stealing!!

trying to add a pic

You are allowing this to become a fun game...he snatches and runs, you chase.  Gosh, now anytime I want mom to play, all I have to do is STEAL something and run and she'll "play".  Dont' chase, don't corner.  Install a good LEAVE IT command, along with a DROP IT command for those times that you didn't notice in time to say "leave it".  If you do a search of the forum you'll find multiple threads on how to teach both.

he knows leave it and drop but won't follow those commands in this situation - unless he realizes that he can't escape, then he demurely drops it .  We don't run around the house after him but if you don't get the item off him he will destroy it VERY quickly.
He gets tons of exercise, structured and less structured, & knows his commands.  I feel that this may be an adolescent behavior but I sure would like to stop it.  I will look at the training threads but his disobedience is specific to this behavior only.
thanks for your reply

Just my opinion but how about instilling a "Trade" command.  He gives you the item and gets a higher value item in return.

The terrible teens are not much fun, and if that is in fact whats going on, then you're going to just have to find places to put things up. Yes, I know it's tough, I have german shepherds so I know all about having to put stuff IN the oven or on top of the fridge at that age, and yes, it's a pain, but you have to do what you have to do.
 
If he won't leave it or drop it for a "high value" treat like a dishtowel, he's not likely to do either for a really high value treat like a dead bird he finds on a walk.  You really need to work on a RELIABLE leave it and drop it with him.  My crew will leave raw meat on the counter...and I have six of them so not as easy to keep an eye on.

Just my opinion but how about instilling a "Trade" command. He gives you the item and gets a higher value item in return.

Thanks for posting for me, Xerxes! []

Max has come to really love "trade".  He's gotten very good about leaving most everything he knows he shouldn't have alone ... except my erasable pens. He picks up the pen from wherever I've left it, then comes and stands in front of me with it.  He just stands there looking at me until I notice he has it and tell him he shouldn't have it, and as soon as he hears "trade" he drops it. [] Sometimes I wonder who has who trained.

Joyce

He's right in the thick of adolescense and what you've described is EXTREMELY typical, normal teenage behaviour!    Unfortunately, it is an unavoidable part of doggie development, just like humans!  You can't really skip it just cause your husband doesn't like it, ya know?   What you can do is try to understand what's going on a bit better and adjust your behaviour accordingly.  Buy Carol Lea Benjamin's book - "Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence"  it will seriously help.   Make your husband read it!!!!!    There is seriously no "quick fix" for adolescence, so you'll need to work on managing your husbands expectations as well...  For the specific issue of stealing... Many say to pick your battles.  Unless he's stolen something extremely valuable or dangerous, let it go.  Ignore him completely - do NOT engage, even with eye contact.  Let him have it.  The thrill of stealing is mostly about YOUR reaction (occassionally the score itself).  So DO NOT react.   That's one approach.   Bottom line is every time you chase him (even if you're screaming at him while you do) he is thrilled and successful!  It's a really difficult time!!  They become complete brats..  (I have one myself, 11 months old)
 
 

He's gorgeous!

I have one answer - mousetraps.  Don't flame me!  They never actually get pinched, especially a dog this size, but the snap and make a ruckuss!  They work.

thanks for your reply!  I've spoke to hubby and he is better about it.  I will certainly check out the book you posted too.  He hasn't taken anything valuable and I don't think we'd be so silly as to leave anything valuable out so no worries there!  We are now puttiong the kitchen towels on top of the fridge but when he saw me do it I could see his wheels spinning.  All part of the fun of puppies/dogs to me!  Enjoy (BTW are you from the UK (behaviour??)

My Father was English and I did live in London for a bit so I guess some things have "stuck"   
 
Valuables, yeah..   Slick found DH's v. expensive watch in the shower on the shelf, behind/between shampoo bottles (i.e. NOT visible).  We did "Trade" for that one!!  I can't do "Trade" for everything because my boy is just too much of a piggie.  When he first caught on to how it works, he started "hunting" for random things to "Trade-In". hahaha..   I am meticulous about keeping things out of reach though and keeping all closet doors shut, etc.  It'll get better. 
 
OH!!  We actually made some pretty exciting progress on this front.  We had guests stay overnight 2 weeks ago and in preparation for them, we put the toilet roll back ON the spool!!!  (as opposed to over head which has been it's home for 9 months).  Anyway, after the guests had gone, I forgot to put the TP back up.  It's still on the spool!!!  For 2 weeks with NO shredding of toilet tissue!!!!  Yeah!  This is seriously HUGE in our house.  It's these tiny triumphs that give us hope!

Thanks for your reply - my husband is english & I lived there for 7 yrs so that's why I picked up the spelling
Yes my buddy is a pig as well and would eat non-stop.  If we 'traded' food for the stolen goods that would train him that he'll get a treat and we'd never stop it.
You gave me a laugh with the TP, he hasn't tried that one, his favorite is tissues.  We have to keep all small waste bins up or he's in.  If you leave a tissue somewhere he'll find it and eat it.
They're lots of fun if nuts