Why Does My Dog Steal My Blanket 5 Possible Reasons

Dogs tend to have a mind of their own, yet they are extremely impressionable. They are great at listening to directions when trained, though they will try to get away with things that they know that they shouldn’t. For example, you may notice that your pooch occasionally steals your blanket. So, why do they do it? Let’s explore five possible reasons here.

Why Does My Dog Steal My Blanket? (5 Reasons)

They Think That It’s a Toy

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Sometimes, dogs want something soft to chew on. What is softer and more enticing than a familiar blanket? It doesn’t matter if your dog is a puppy or a fully grown adult. Many dogs want to dig into a favorite blanket or chew it to relieve their chewing and playing needs. If you notice that your blanket is starting to get small holes in it, chances are that your dog is stealing the blanket to treat it as a toy. The solution is to buy your pooch new toys that are soft and pliable like your blanket is. Make the toys available in every room where your dog hangs out to minimize the chance that they will steal your blanket again.

They Think That It’s a Game Image Credit: Aleksey Boyko, Shutterstock Stealing the throw blanket from the couch or off the bed could be seen as a game by your dog. This is especially true if you tend to chase after your dog to retrieve the blanket once they make off with it. Knowing that you will just retrieve the blanket and put it back where they can steal it again can be a fun way for your pooch to pass the time. You can stop your dog from turning blanket stealing into a game by simply refraining from chasing after the blanket when it gets taken. Let them take the blanket, then redirect their attention with a new toy, a treat, or an interactive activity. Once your dog forgets about the blanket, you can retrieve it. After a while, it should get too boring for them to keep stealing your blanket.
They Want Attention

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Another reason that your dog might be stealing your blanket is to get attention. If you react to your dog stealing your blanket in any way, they will respond to the attention, good or bad. Even scolding your dog or banishing them to the yard are forms of attention for them, especially if you’ve been too busy to play their favorite interactive games. To stop this behavior, spend more time tending to your dog and their needs. Take an extra 15 minutes a day to play or go on a walk together. Invite them to the couch to cuddle when you sit down to watch a movie.

They Want to Be Reminded of You Image Credit: Amy Humphries, Unsplash If you frequently spend time outside the home, chances are that your dog misses you during your absence. They might grab one of your blankets to cuddle up with while on their bed because the blanket smells like you and reminds them of you. Curling up with one of your blankets can help make your pooch feel like you are there with them while they’re snoozing. The only thing that you can do about this problem is to make it a point to spend more time at home with your furry family member. Spending even 15 extra minutes a day at home with your dog can help keep them from stealing your blanket to gain comfort while you are away.
They Are Bored

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Finally, your dog might be stealing your blanket for no other reason than boredom. Bored dogs will steal just about anything from their owners to get attention or to use as toys. If there is nothing else to do around the house, your dog might think that stealing a blanket and getting in trouble for it is an exciting way to end the day. Making sure your dog has access to multiple toys throughout the house and engaging in activities like fetch and hide-and-seek with them regularly are great ways to keep them from getting bored and deciding to steal one of your blankets.

Ways to Keep Your Dog From Stealing Your Blanket Even if you cannot figure out why your pooch is stealing your blanket, there are still a few things that you can do to try to curb the behavior. First, try getting your dog a blanket of its own. Maybe they get chilly at night and just need extra comfort. If that doesn’t work, spend more time exercising and playing with your dog each day. The extra attention and activity might make them forget all about stealing your favorite blanket. If all else fails, consider scheduling a consultation appointment with your veterinarian. They may be able to identify a health reason for your dog’s blanket-stealing behavior and help you correct the problem.

Conclusion There are several different reasons that your dog might be stealing your blanket. Paying attention to their actions after stealing the blanket and how they react when you address the situation should give you a few clues as to the exact reasons that they are displaying such behavior.

Featured Image Credit: Akintevs, Shutterstock

Why Does My Dog Steal My Blanket? (5 Reasons)

1. They Think That It’s a Toy

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Trixie and Millie (@trixie.and.millie.chi_mixes)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Trixie and Millie (@trixie.and.millie.chi_mixes)

View this post on Instagram

If you notice that your blanket is starting to get small holes in it, chances are that your dog is stealing the blanket to treat it as a toy. The solution is to buy your pooch new toys that are soft and pliable like your blanket is. Make the toys available in every room where your dog hangs out to minimize the chance that they will steal your blanket again.

2. They Think That It’s a Game

Stealing the throw blanket from the couch or off the bed could be seen as a game by your dog. This is especially true if you tend to chase after your dog to retrieve the blanket once they make off with it. Knowing that you will just retrieve the blanket and put it back where they can steal it again can be a fun way for your pooch to pass the time.

You can stop your dog from turning blanket stealing into a game by simply refraining from chasing after the blanket when it gets taken. Let them take the blanket, then redirect their attention with a new toy, a treat, or an interactive activity. Once your dog forgets about the blanket, you can retrieve it. After a while, it should get too boring for them to keep stealing your blanket.

3. They Want Attention

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Life Of Charlie (@lifeofcharlieboy1)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Life Of Charlie (@lifeofcharlieboy1)

To stop this behavior, spend more time tending to your dog and their needs. Take an extra 15 minutes a day to play or go on a walk together. Invite them to the couch to cuddle when you sit down to watch a movie.

4. They Want to Be Reminded of You

If you frequently spend time outside the home, chances are that your dog misses you during your absence. They might grab one of your blankets to cuddle up with while on their bed because the blanket smells like you and reminds them of you. Curling up with one of your blankets can help make your pooch feel like you are there with them while they’re snoozing.

The only thing that you can do about this problem is to make it a point to spend more time at home with your furry family member. Spending even 15 extra minutes a day at home with your dog can help keep them from stealing your blanket to gain comfort while you are away.

5. They Are Bored

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IVY ROSE (@ivyrose_sheltie)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IVY ROSE (@ivyrose_sheltie)

Making sure your dog has access to multiple toys throughout the house and engaging in activities like fetch and hide-and-seek with them regularly are great ways to keep them from getting bored and deciding to steal one of your blankets.

Ways to Keep Your Dog From Stealing Your Blanket

Even if you cannot figure out why your pooch is stealing your blanket, there are still a few things that you can do to try to curb the behavior. First, try getting your dog a blanket of its own. Maybe they get chilly at night and just need extra comfort. If that doesn’t work, spend more time exercising and playing with your dog each day.

The extra attention and activity might make them forget all about stealing your favorite blanket. If all else fails, consider scheduling a consultation appointment with your veterinarian. They may be able to identify a health reason for your dog’s blanket-stealing behavior and help you correct the problem.

Conclusion

There are several different reasons that your dog might be stealing your blanket. Paying attention to their actions after stealing the blanket and how they react when you address the situation should give you a few clues as to the exact reasons that they are displaying such behavior.

Featured Image Credit: Akintevs, Shutterstock

Why Does My Dog Steal My Blanket? (5 Reasons)#

1. They Think That It’s a Toy#

2. They Think That It’s a Game#

3. They Want Attention#

4. They Want to Be Reminded of You#

5. They Are Bored#

Ways to Keep Your Dog From Stealing Your Blanket#

Conclusion#

Why Does My Dog Steal My Blanket? (5 Reasons)

1. They Think That It’s a Toy

2. They Think That It’s a Game

3. They Want Attention

4. They Want to Be Reminded of You

5. They Are Bored

Ways to Keep Your Dog From Stealing Your Blanket

Conclusion