Why Does My Dog Steal My Clothes? 6 Likely Reasons & What to Do
Have you ever come home and found your favorite shoes getting chewed up by your beloved dog? Or did you think that the washing machine swallowed one of your socks, but then you found it in your dog’s bed? If you’re not careful, your dog might run off with your underwear, so it can help to understand why your dog does this in the first place. Below, we'll go over several reasons that dogs seem attracted to their owners’ clothing, along with tips on protecting your belongings from your dog’s rather strange attention.
The 6 Reasons That Dogs Steal Clothing
Your dog isn’t stealing or chewing on your clothing for any nefarious reasons. Knowing this can help you understand your dog better.
1. Your Clothes Smell Like You
If your dog steals your dirty laundry, it’s probably because it smells like you. The smellier your clothing, the more your dog probably loves it. If you throw your clothes on the floor or leave them where they’re easily accessible, your dog might even think you’ve left them there as a gift.
In those cases, your dog might bring the clothing to their bed to have your scent nearby for comfort. Dogs are social animals, and familiar scents can provide comfort and a sense of security.
2. They Have Anxiety and Stress
Dogs that experience stress and anxiety are more likely to run off with something that smells like you. This can be a coping behavior that helps them deal with their anxiety.
Stealing clothing that smells like you is not only comforting but also a sign of self-soothing in some dogs.
3. Clothing Is Soft and Chewable
Dogs love soft things. This could be related to natural predatory and exploratory behaviors. Chewing on soft items might be appealing due to their texture. This also plays into the fact that dogs just love to chew. Chewing is a normal behavior that all dogs have. If they aren’t given an appropriate chew toy, they might chew on whatever they can find, which can include your belongings.
4. They Are Bored
If a dog isn’t getting enough physical or mental stimulation, their behavior can become destructive. They need to find ways to entertain themselves, which can lead to stealing things and chewing forbidden items.
Dogs need plenty of physical exercise and mental enrichment to expend their energy. If they don’t have enough toys for chewing or enough playtime with you, it can lead to your dog destroying your yard and belongings.
5. They Are Looking for Attention
Dogs can be mischievous rascals at times, and stealing your clothing so you can chase them becomes an entertaining game for them. It’s even more fun if they get in an additional game of tug-of-war with one of your socks. This behavior can be reinforced if your dog learns that it leads to interaction or playtime with you.
6. Dogs Are Scavengers
A dog’s natural foraging tendencies can drive them to scavenge, which makes them excellent thieves. Dogs are usually on the lookout for food or something smelly that is soft and fun to play with. This also means your dog probably steals other things besides your clothing.
The 5 Tips to Stop Your Dog From Stealing Your Clothes
For the most part, stealing clothes isn't an unusual behavior, but you may lose a few articles of clothing. However, chewing on a foreign object is a choking hazard and can cause an intestinal blockage. So, here are a few tips that can hopefully prevent this behavior.
1. Spend Quality Time With Them
If you’re away from home frequently, spend as much time as you can with your dog when you have free time. Go to the dog park, take long walks, throw a ball, or do whatever your dog enjoys. Providing regular physical exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce unwanted behaviors. Tire your dog out! A happy dog that is not bored is much less likely to be mischievous.
2. Give Them Chew Toys
Providing your dog with toys can prevent boredom, particularly if your dog likes chewing on your belongings. Dog-appropriate chew toys can entertain your dog and provide mental stimulation. Even if you already have several toys for your dog, consider getting new ones if they’ve been around for a while. You can swap a few old ones with the new toys and then bring out the old ones again when your pup gets bored with them.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement
Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, so instead of chasing or yelling at your dog when they grab your sock, avoid reinforcing the behavior by not engaging in chasing games and redirect them to an appropriate toy. When your dog chooses the correct item, reward them with praise or treats. If you react every time your dog grabs your clothing, they will keep doing it because it becomes a fun game, and they have your full attention.
4. Don’t Leave Your Clothing Out
If no socks or T-shirts are lying around, your dog can’t run off with them. Try keeping your clothing in the closet with the door closed, and keep your dirty laundry in a hamper with a tight-fitting lid. Without the temptation of your clothing, your dog will have nothing to steal.
5. Give Your Dog Your Clothing
If you believe your dog needs something that smells like you for comfort, wear an old t-shirt for a day and put it in your dog’s bed. This is only recommended for dogs that won’t chew up the clothing for safety reasons.
If your dog just wants to snuggle up in something soft that smells like you, they won’t need to steal anything. However, if your dog seems to have anxiety issues, you should speak to your vet.
Conclusion
Dogs will be dogs, and they are talented at sneaking up and sneaking off with something of ours, like clothes. As long as your dog isn’t chewing up and destroying your belongings, it’s usually a harmless behavior. But if there’s any chance that your dog is chewing or eating your clothes, you’ll need to stop the behavior. You should also speak to your vet if you’re concerned, particularly if your dog seems to be suffering from anxiety.
It's best to spend extra time exercising and playing with your dog. That way, they will feel safe and secure and might not resort to stealing your underwear!
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Featured Image Credit: k_o_n_d, Shutterstock
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Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things pets. When she was a kid, she hoped to work in a zoo or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat or two and a dog.
