Why Swapping a Toy for a Stolen Item Doesn’t Work

We’ve all been there. You walk into the living room and your dog is parading around with one of your socks, or worse… your TV remote. Panic sets in. Your first instinct? Grab a toy and make the trade.

It feels like the sensible thing to do—after all, you’ve probably heard this advice before. Swap the sock for a toy, and everyone wins. Right?

Well… not quite.

Here’s the problem: by swapping a toy for the stolen item, you’re actually teaching your dog that stealing is a great way to get attention or a reward. To your dog, this isn’t “oops, I got caught.” It’s:

“Oh! If I grab Mum’s slipper, she brings me something fun to play with!”

Before you know it, you’ve turned theft into a game—and one that your dog is happy to play over and over again.

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Why Dogs Steal in the First Place

Dogs rarely steal things out of spite (even if it feels personal when your favourite shoe is involved). Most of the time, they do it because:

They want attention, and it works.

They’re bored and looking for entertainment.

They’ve learned that picking up “forbidden” items leads to a fun game of chase or a swap.

If your dog nabs your belongings and you instantly respond—even to chase or scold—it still counts as attention. And what do dogs do with behaviours that get attention? They repeat them.

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So, What Should You Do Instead?

Here’s where a mindset shift comes in. Instead of rewarding the stealing with a swap, try these approaches:

1. Prevention is your best friend.

The simplest way to break a stealing habit is to stop giving your dog opportunities to practise it. Be tidier. Put laundry away. Keep remotes on a shelf or side table. The less your dog can “score,” the less fun this game becomes.

2. Ignore the drama.

If your dog does manage to get hold of something they shouldn’t have, take a deep breath. Instead of rushing in to trade or chase, calmly walk away. Maybe even pick up a toy yourself and start playing without them. This teaches your dog that grabbing your belongings is a boring strategy that doesn’t get attention—and the real fun happens elsewhere.

3. Reward the behaviour you want.

When your dog engages with their own toys or chews, that’s the moment to interact, play, and give attention. Dogs repeat what works. If playing with their own stuff leads to all the fun, they’ll start making better choices.

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The Bottom Line

Trading a toy for a stolen item feels like a quick fix, but it actually fuels the very behaviour you’re trying to stop. By managing the environment, ignoring attention-seeking thefts, and rewarding the right choices, you can teach your dog that your things are boring—and their things are the best game in town.

Remember: in the world of dogs, what gets rewarded gets repeated. Choose wisely what you respond to.