How to stop toy-stealing behavior? - Page 1

Wondering if anyone here has any ideas...

I have two dogs, who both LOOOOOVE the Kong tennis ball squeakers.  My lab will only play with the standard size, but I use the larger for the GSD as she likes to stuff as many balls in her mouth as she can (she's had 4 at one time - before I realized I had to hide the balls at the end of the play session).

So, I have one of each for the dogs.  The lab will only go for hers and if she picks up the other, she spits it out.  The GSD will go for either and tries to get both - putting the small one in her mouth first so it's further back and then the larger.  I believe her ultimate goal is to get the lab to chase her.  She'll even go so far as to try to take the lab's ball directly from her mouth, but most often will stalk and (try to) snatch it up as soon as the lab drops it.  To her credit, the lab is pretty easy going and doesn't display any aggression, just tries to change direction or whatever to keep the GSD from getting her ball....likewise, the GSD hasn't growled or anything, but she's always there just waiting to get ahold of it.  When she does, she either prances around the lab or takes them and lays down somewhere and just looks at them lovingly :).  Occasionally, the lab will chase her and it's a game for them to run back and forth - again, nothing has ever escalated, which is why I think it's the GSDs way of getting the lab's attention.  If it makes a difference, the balls stay outside and we haven't had any issues with other 'toys' in the house.

I've had no problem taking the ball(s) back from the GSD.  If she doesn't drop them, she 'gives' them to me and we resume fetch - I use lots of praise when she *does* leave the other ball alone or gives it back.  There is no growling or possessive behavior over the ball (other than the initial taking it).  I've been working with her on "leave it", but it's slow going.  I'm wondering if there are any other suggestions or if I should be handling this in a different manner.  I've tried playing with them separately, but they seem to enjoy being out together - and the one left inside puts up a stinkin' fuss as she can see the other one frolicking without her....then the one frolicking outside will stop and go sit by the door, lol.

Thanks for any feedback.

My dogs constantly take toys/balls from each other.  My dad's two males make a big game out of it, they'll bite each other's tails to make the other dog drop a ball or try to lean into and shove the other dog over while running.  For some reason they adore this kind of roughhousing with each other. 

Teach your dogs to sit/stay while throwing the ball alternately for the dogs.  When you throw the lab's ball say her name and tell her to fetch it while the GSD stays, then switch dogs. 

My dad's two males and my male do this well with each other, if told, two will stay while the 3rd whose name was called will fetch the ball. 

Thanks for the response.  I do that and it works some of the time.  I think the GSD just desperately wants the lab to chase her and will do anything to make it happen.  Really, the only problem with it is that the lab doesn't want to.  She's pretty focused when it comes to fetch and there's just no room for such silliness, LOL.  The GSD, on the other hand, has more fun interacting.

I'll keep working with them on the alternating turns, and the GSD with "leave it".  Thanks again!

ETA:   "try to lean into and shove the other dog over while running"  The GSD does this to the lab - we say it's like body-checking in hockey ;)

Assign a toy for each dog. If the other dog tries to steal it, block that behavior. Period. If you won't step up to the plate and be the master, obviously the GSD will. Simple problem. Simple answer. Calm, assertive, clear message. Then set it up so that he will go after the wrong toy. proof. then secure behavior. Get happy dog that will not touch other's toy.

I have two working males that I currently train in IPO.  They do not play with eachother, which is what I imprinted from puppy.  However, they will kill eachother if I am not present.  They each have a kong.  No conflict.  No escalation.  good luck.

buy another toy, heck buy 2 more...that way your GSD is happy and you can continue playing with your lab....I have 4 dogs and i need 6 tennis balls in order to be able to play with 1 dog (she is the youngest and working line, she will fetch the ball and drop it in front of me or in my hand if its open, she will do that for hours), others don't care for the fetching game they just want someone to chase them, they will give me the ball if asked but than the cycle of "you want this ball - come and get it"  starts all over and i spend more time waiting for my youngest getting her ball back than actually playing fetch....the older dogs do nothing but steel it and hold it and like you said adoringly watch over it w/o letting young one get it, they do enjoy watching my yougest one run after balls and sometimes they run along with their ball in their mouth....so...just buy another kong and continue doing what you and they love the most....issue solved.