We get it. As a dog parent, you love your puppy to bits. And all his quirks too.
Fido’s cute and sometimes confusing habits make him all the more precious to you, and you would change nothing about your adorable pooch.
But why does he keep bringing you his toys?
If your pup often runs to you with his toy in his mouth, he may be trying to tell you something. Read along to find out why your pup insists on bringing you his favourite playthings.
1. It is a positive reaction to you
Your pooch is just so happy to see you – Whether you’ve come back after a long day of work, or simply walked in from another room, he’ll come running to greet you.
Bringing along his favourite toy is a way of showing how happy he is.
2. He is bringing you a gift
When you care about a person, you share your things with them. Your puppy feels the same way and shows it by bringing you gifts.
And what could be more valuable than his precious toys?
This is his way of showing that he trusts you and wants to share his favourite playthings with you.
3. He is excited
Dogs show their excitement by jumping and barking.
Fido understands that this is wrong, and he brings his toys instead when he comes to greet you.
This helps him curb his excitement as he is focused on the toy, and he earns extra praise for being a well-behaved pup.
4. He wants to play
Your puppy has been well-behaved all day, napping and chewing calmly on his favourite treats.
When he finally comes up to you with a toy in his mouth, this is his way of letting you know that he is bored, and wants to play with you.
The type of toy he brings you also shows what he is in the mood for – If it is a rope, it’s time for tug of war. If he brings his favourite ball, it’s a game of fetch!
5. He’s showing off
You’re familiar with this peculiar routine – Your puppy brings you his toy, or his favourite stick, but runs away as soon as you try to take it.
And then he comes back and does it again.
When Fido plays this game of ‘keep away’ with you, he might be simply showing off his toy. Even if he does not want you to play, he still enjoys your attention.
What could be the reasons for this behaviour?
1. He is doing it for the pack
In the past, dogs would go out hunting and bring back food for the rest of their pack.
Your puppy now lives in your comfortable home, but he still considers your family as his pack. Bringing you toys could be his way of taking care of you.
He thinks of you as the leader of the pack, and this might even be his way of trying to please you.
2. He wants your attention
Like all his canine friends, Fido is a social animal. He needs one-on-one time with his hooman after being well-behaved all day.
When he grabs a toy as soon as you come home, this is his way of saying that he wants to be showered with praise and cuddles, or get busy in a fun play session.
3. It is his security blanket
Carrying his favourite toys around in his mouth might be your puppy’s way of dealing with anxiety.
When he is separated from you for long hours while you’re away, he spends the day playing with his toys. This keeps him busy and helps him stay calm.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Fido gets into the habit of carrying his toy around as a security blanket.
4. He is possessive about his toy
Your pooch greets you with the same toy every single time. He may not be bringing it for you.
Maybe he is particularly attached to this toy and likes to carry it around.
He is possessive, and this is his way of saying, “It’s mine!”. While this seems like harmless behaviour, watch out for any signs that he may be getting too attached.
What should I do about it?
1. Give him attention
When your puppy comes to you with a wagging tail and a toy in his mouth, it is best to give him the attention that he wants.
Play his favourite games till he is content, or take him out for a walk so that he comes home happy and satisfied.
Make sure your pooch gets attention throughout the day so that he doesn’t feel neglected.
2. Be careful about what he brings
It is adorable when Fido comes to you with toys in his mouth, but this can become a matter of concern if he starts bringing other things.
Pay attention to what he brings you. Sticks, stones and household items can break away and end up being swallowed by your pooch and can quickly become a choking hazard.
3. Teach him to ‘drop’
Make sure your puppy knows the ‘drop’ command so that he quickly leaves whatever he is carrying in his mouth.
This comes in handy when you have guests over and your pooch brings them toys covered in drool.
It is also useful in emergencies when he is carrying something that might be harmful to him.
4. If it’s harmless, it’s okay for him to do it
If your dog does not show any signs of possessiveness or aggression when you reach for his toy, there is no reason to get concerned.
It is okay to let him continue this habit as long as your dog is well-behaved and happy like usual.
Carrying a toy around makes him feel safe, and this can help in easing separation anxiety while you’re away.
Conclusion
Being a dog owner means knowing about all those weird and adorable habits that your puppy picks up. If your dog runs to greet you with a toy in his mouth, you’re not alone!
He is happy and excited to see you, and wants your attention when you’ve been busy all day.
Be careful that he doesn’t get too possessive about his toy, or that he isn’t carrying anything that shouldn’t be in his mouth.
As long as Fido is his usual happy self, it is okay to let this habit continue.
