Owning a dog who steals socks or runs off with the remote is a headache, and chasing after them almost always makes it worse. In my experience, stealing is very often a cry for attention as much as anything else, boredom drives a lot of unwanted behaviour, and this is a classic example. Every time you chase your dog for a stolen item, you're accidentally reinforcing exactly the behaviour you don't want. Your dog learns that stealing your sock reliably gets your full attention, turning it into a genuinely fun game from their side. The solution is to work on recall and teach a solid "leave it" command, rewarded generously when your dog disengages from an item. Acting as though you're holding something precious and cradling it like you're protecting something delicate can reverse the chase. Once you've retrieved the item safely, don't end the game abruptly—carry on playing a little longer to meet your dog's underlying need for attention and stimulation. Simple management like storing shoes and remotes out of reach, combined with regular exercise and mental games, helps prevent stealing long term.