stealing all day

[linda giorgi]

Morgan is now 10 months old. We have left her for 6 hours uncrated and she does not touch a thing. As soon as we are home she starts stealing anything and everything. She then dangles it in front of our face to try and get it from her. I know she wants to play the game chase me. We don't. We try not to. This goes on all day. We l;ook around to make sure nothing is left out and sure enough she finds something. She is tall now so you can not leave anything on the table or counters. I am tired of this. How do I stop it. She will even go through companies pocketbooks to steal. Very embarrasing. She has tons of toys that we play with her with. We take her to the beach or school to run everyday. She runs for at least 30 minutes straight. Never stopping. She seams to never get tired. Any suggestions

[BG and Gavin]

I know you are exasperated but this made me chuckle. They are so smart. Gavin used to do the same thing. His favorite trick was to grab abra from the laundry and parade about. He did it more than once in front of company! I think you are doing everything right. Keep up exercise and play time and he will grow out of it.

[BG and Gavin]

Here is Gavin at about 7 months old when he went through this phase: 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Sounds like you got a winner :-)
Yogi has always been a teaser. He would grab DH sock in front of him to
get him playing. Hasn't done it for a long time now, they do grow out of it.
They are so darn cute. ( well maybe not right now )

[Janet & Jaxson]

Jaxson does the same thing just maybe not as often.  I know when he does it he wants to play.  I understand when you say it is frustrating because it is but at the same time it is SO FUNNY!  And I know I will miss it when he outgrows it!  Gotta love them!

[linda giorgi]

Thanks for the help; I don't feel so alone in this.

[Deborah Brown]

Penelope is three years old and still brings a toy, shoe, slipper, whatever to the door to greet us.  Luckily she drops it immediately to get some loving.  I think the "chase me" game is what is really getting to you.  Can you ignore it?  How about offering a treat for exchange and then hold on to her while you give her some hugs?  Or exchanging the thing she shouldn't have with a tug toy?  Does Morgan play with other dogs.  Some dogs really enjoy chasing each other so if she had a friend to chase and, in return, chase her she might get some of it out of her system. 

Unfortunately, this behavior is fairly common but, fortunately, dogs seem to outgrow it.  :)

[Susan and Bentley]

Bentley is almost 3 years old and still does the exact same thing.  He didn't even do it this much as a puppy.  We get a treat and say give, and trade with him.  It's not always easy, and it's very frustrating - but he's so cute!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I do think it's all about attention....which is why she's not doing it when you aren't home.  It's a fun game for her...and often for them even negative attention is fine because it's you engaging with them.  I would really work on the drop it command.  Once they learn "drop it" you can take the item and substitute it with one of their toys....eventually they figure out that it works out better for them if they just bring you the toy.  My Guinness still runs to find a toy the minute we come home and brings it to me.  Also try your best to keep things you really don't want her to have in places that she can't get to...or gate her out of rooms when you can't watch.  I really think she will outgrow this....but the "drop it" command will help.