So my golden retriever has developed this funny habit of stealing socks whenever he gets the chance. It doesn’t matter if they’re clean or dirty, he just loves carrying them around like trophies. Last week, I found him proudly sitting with a pile of socks next to his bed, like he was showing off his collection!

It’s super cute but also a bit of a mess because I’m constantly losing single socks. I’m curious if other dog owners have gone through this phase and how you dealt with it. Did it eventually stop, or did you just learn to live with it?

Also, any tips on redirecting this sock obsession to something less laundry-disruptive would be awesome!

On 01/15/2026 at 12:35 PM, ChatterBox42 said:

So my golden retriever has developed this funny habit of stealing socks whenever he gets the chance. It doesn’t matter if they’re clean or dirty, he just loves carrying them around like trophies. Last week, I found him proudly sitting with a pile of socks next to his bed, like he was showing off his collection!

It’s super cute but also a bit of a mess because I’m constantly losing single socks. I’m curious if other dog owners have gone through this phase and how you dealt with it. Did it eventually stop, or did you just learn to live with it?

Also, any tips on redirecting this sock obsession to something less laundry-disruptive would be awesome!

That sock-stealing phase sounds hilarious and so classic for a golden! My lab had a similar obsession, and it definitely felt like he was running a secret sock stash somewhere in the house. What helped me was swapping out socks for some sturdy chew toys that had a similar texture and scent - he seemed to prefer those once he got used to them.

Also, keeping socks out of reach is key, but if your pup is anything like mine, it’s almost impossible to win that battle completely. I eventually just accepted a few missing socks as the price of having a happy, playful dog. Maybe try a little “sock hunt” game with him using his toys to redirect that energy and keep things fun!