Oh Amy, you make me feel less worried about Knight's crazy habit! How funny that your furbaby has been doing pretty much the same thing! And, for 3-4 years, makes me think/hope that Knight will do the same and not start chewing them. I'll remember to keep our closet doors closed, as the shifting of shoes, I can see, could definitely become a problem. Thank you for sharing that!

Sounds like he may be a little stressed when your gone and it's his way of having your scent around him still. I suspect the way his owners left him at the vets has him a bit traumatized. I think spending a couple of days a week at doggie day care would work wonders for him. I know it sounds silly, but it really works and can help him in so many ways. It's a great way for him to get his energy used up and having other people in his circle may help him become less stressed when you both leave.

Maybe he would feel more comfortable crated? I leave one dog free when we leave but the other panics. I bought him an extremely nice crate and it is lined w/ blankets and he loves it. We say "Bailey, crate time!" and he jumps up, runs as fast as he can in there and gets cozy (the crate is always left open to him, he occasionally goes in there when we are home but he's a shadow dog who is always with a person so mostly not- but Molly who is never crated will climb in there all the time when we are home). Bailey clearly feels very safe in his crate (he barks and barks and barks and clearly panics when the crate has to leave the house for the trip to Florida), whereas when we left him alone in the house he felt horribly nervous and chewed things up.

Maybe your dog would also enjoy some brain teasers. I've bought my dogs the Nina Ottosson interactive puzzles and they absolutely love figuring out how to get the treats out (this is an activity for you to do with your dog, but it does give them a way to use brain energy and do "work" which some dogs need).

Does she need more exercise before she is left alone?

We rescued a Weimaraner that would clear every counter height surface if she was left alone. Every surface.

We would come home and find scissors, knives, books, clocks and the cookie jar in a nice heap behind the sofa. She never destroyed anything, just wanted everything together in one place.

The rescue organization took her back, and found her a home with someone who did not leave her alone often.

Our little rescue will go find her stuffed animals and bring them to sit with us. She will be cuddled up with us watching TV and she will get up and go find her favourite to bring to the sofa. She then holds them in her mouth and does a kneading motion with her paws. This kneading behavior supposedly can happen when dogs are weaned too early. I put her favourite animals in the crate at night and she will bring them all out at some point during the morning. She is too small to be able to reach most of our things and she is gated in the laundry room with an open crate, when I am out of the house.

Knight might benefit from some doggie playdates with dogs of his size to stimulate the mind and give him a good workout.

As far as playing fetch, have you tried finding the most aerodynamic stuffed animals and throwing those? Our rescue would not chase a ball at all and one day I just tried throwing one of her stuffed animals. She loves to chase it and will bring it back too.

I am not sure it's boredom-- i suspect it's a comfort thing. My Beau did the same thing for the first 2 years or so that I had him.. clothes I'd worn, books, hats, shoes, stuffed animals. I think perhaps it was a part of the process of accepting me and my home as part of his pack.. he eventually stopped though he did continue his love for stuffed animals as toys. He'd mouth them but never rip them apart (though he could have!).

Does he get to run everyday? Do you have dogparks where he could run?

Or, what about an electric fence so he could run outside your home?

Sounds like separation anxiety. He doesn't do it when you're home?

I'd wear a couple of t-shirts until they are really stinky with your and DH's scent, then teach I'm that those are his soft things. Leave them out for him in an open area, and close all other doors so that he has access only to the stinky t-shirts. if he gets something else, pick it up and tell him, "no!", then give him one of the t-shirts. I'd also try not leaving the TV on.

Lynn, what is your typical schedule? Does he do this when you're gone or anytime? When you take him for walks, how long are you out and is he just walking with you or does he get to run around (in a safe place, of course)? He may need longer and more vigorous exercise than he's getting now as he's a young dog of an active working breed. How much time would you like to spend interacting with him? If you are gone during the day, do you have time to do something with him in the morning before you leave? What type of dog training/activities have you done before?

