Why do DOGS STEAL SOCKS?

[AviatorTom]

Our dog loves to steal our socks. Sometimes she plays with them, sometimes she just guards them, and sometimes she pretends to bury them in her bed.

I've had both male and female dogs in the past, different breeds, and they all like to steal socks.

Dog owners... Does your dog steal your socks?

Why do you think dogs steal socks?

[AmandaYVR]

I've never had a dog do this. I would imagine that's because of breed, and opportunity.

Some dogs have been bred for retrieving and that stays in their genes. I've had Chow Chows, and they are guarding.

Opportunity, meaning, they just didn't have access to them because I never leave stuff lying around, and I guess the laundry room was not accessible.

Growing up, we had Siberian Huskies and a Malamute. We had a something like 7' tall fence built around our backyard, which, immediately upon being finished, they jumped right over, no problem at all. And went into the next door neighbour's yard, and killed their chickens, and brought home unbroken eggs. (Notice the fierceness and gentleness, both.) They also killed my rabbits when that worker who built the fence left the door open to that greenhouse they lived in. And they killed kittens, come to think of it. It was a bloody massacre, all that red blood on black fur... I will unfortunately never forget.

I never had any trouble with my Chows.

What breeds were yours? That one in the photo was bred to retrieve water fowl, I believe.

[AviatorTom]

@AmandaYVR The dog in the photo is not mine, just a stock photo. My dogs have been Bijon-Maltese, German Shepherd and Pomeranian. They all liked to steal socks.

[exitseven]

@AmandaYVR. Damn, that sounds horrible.

[AmandaYVR]

@exitseven Yeah both were really traumatic, honestly.
I love animals, but they are semi-wild creatures. People act like they're harmless little lap toys, and "mine would never do that..." There were injuries being around horses, too.
Anyway, it's not Tom's topic. I just wanted to differentiate that maybe taking socks could be a retrieving trait. But now that he's listed his breeds, I think it doesn't apply.
My stepfather believed animals were sentient beings who were not beneath him or us. Pretty sure that contributed to their running amok. But also, the two breeds I mentioned are very close to wolves. You don't just tame that out of them. They hunted for the sport of it, not because they were starved or anything.

[exitseven]

Yes, I had 2 cats and some of the stuff they did with mice And chipmunks was a little brutal but now that they are gone we are overrun with chipmunks.

[jennifer_bloom]

I think the sock has your foot odour on it and since you are the master of the dog, they fetishizes your sock as a way of expressing their appreciation for you.

[ChadHelpsBros]

It's hard to say EXACTLY why dogs steal socks, bro. But probably the main reason is that socks have your scent on them. The scent of their owner is a major part of a dog's sense of world. They have very powerful noses and associate the smell of their owner with good times. So when they find something with your scent on it, like a sock, they want to claim it as their own. Other reasons your dog is stealing your socks could be because they like the texture or because they associate socks with playtime and fun.

[Leapfrog00]

My Yorkie used to grab my socks out of the laundry basket, and sometimes he would jump in and roll around. I think he had a foot fetish, lol. He liked the dirty, stinky socks better than clean ones!

Sometimes if I had a pair on my feet, he would try to tug them off. Dogs have a really good sense of smell, and I think they get attracted to people's scents. When I used to go to work, he would lay on my shirts, underwear, and socks until I got back because he missed me. I miss that dog!

[BoopBoopBeep]

I can't let this go on. It's not the dog. It's me. I'm sorry. I don't know why I do it. I don't even like feet. Actually I do know. I'm always jealous when people have nicer socks. One day I'll bring them all back. I just need to compare. Thoroughly.

Also I'm sorry for training all the dogs to secretly bring me socks, but come on... I can't be everywhere...

[purplepoppy]

Initially they're attracted to the smell, dogs like pongy things. It's also a similar mouthfeel to a rodent. But they soon learn it results in the "chase and tug" game. Once they learn that then all socks clean or dirty are up for grabs.

It's when they roll on your underpants you start to worry.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

There are some dogs just do that, my cousin and I got a Maltese, and she will snap and growl also she barks if we go near her dog food, my parents many years ago had a poodle who would get loose, and he would bring home all kinds of things, I once had a cocker spaniel she would get loose and steal the neighbor guys bedroom slippers dogs do all kinds of things.

[SaoirseS]

This makes sense but I think it’s mostly out of boredom lol


https://tractive.com/blog/en/good-to-know/why-do-dogs-steal-socks/amp

[chrissykerdock]

my dog used to take my panties and lick the crotch under the bed all the time... i don't wear socks often i wear the ankle socks... she didn't really take those often if at all.

[ArrowheadSW]

Because they are on a power trip. Kidding. I don't know why they do it... LOL

[AmandaYVR]

hahaha

[Sparkie460]

None of my dogs have ever taken our socks. My shepherd used to take my slippers and just cuddle with them but she never took socks

[Catguy92]

They do it as a sort of hostage negotiation tactic. They steal your stuff if you dont give them enough treats. Lol.

[msc545]

Cats will steal your car and joyride if you leave the keys laying around...

[dolemite58]

my brothers dog was relentless about doing it, we used to find random socks hidden all over the house

[justabuddy]

Certain breeds have an instinct to chase or carry things (retrievers come to mind). Socks are perfectly designed to fit in their mouth.

[Nikki1989]

It is shoes with our dog.

[OlderAndWiser]

Probably related to hunting instincts.

[exitseven]

THey smell their owner's feet. b

[AmandaYVR]

Yeah, I was wondering this, too. I know dogs like to put their snouts in their owner's slippers, sometimes.

[gothbxtch]

my cat frankie does that too!

[Meropatrick]

Not only dogs ehm i do it too

[Christoff92]

Go in a open drawer 😅🤣

[Anonymous]

It’s a part of their work outfit