Carrying rubbish home- why?

[JaniceH]

On a lighter side of rottie behaviour, why does Teazle pick up rubbish from hedges, the side of the road etc. and just carry it home.

This morning during our usual 40 minute walk she picked up an old middle section of a cabbage (yuch), a small black plastic bag and then she found a children's pair of socks in a hedge. She diligently ensured each was squashed into her mouth (which isn't that large) and carried on home.

She does this sometimes...anyone have any ideas why?

[Troodie's Mom]

Maybe she thinks that is her job? When we took her to the beach, and walked in the water at low tide, my Gretchen used to scoop up all the seaweed she could fit in her mouth, and deposit it on the beach.
They like to look busy, I think.

[trish603a]

is she coming into heat? zoey did this same behavior right before her first heat. she "mothered" everything that she could find.

[JaniceH]

I have never encouraged her to pick things up Troodie's Mom, apart from telling her to fetch her toys, so I can't think she thinks it her job.

Trish, she has been spayed so the heat suggestion doesn't apply, but I understand why you mentioned it.

She looked so funny with her mouth crammed full and bits of black stuff hanging out of it.

[2rotties2luv]

When my male rottie, Jazz, felt the need to have this sort of "job", I got a small duffel bag, just big enough to hold 2 tennis balls, and let him carry this on his walk. He felt very important having this important job to do and it kept his mouth busy. If you decide to try this, don't put any treats in the bag, as it may prove too much of a temptation .

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by JaniceH

Teazle picks up rubbish from hedges, the side of the road etc. and just carry it home.

...anyone have any ideas why?

Uh.....maybe 'cause she's a dog, I think? You know like why do they roll in stinky stuff. Or bury stuff to marinate it? You can always make "Blech!" noises and have her put it down. Aside from that? She does it because she can.

[JaniceH]

Hi Lucy,

I guess she just likes carrying things then and is greedy about it !!!

She did bring me home a chocolate bar once ! It was completely in tact too.

[DaveS]

Our 7 month old has picked up treasures on our walks and brought them home since he was 8 weeks old. If it is just a stick or something harmless I let him keep it in the back yard to play with when he is outside. He looks proud when he carries his findings home, head up, and prancing. Some items have been carried a mile or more!

[JaniceH]

Yep, Teazle is as proud as punch..her nub is up and she appears to strut sometimes.

[Ayoka]

I think that she does it because you allow her to...this could be problematic if she were to pick something up that had something on it/in it that was poisonous.

I think the idea of giving her soemthing to carry that you approve of is a great way to keep her mouth occupied, otherwise you're going to have to try and resolve it through training.

[JaniceH]

Hi Ayoka,

I do keep an eye on what she picks up and she is actually very good at dropping something or leaving it if I tell her to. I am quite vigilant.

I have found that if I give her something to carry that she is used to at home, then she loses interest in it after a while and I end up carrying it.

During her three years she has found two wallets, one of which was in long grass by a hedge. I don't know what attracted her to it but the owner was very impressed when I returned it to him. There was quite a bit of money in too.

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by JaniceH

I have found that if I give her something to carry that she is used to at home, then she loses interest in it after a while and I end up carrying it.

What about having a toy that is "just for walks" if she only gets it on walks she may not tire of it quickly. I find this with Bear's Training "toy" he only gets it for short periods so he has yet to tire of it.

Sometimes I find that Bear can pick something up before I have even had a chance to see what it is...which Is why I was concerned she could get something that might be bad for her.

It is nice that you have found wallets and returned them but I'm one of those people who would rather err on the side of caution than take risks.

[Chicky Abby]

Sebastian always picks things up on our walks- usually one of two items- plastic bottles or sticks from a tree. Everything else he attempts to pick up results in a sharp 'leave it' from me- but these items are ok because once he has them he carries all the way home. I agree with the other posters; to them it's like a job and keeps them focused. If the types of items your rottie is picking up is concerning then try to train to pick up only safe items and not everything in sight.

[lovemypuppies]

Ali LIVES to hunt. Of course the famous gloves of which we have at least a hundred. Then: hats (one of which was real fur!), scarves, balls of every size, big sticks and stones, baby shoes, small toys, doorstops and one time she came up with a package of rolling papers! Ali has never been one to swallow or even chew any of her treasures. She prances straight home very proudly and gives it up. I have been telling her to "Bring it home to Daddy" for years. Cooper is the guy who confiscates the (safe) goodies in the end. It's good to be the King. Seriously though, my neighborhood is safe, clean and "patrolled" by MANY dogs (who grab all the stray bits of pizza crust ) so I have allowed and enjoyed this "bad" behavior. Ali has been known remove a light bulb from the blister pack with out breaking the bulb. Can you? She has a very delicate way of mouthing things and absolutely never swallows anything but food.

[JaniceH]

I will try that Ayoka, thanks.