My dogs sometimes bring me things like this, but it's usually because they are bored and want me to do something with them. We do a number of different activities, and I can usually find something to give them some physical and mental work. Things we do inside include "stupid pet tricks", which they love to do. They are always happy to play as they get special treats when working with me. Tricks include the standard sit, down, stay, and come, but are interspersed with other things. They don't all know all the things, but collectively they can sit-up, bow, shake hands, wave, spin right or left, back up, say prayers, speak, think (put head on paws while laying down), cross front paws while laying down, high-five, weave through my legs, pick up or take objects and hold them, put objects into a container (pick up and put away their toys), circle around to heel on both sides, watch me (regardless of what my hands are doing). They've learned these over time, a little bit a day, and I've used a clicker for most of it. It's good for when it's too hot, cold, or wet to do things outside. We also play "drug dog". I have an article that I use specially for this (an old leather wallet). I leave them in one room and hide the wallet, then release them to go find it. You do this in small stages, making it easy to find and helping him find it. If he finds it and picks it up, let him prance around with it and cheer for him.

If there are any training or dog sport clubs around, you may see if they have any activities you could do together. Rally obedience, dog agility, tracking or K9 nose work might be fun to do if you have the time and inclination. Canine freestyle and flyball are two other sports but don't appeal to as wide a group of people as the others. I just don't know if you have anything available near you.

The doggie daycare suggestion may have merit if you have a good one near you. I have friends whose dogs are much happier spending a couple of days a week wearing themselves out. Of course, you need to check anyplace out and make sure the staff are knowledgeable and keep the dogs' safety in mind.

The Dobies I've had were smart and goofy! I saw a documentary where a Dobe did something similar with toys as if it were trying to communicate. Actually laid out the toys in relation to each other (spacing, types, etc.)

If I were you, I'd take pictures and study to see if there is a pattern to how he is organizing his loot... and guarding it - actually doing his job!

At least you know he's keeping himself busy, and not just moping or being destructive.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Lukkiirish: a doggie day care would be perfect for him. I hadn't thought of that. Unfortunately, the closest one is 30 minutes away. Darn! I agree, I think the way he was left at the vet clinic by his previous owners traumatized him and he is still feeling the effects of it.

Beagles: We've had a large dog crate with comfy blankets set up in our MBR for him since we got him. We still close him in it at night, but we do leave it open for him to snooze in during the day when he feels the need. I hadn't heard of those dog "busy boxes" before. I'm impressed and am going to get a couple of them. It's frustrating, though, that they need human supervision so that they don't chew them up or eat the pieces. I wish there were busy toys that I could leave with him when I'm heading out to the gym or the store.

Maddielee: I try to take Knight for a walk before I leave. I've also been working on his commands before I go, too. Although he was 3 y/o when his previous owners gave him up, the only commands he knew when we got him was "Sit" and "Come". We've been practicing "Go to your place", "Heel" and "Stay" and he has the former two down pretty well. As for "stay", it's going to be a while. "Down" or "Lie Down" is not coming along well at all. How can you be intelligent dog owners (which I'm assuming they are) and never teach a big dog like this the basic commands?!? I told DH your rescue dog story and he just shook his head. That would be hard to live with.

Chispa: Great idea about doggie play dates. Thank you! I'm going to set some up this weekend. Great idea of how to get Knight to play fetch, too. That definitely might work for us. Your little rescue sounds adorable! How sweet!

Funkyart: That's sweet about your Beau and his stuffed animals. I think you may be right, and it's a comfort thing with Knight. Being left at the vet's like he was has probably added to this need for comfort. Poor boy! Well, he definitely knows that he's loved and wanted here . . . and spoiled. It may just take more time for him to settle his brain with it all.

Bumblebeez: Unfortunately, the only place he can run now is inside our home, up and down the hallway and through all the rooms. Although we have covenants that prohibit fencing in our property, a couple of our neighbors have had electronic fencing put in. Unfortunately, their dogs have run into cactus problems (we are high mountain desert here, but still have cacti) and rattlesnakes. Mice and rabbits infected with the plaque and Hanta Virus are also very real problems for roaming pets and their owners out here. Also bears, coyotes, wild dogs, and skunks can injure or kill our pets as they roam. What we really need is another larger courtyard with 5-6' high adobe walls. As for dog parks, the nearest one is 25-30 minutes drive from here. We have taken our past dogs there, but are still leery as to how Knight will react to other large dogs . . . and if he will heed us when we call him back to us. Hopefully, in another couple of weeks he will be better trained and we can try it. It's a great place to run and expend energy.

