Why Does My Dog Greet Me with A Toy in Her Mouth?

Every time you come home, it warms your heart to hear your dog greet you enthusiastically at the door. Every dog's greeting ritual is unique - some may wag their tails and lick their owners, while others may jump on them or whimper or bark in greeting.

One of the most unique ways to greet you is when your dog greets you with his favorite toy in his mouth. If your dog likes to bring you a toy when you come home, you may wonder why.

The answer can be a little complicated, as different dogs have different motivations for bringing their toys to the door. Here are three of the most common reasons.

Your Dog Wants to Play

While you're busy at work or running errands, your dog is napping at home because there's really not much else to do when you're not home. That's why when you come home, it's likely to be his happiest moment of the day.

This excitement can sometimes last throughout the night, or your pup may only have an initial burst of energy when you come home.

For some dogs, this excitement may stem from wanting to play with you, especially if you usually play with your dog as soon as you get home.

Dogs quickly learn that it's playtime when you come home. When your dog brings you a toy, it's him saying "Come play with me!"

Most owners provide their dogs with a variety of dog toys that engage them in different ways to stimulate them physically and mentally.

The toy your puppy chooses to give you is probably the toy you use to play with him most often. If you like this greeting behavior, continue playing with him when you get home.

Your Dog Wants to Show Off Their Toy

Some dogs may give their favorite dog toy to their owners but not necessarily want to play with it right away. They will jump in front of you and appear to "show off" their toy, then back off whenever you reach for the toy.

So you might be thinking, if they don't want to give up their precious toy, then why are they showing it to me? So how do you respond to this behavior? If you start talking to him and giving him extra attention, he may enjoy the interaction.

These dogs may have learned that their owners give them more attention when they have something in their mouths, and they like to get their undivided attention when they show off their favorite toy.

Your Excited Dog Needs Distraction

For dogs that show a lot of excited behaviors, such as barking or biting, you can divert their excited behaviors by encouraging them to go find a toy. Alternatively, you can give your dog a toy as soon as you walk in the door to keep their mouth busy.

This is a great solution for dogs who are too excited and can't control themselves. It's hard for dogs to bark and bite when they have something in their mouth.

After many repetitions, dogs can learn to grab a toy as soon as they hear their owner at the door. Instead of forcing dogs to sit still, we can give dogs a different outlet for their energy.

From a simple tail wag to offering a favorite toy, every dog has a different way of greeting. Some happen to be toy bringers!