carrying things in mouth

Question
Hello- My wonderful 6 year old golden loves to have something in his mouth (expected for the breed I know)especially when we or anyone arrives home. It is cute but creates several issues. The main problem is he loves socks. If some are not available he will scoop up what ever is near, (shoes are next in his menue of favorites).  He does not tare them up, he just carries them around and "misplaces" them.  If he thinks it's really some thing special, like my niece's pink blanket, he will burry it.  I believe he really gets satisfaction from the texture of cloth, he will cram so many socks in his mouth occasionally he will make himself gag and then you know what happens next. I've tried to give him his own stuffed animals but he does shred those.  Out side of keeping those items out of his reach, how can we train him to carry his toys and not make such a mess with them, and get him to leave our things alone?  Thanks so much!

Angel

Answer
If he is doing it when your aren't around, crate him.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

Lost possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the dog.  When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys.  In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''.  Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of his toys, or hold eye contact until the dog drops it.


A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.

Use the crate only when you must  I have a short length of chain fastened to
my computer desk.  With more mats around the chair mat, this gives a place
where the puppy is with me, but about as controlled as in the crate, while
still allowing me to get some work done, or at least answer All expert questions.