Tibbie: Hmmm, try not leaving the tv on? That's a thought. I do it as a comfort thing for them, but keep it on HGTV, which is usually more calm. Good idea about the tee shirts. I'll try that. The ones we wore last Saturday when we hauled a big load of brush to the landfill would have been perfect, but I've already washed them (LOL)!

Anna: Great suggestions! As I mentioned, I'm working daily with him on the basic commands, but per your suggestion, I'm going to try "drug dog" and teaching him some of the other commands you've mentioned. Agility training courses and the like are all a good 30 minutes drive from us, as is a great doggie daycare. I am going to pursue Chispa's suggestion of play dates with other nearby dogs. The only problem will be finding some places outside that are big enough to romp and enclosed.

Stratfordroad: OMG, how fascinating! I'm going to try that. Thanks!

Again, thank you all for taking the time to post these great ideas for me and my sweet furkid Knight.

I have been trying to remember when Beau stopped carrying my clothes and such around-- if there was something that marked the turning point. In my head, it just stopped with time-- but I am not convinced that it didnt stop with the introduction of a toy.

Our poor rescue dogs go through an adjustment period-- I am sure he knows he's loved but he still needs to accept himself as a part of your "pack". I think working through some of the commands and exercises is a great idea! You are such a good dog mom and I am sure your bond with him will just continue to grow. How blessed he is!

the only thing I would be a little concerned about is whether this cute 'collecting' behavior will eventually turn into 'guarding' behavior. sometime dogs can begin little collections of goodies on their beds, or wherever (sortof like burying bones in the backyard) and over time some dogs begin to believe the collections are theirs and only theirs! you definitely don't want him collecting and guarding anything, whether it's your family's items or little sasha's items... I would try to put a stop to the collecting...

Really? awe shucks. Before I posted, I checked to see if there was a Camp Bow Wow in New Mexico and they have one in Albuquerque. I was hoping it was close to you. There's one in St. Clair, Troy and Clarkston here. I use Clarkston, they offer half days which is perfect for us. Maybe a dog park would be a good alternative. Do you have dog park close by?

Poor guy, it may take him a while to get past that experience but with all the love you guys are giving him, I'm sure he will. Maybe you can put a bed out for him and cover it with an old T-Shirt of yours or something.

I echo anna's comments. Mental tasks/games can often tire out a dog more so than physical activities. There are really good YouTube videos for various thinking games for dogs.

He would love some obedience and agility training. The mental exercise usually helps immensely.

He is such a beautiful dog.

I hadn't thought of what busybee mentioned-- collecting behavior. I would think you'd see signs of it as you gather the items he amasses while you are out. I had some early challenges with establishing myself as the alpha after I adopted my rottweiler/mastiff-- along with some other challenges. It was a great experience for me as a dog owner-- and the exercises I used really helped increase our bond. I never implemented any one program fully, but I borrowed from NILIF (nothing in life is free) whereby she had to work for her food and walks with good socialized behaviors. I know this isn't your problem but I think ALL dogs/owners can leapfrog from the examples and benefit.

The key is to start small. Grace had been picked up off the streets and was very likely from a puppy mill farm. I had to socialize her to the house as well as to people and other pets. At walk time, things could get crazy-- two large dogs and two cats (who liked to walk along with us-- ala a parade). Leashes would NOT be attached and the door would NOT open until both dogs were sitting quietly. This was a huge step for Grace, especially-- but both dogs benefited from the lesson in self control.

Food time was another challenge-- Grace had a strong food drive. She was very underweight when I adopted her (and later I found out she had a productive adrenal tumor which very much increased her food drive) and while I wanted to get her back to health and feed her all she needed-- I insisted on sane meal times. I couldn't have a 115lb rottweiler/mastiff going berserk whenever food was prepared/laid out. This was where the lack of self control REALLY showed itself. Step by step I took her to a place where she would sit and wait for me to kiss her nose and say "Bon Appetit" before she'd eat. Obviously this took a lot of work over a period of time.. but it was something we continued until her last day. One day I was particularly annoyed with her and I skipped kissing her nose and saying, "bon appetit" and my sweet girl just sat there waiting for me-- with her food in front of her. Oh boy did that make me feel like a heel.. all annoyance dissipated and I got teary! She sure showed me! hahah.

