New kleptomaniac dog

[ChoudeBruxelles]

We got a new (10 month old) cocker spaniel a week ago. He's lovely apart from when he steals things that he knows he's not meant to have. He hides under the kitchen table and growls/snaps if you try to get whatever it is off him. I'm trying to ignore/get him to come out for something else but he's just stolen a knife from the kitchen work top

Any ideas how to get him to come over. Give up stolen stuff without him biting me

He's just stolen my bra by knocking over the laundry basket

Give him something better in return that he can't possibly resist. Reward him for leaving the stolen thing alone and coming to you. Although I realise that you probably don't feel like rewarding. I was always told ignore the bad behaviour and reward the good.

Pic of pup please!

Have been doing that. Hopefully over time that will work. Guess it's just building up trust

Don't know how to add a pic from the app

I've got a dog like this. He started it as a puppy. He is now three but still does it a couple of times a week. Trying to take it back by force just makes him angry. Now we offer him a biscuit and he will calmly drop the 'hostage' item as a fair trade.

I agree with the idea that you should just exchange the item for a small treat. I have a working cocker and she goes everywhere with something in her mouth. It's usually a shoe or sock. It's part of their breeding.

Also suggest you don't make a big issue over it as it'll turn into attention seeking behaviour.

We've got two springers who perpetually carry things around and have a huge array of toys. Will keep trying the ignore and treat approach. One of out springer stole things when he was younger but was never aggressive when we tried to get them back. It was just a game to him.

Omg I have a working cocker and you're so right about the shoe thing! He doesn't carry it around all the time though but he can't greet anyone coming into the house without something in his mouth and it is usually a shoe. It's s standing joke round here.