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Entry 226Filed under Breeding

How to Redirect a Dog That Steals Towels to Safe Toys

Prevent towel grabs, teach a calm release, and reward your dog for choosing an appropriate toy. Learn what to do if your dog guards an item or swallows fabric.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
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If your dog grabs a towel, stay calm, avoid chasing or prying it away, and ask for a practiced “drop it” or offer a better reward. Then guide your dog to an appropriate toy and reward choosing it. Preventing access to laundry while you teach these skills makes another towel grab less likely.

Why dogs steal towels

Towels and laundry may attract dogs because they carry familiar human scents. A dog may also learn that taking an item starts a chase or keep-away game. Those are possible explanations, not a diagnosis of why any particular dog does it. The useful response is to make towels harder to reach and teach a more rewarding alternative.

Prevent towel grabs while you train

  • Put clean and used towels out of reach, and use a hamper with a lid.
  • Supervise your dog around laundry and limit access to rooms where towels are left unattended.
  • If your dog must be alone, use an appropriate dog-safe area and leave a suitable activity.

Preventing access reduces opportunities to repeat the behavior while your dog learns what to do instead.

Teach “drop it” and trading before you need them

Practice in a calm moment with a low-stakes toy, not a stolen towel. Have a reward your dog values ready. Say “drop it” once, then reward the release. You can also offer a better item in exchange. In practice, returning a safe toy after the trade can help make giving things up predictable rather than a signal that every item will disappear.

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Keep the exercise relaxed; do not turn it into a contest. The American Kennel Club advises against practicing trades when a dog shows guarding or stress signs. If your dog stiffens, growls, snaps, or appears distressed when approached, stop routine trading exercises and get help from a qualified trainer or behavior consultant.

What to do when your dog already has a towel

  1. Stay calm. Keep your voice and movements measured. Chasing can make the towel more exciting and may create a safety risk.
  2. Do not forcibly pull the towel away. Instead, use a practiced “drop it” cue or offer a higher-value reward at a comfortable distance.
  3. Reward the release. Once the dog lets go, praise and give the reward; then put the towel out of reach.
  4. Offer an allowed toy. Praise or reward your dog for engaging with it so the alternative has a clear payoff.

If your dog has swallowed towel fabric, or you suspect it has, contact a veterinarian promptly. Swallowed material can cause choking or an intestinal blockage; a veterinarian can advise you based on the situation.

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Choose a safe toy or chew

Choose an item designed for your dog’s size and chewing habits, and supervise especially when introducing something new. Useful categories include food-stuffable rubber toys, foraging or puzzle toys, and appropriately sized chew toys. A food-stuffable toy can give a dog that enjoys licking, chewing, or working for food an appropriate activity, but it is not a guaranteed fix for towel stealing.

  • Follow the product’s instructions and consider your dog’s individual history and chewing style.
  • Inspect toys and chews. Remove any item your dog is breaking into pieces that could be swallowed.
  • Do not leave a puzzle toy unsupervised if your dog may chew it apart.
  • If your dog consumes a chunk of chew material or toy, consult a veterinarian immediately; swallowed pieces can cause choking or intestinal obstruction.

Rotate a small selection of suitable toys if your dog loses interest, and provide appropriate physical activity and mental enrichment. These can help occupy a dog, but they should complement—not replace—preventing access to towels and reinforcing the behavior you want.

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When to consult a professional or veterinarian

Get guidance from a qualified dog trainer or behavior consultant if your dog guards stolen objects, particularly if you see stiff posture, growling, snapping, or clear distress. Avoid repeatedly taking items or attempting trades without professional help in that situation.

Contact a veterinarian if your dog may have swallowed towel material or toy fragments. Also consider veterinary advice if chewing becomes excessive or increases suddenly: the American Kennel Club notes that excessive chewing can sometimes be associated with pain in the mouth, teeth, or gums. Do not assume boredom or misbehavior is the cause.

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