Again, I know these aren't your problems -- but the point is that especially with the working dogs, setting up exercises and routines will help with the behaviors you don't want to continue and firmly establishes you as the alpha.I share all this because my first dogs were sooooooo easy.. Grace was my first experience with a working dog and a dog that presented such a challenge. I learned so much from her-- and with her.

All that said, I wouldn't be too concerned unless you are seeing collecting/guarding behaviors. I think the collecting of the things with your scent IS a natural behavior. I don't know that I'd jump to give her a stinky shirt but definitely identify the toys/articles that are "his" and when you collect what he's amassed-- replace with "his" toys/items. Do you keep his things in one place? I had a basket where I kept my dogs' toys and regularly referred them to it.. it was fun to watch them dig in the basket for their favorites. They never put things BACK in the basket LOL.. but they knew where to find them.

Again-- you are all so blessed. These are just little bumps in the road in your long lives together! <3

Thank you! I've just gotten home from a day running errands in town (and meeting my best friend for lunch). These ideas are so helpful for me. I've had dogs my entire life. Most were relatively easy. A few (Turk, the o/c chewer and eater who gave himself 32 partial intestinal obstructions and 3 totals, for instance) were major challenges. Knight, I see as just quirky. He's very smart and I can see that he needs more mental challenges than most.

Funkyart, thank you. I definitely see your points. Knight and I will both be happier once a pattern of acceptable behavior and a daily schedule that he can count on is established and learned. Both Sasha and Knight quickly learned to sit quietly and wait for us to say, "Release" before being allowed to go out any outside door or to the kennel. Likewise, they both learned sit quietly and stay until I put their food bowls down and tell them "release". Your other ideas are ones I will be adopting, too. Good ideas.

BTW, I was only gone for 90 minutes yesterday afternoon, but Knight managed to populate the front foyer with his 3 stuffed animals, Sasha's leash, DD's blanket, DH's book, 3 of his bones and the 3x5' Oriental rug that he dragged in from the adjacent hall. Today, I had to be gone for 5 hours, which is not the usual. We went for a good, brisk walk before I left and I also moved his second bed (the first is his crate in our MBR) from the family room into the foyer. When I returned, I was surprised and relieved that he'd only brought his 3 bones and his 3 stuffed animals into the foyer. Last night after hearing the day's latest Knight's tale, DH laughingly suggested that Knight probably considers the foyer as his new "man cave". Hmmm, perhaps he does and having me put his bed in there let him know I do, too.

You are pretty brave to let him have the run of the house! I know my little rescue wouldn't hurt anything, but I want to be able to set the alarm with motion sensors when we are gone, so she is gated in the laundry room. If we ever had a fire there would be a chance of finding her or even having firemen get acces to her from the large window in there. When she got scared wth some construction being done up the street, she hid under the kids' beds and in a fire/earthquake emergency we won't have time to search the house for a scared dog.

I'm starting to see a pattern though ... I think Night is trying to tell you something about your decorating!! Obviously the 3x5 rug must look better in the foyer! Did he arrange things in 3's or 5's? ;-)

An oriental rug, huh? Well, at least he has good taste. could it be a breed thing, that he has been trying to make the foyer his place when you're away as his way of protecting the house while you're gone?

Lynn.. so sorry to come across as "teaching" or lecturing. I know you have lots of your own experience.. and I really don't see Knight's behavior as an issue (truth is, I think it's adorable ha). I was on hold for over an hour with an unending supply of coffee-- and just got "chatty". ;)

did u see the video of the sorting doberman ?

4boys2, good find. I think that might be Knight's long lost brother! Did you notice that the dog arranged the stuffed animals in 3's and 5's ?

That is the documentary I was thinking of! I think the dog even put frogs together, monkeys together etc.. Beautiful Doberman!

A tired dog is a happy dog. Long walks at a good clip and playing fetch in your yard.

I would find a good dog behaviorist. Dobermans are one of the aggressive breeds, sweet as he seems to be, you just don't know what Knight has experienced before he came to you. This behavior could be nothing, or as others have mentioned it could turn into a worse behavior.

I would get an expert opinion.