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A few days ago, I woke up and went downstairs. It was early in the morning so I wasn’t sure if my dog had already eaten breakfast or gone outside.
But when I got downstairs, there he was sitting on the kitchen floor with his favorite toy next to him! When he saw me, he quickly grabbed the toy and dropped it at my feet.
It made me think…Why does my dog bring me toys like this? So I did some digging.
If your dog constantly brings you toys and you’re curious why and if it’s a good thing, well, wonder no more.
In this article we are going to break down why dogs bring us their toys.
Table of Contents
Why Do Dogs Bring You Toys?
There are a number of reasons dogs bring you their toys and all of them stem from their natural instincts. If you are wondering wether or not this is normal behavior, the answer is a resounding yes!
Let’s take a closer look at the reasons a dog will bring you their toys:
They Love You And Want To Play With You
Dogs are smart creatures that want to please their owners, but they don’t realize the reason why we love them.
They think that by bringing us toys, they will make us happy and thus be our best friends forever.
If your dog is constantly bringing you new toys, it means he or she loves you and wants to please you!
It also means that your furry friend trusts you and has faith that you will care for their toy.
In addition, it also has to do with your dog wanting to play or get attention from you.
Dogs love playing fetch (and catch) because they enjoy the thrill of chasing after something and being rewarded with a game of tug-of-war.
Plus, when they bring you a toy, it means that they want some one on one time with you!
Most of the time dogs just want your attention and to play. You are their best friend in the whole wide world so playing with you is likely their favorite thing to do (aside from eating of course).
They Want To Show Off Their Toy
Dogs are unique animals, with their own quirks and peculiar habits. One of the most common characteristics of dogs is that they show off to those around them by playing with their toys.
Sometimes your dog may come up to you with their toy just to show off and express their excitement!
They will drop the toy in front of you and then as you go to grab it they will quickly steal it away.
Why bring the toy to you if they don’t want to give it up?
It could be that some dogs do this as a game of Keep-away.
Your dog has likely learned that anytime something is in their mouth or a toy is around they get more attention.
Regardless of your dog’s motivation if they are getting your attention they got what they wanted.
In some cases your dog might be extremely excited to see you, so they grab their toy in order to relive some excitement.
They’re Bored And Need Something To Do
If you have a dog and find that they’re often bored then bringing you toys is likely their way of entertaining themselves. It keeps them busy, active, and helps alleviate their boredom.
Some dog breeds tend to be more energetic and hyper then others.
If you know your dog tends to be athletic and energetic, it is likely that they are bringing you toys to entertain themselves.
Playing fetch and stimulating your dog is a good way to relieve your dog’s boredom. It can also strengthen the bond between you and your pet while making exercise fun for both of you.
So next time your dog brings you their toy make sure to play with them for a bit to tucker them out.
You can also give them a treat dispensing toy that will give them something to do without you needing to directly play with them.
Other Considerations
In a lot of cases, dog owners are actually the reason dogs do this!
If your dog brings over a toy and you smile, that has encouraged the behavior. When you respond to the toy by playing with them, you have encouraged the behavior.
Now every time they bring you a toy they have associated it with a reward.
Lastly, consider this, dogs were pack animals at one point in history. Nowadays their pack is your family, in which you are the alpha.
This means your dog might be bringing you toys to ensure his place in the pack.
Why Do Dogs Bring Toys But Then Won’t Let Go?
It is common for dogs to bring their toys to you and then refuse to let go. Most of the time, this is their way of getting you to play with them. If you know your dog loves playing games like tug of war, this is likely what they want to do.
Why Does My Dog Bring Me Toys When I Come Home?
This is likely your dog’s way of greeting you. When you come home, they are so excited to see you that they want to say hello and play! This can also be their way of showing you how much they miss you.
Dogs that are overly excited when your home need to release their energy somehow, and grabbing a toy is one way of dealing with all the excitement.
So next time your dog greets you at the door with a toy, make sure to play with them and give them attention.
Why Dogs Walk Around With Objects In Their Mouth
Dogs walk around with objects in their mouth for a few different reasons. One of the most common is that they cherish the object they are carrying. In addition, some dogs can be protective over different things and might walk around to keep them safe.
Another reason might be that they are trying to get your attention.
For example, suppose you often ignore your dog when they are trying to get your attention. In that case, they might start carrying things around in their mouth to get you to interact with them.
What To Do When Your Dog Brings You Their Toys
The best thing to do when your dog brings you toys is to actually play with your dog. This will give them the attention they are looking for and let them know that their behavior is acceptable.
By doing this, you are also helping relieve any boredom or energy that your dog might be feeling.
However, note that by doing this, you are encouraging the behavior. So, If you do not like this behavior, the best thing to do is to ignore it. Do not play with your dog or give them attention when they bring you their toys.
If you do this enough, they will eventually stop bringing you their toys, as they will not be getting the attention they want.
Final Thoughts
So, is it normal for dogs to bring you their toys? Yes!
Overall there are many reasons for dogs bringing you toys. As a recap here are some of the major reasons:
- They Love You And Want To Play With You
- They Want To Show Off Their Toy
- They’re Bored And Need Something To Do
- They’re Ensuring Their Place In Your Pack
- They’re Expressing Their Trust In You
- They’re Expressing Their Excitement
We hope this article helped you learn more about why dogs bring you their toys.
Other posts you might find interesting:
How To Disinfect Dog Toys To Keep Your Dog Safe And Healthy