and while this is true to a certain extent, but it’s also a way to solve conflict without dogs putting themselves in harms way. It’s dogs “using their words.” Dog professionals may refer to growling as a form of “ritualized aggression.”
For more serious stealing behaviors, things can get tricky as behind a stealing dog there is often a dog allowing the stealing to take place. Interaction after interaction, the dog stealing the toys gains more and more confidence, and that day, should the other dog object or should the dog stealing toys try to steal from other dogs who object, then, things can get awry.
The dog may escalate the growling to more intense threats. An air snap, although scary, is a purposely missed bite. Dogs can certainly aim well to bite, but in this case they just don’t want to. Further escalation may lead to an inhibited bite (bite without doing harm) or a bite meant to harm should things get bad enough and both dog are fighting.
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Often problems around resources start becoming more problematic once a young dog reaches social maturity, which usually takes place between 12 to 36 months. At this time, the younger dog may start challenging the older dog, and this may lead to squabbles around food, toys and owner’s attention.
If the older dog capitulates, according to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall, the situation usually resolves. Problems start though when either dog refuses to give way, which potentially leads to interdog aggression.
Ways to Help Dogs “Share”
When dealing with dogs stealing toys from other dogs there are two objectives to reach. One entails teaching the approaching dog not to steal other dogs’ belongings, and the other entail teaching the dog whose toys are stolen to relax.
Care should be taken in not punishing the thief, considering that he may associate the punishment, not with his stealing behavior, but with the other dog, and this can exacerbate things creating more tension (and potential fights) rather than making things better.
Not too long ago, (true story) an owner decided to use a shock collar to correct her dog for stealing toys from her other dog. She applied shock the moment the dog got his mouth on the toy. These dogs never had a fight in their life, just minor “vocal disagreements.” Shock after shock, the dog stealing started attacking the dog he was stealing the toy from.
Another worrisome scenario is the dog owner correcting dogs prone to stealing toys out of play by removing the toys. This may lead to real resource guarding towards the owner because the owner assumes a negative connotation, and therefore, becomes a threatening entity that removes resources.
As mentioned, how to stop a dog from stealing toys from other dogs may vary based on whether the dog is playing or engaging in potentially harmful bullying that could to aggression.
The way the issue is tackled may therefore range from doing nothing, to providing plenty of toys, limiting the opportunities to steal through redirection, close supervision when toys are provided, and if necessary, separating dogs (tethers, baby gate, different rooms) so that they can each enjoy their toys in peace.
Depending on the situation, dog owners may be instructed to take different approaches. To find the ideal method, it is best to consult with a dog behavior professional for a careful evaluation considering the risks for injuries involved with using a certain method.
How to Stop a Dog Stealing Toys From Other Dogs
“Doing nothing” may work fine only for dogs who are playing or for dogs who simply have minor vocal disagreements. Once again, these are just “normal discussions.” This is a far cry from “letting dogs work things out” as these dogs are not really fighting, just communicating.
The dog stealing may say “I want that!” and the dog whose toy is being stolen may allow that, saying in non-verbal body language: “Here, you can have it, I can care less about that!” These are dogs who generally place a low value on the toys. Dogs may put a different “price tag” on certain resources, and therefore, some dogs may be willing to negotiate when the value is insignificant.
Sometimes a careful evaluation is needed though, as these dogs may give up the toy just out of blunt intimidation: “Here, take it, this toy is not worthy of fighting over, I don’t want to be harmed. You scare me when you approach me this way.” These dogs may display a fearful body posture, ears back, lip licking and yawning as an appeasement signal. These dogs are being bullied and may lead a tense life.
For mild cases, it is possible to give to the dog stealing toys oodles of attention when the other dog is playing with his toys so that he eventually learns that patience pays and sharing leads to something even better. A leash can provide better control and prevent attempts to steal until the behavior of looking at the owner for treats is well-under stimulus control. Giving treats might be a great way to create positive associations while the other dog is approaching or playing with toys the dog considers as “his.”
For example, the moment the other dog interacts with his toys, you can make a smacking sound with your mouth and feed your dog several high-value treats in a row and loads of praise “good booooy” as you feed them. Another example? You are playing fetch and the ball happens to go to other dog? That means smacking sound with your mouth, and several treats fed in a row with praise until the other dog drops the ball at your hand. While helpful, caution is needed though with this approach if your dog has a history of aggression. Have a professional help you out, and if one or both dogs have a history of resource guarding food, skip this method.
[adinserter block=”1″]There are several cues that can also be trained to prevent the dog from stealing toys. If one dog has a toy, the other dog should be given a cue to “leave it” and come to the owner for attention/rewards. Again, this may be fine as long as this doesn’t provoke resource guarding. Other helpful cues are solid responses to “stay” behavior and going to a mat.
Sometimes, mild cases of a dog stealing toys from other dogs may benefit from engaging both parties with a long tug toy, one dog tugging on either end. Dogs learn to enjoy “sharing” in this case as the game is all about creating “resistance.” Once one dog has access to the toy, the fun ends as there’s no longer “resistance.” However, for some resource guarders, the value of stealing the toy and having it all for themselves may surpass the fun of tugging with a pal.
Providing interactive toys (toys filled with kibble/treats such as a Kong) to both dogs at the same time may provide an option where the dogs get to “play” in peace as their focus is on their own toys rather than each other. However, care must be taken to prevent the dog prone to stealing from approaching and trying to “steal the toy” from the other dog should he happen to finish first. Best to have a precaution in place such as a baby gate between both dogs, or the dog prone to stealing on a tether or leash for the most aggressive cases.
A dog prone to stealing may be also be trained to lie on a mat with his treat-stuffed toy and not get up until the other dog has finished his. Giving some treats every now and then may reward the dog’s patience.
Providing plenty of toys and keeping them always out can sometimes help make toys less salient for mild cases. This is based on the principle that scarcity is what increases the value of toys. This works sometimes, but not always. In my experience, it works better as a preventive more than a treatment. Some dogs just want the toy the other dogs has, no matter what. They can even each have the same exact toy, but the other dog just wants that one. Care is warranted with new toys as these can be very valuable compared to ordinary toys seen on a daily basis.
And of course, management is always the safest option. If you are unsure how your dog may react, but want your other dog to play with toys, keep him in a crate or behind a baby gate to enjoy a chew or stuffed Kong while your other dog plays. Once your dog is done with the chew toy, stop the play session and remove the toys. If you do this often, he will come to look forward to your play sessions with your other dog and his toys as it means “goodies time” as this good time is always contingent upon play time.
Of course, a disclaimer is warranted here: cases where there is potential aggression or any intent to do harm, require the intervention of a professional. Keeping the dogs separated when having toys or other resources (sticks, empty bottles) may be the best approach so to keep the dogs safe and preventing the resource guarding dog from rehearsing troublesome behaviors over and over.
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