Have you ever come home from work or running errands to find your dog enthusiastically waiting for you, along with a toy or ball in their mouth? It can be quite endearing that your dog loves you so much and wants to bring you a gift when you come home. You might wonder why dogs exhibit this behavior of bringing gifts to you or guests when they visit. So, why do dogs bring you things? Here are a few reasons your dog might bring you things:

1. They Want To Play

If you’ve been gone all day and your dog was home all alone, they probably simply took a lot of naps. But once you’re back home, they’re all excited and ready to play! When they bring you a toy the moment you come home, they are telling you they want to spend time with you and to play.

Channeling Excited Energy Into Play

Dogs need plenty of mental stimulation, especially if they’ve been home alone for a while, so they are craving that interaction and stimulation. If they are overly excited that you’re home and are ready to play, it might be a sign your dog is lonely.

If possible, you may want to consider asking a friend to check in once a day or hire a dog sitter or walker. Doggy daycare is another great option! Giving your dog some company and an outlet for their energy when you have to be away from home are some benefits of doggy daycare.

Associating Specific Patterns and Cues With Playtime

They may also have learned that you tend to play with them as soon as you get home. Dogs learn by recognizing patterns. So, if this has been a consistent behavior, they may have associated playtime with this pattern and learned to expect it when you return. Bringing you a toy is just part of this routine.

2. It’s Instinctual

Many dogs have been bred for specific behaviors. One of these behaviors is retrieving, or quite literally bringing something to their owner. If your dog is a retrieving breed, they will bring you gifts, even if they have not been asked to. This behavior is as natural to them as herding is to breeds like Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, or Sheepdogs

If you have a retrieving breed, you won’t even necessarily need to teach them how to retrieve. This is because this behavior is often self-reinforced, which means that a specific action is a reward in itself. Simply finding an object and taking it to you can make them feel important and valuable. This is why dogs like Labrador Retrievers seem to have an almost insatiable need for retrieving.

3. They’re Trying To Get Your Attention

Bringing you a gift is a great way for your dog to get your attention. Dogs are pretty smart. They know that if they bring you a gift, you have to pay attention to them. They might bring you an object that communicates to you what they want, such as a leash for a walk or a ball to play fetch.

4. Your Dog Wants To Show Off Their Toy

Sometimes a dog will bring you their favorite toy, but not necessarily to communicate that they want to play at that exact moment. Sometimes, they simply want to show off. Dogs love attention and may appear to tease you with their toy.

They might dance around with it, but then quickly retreat when you reach for it. This is simply a way for them to hold your attention for longer, and it’s often a fun game for most dogs. Paying attention to and playing with your dog is a great way to build a bond with your dog. Plus, it’s a great way to socialize with them and even help them calm down for the rest of the evening.

5. They Are Telling You They Love You

Has your dog ever brought you their favorite toy when you are feeling sad or upset? This can be a way dogs show love. Dogs are perceptive when it comes to human emotion and often do their best to help cheer them up.

If a certain toy makes your dog happy, they may think that the same toy will help cheer you up, too. While there is no concrete proof that dogs bring gifts to their humans for this reason, many dog owners have shared this experience.

6. They’re Asking For Help

Sometimes dogs bring you things to indicate that they need help or assistance in some way. For example, if it’s dinner time, and you still haven’t fed them, they may bring your bowl to you to remind you that they are hungry. If their water bowl is empty, they may do the same thing.

7. Your Dog Is Greeting Your Guest

Some dogs love to bring guests their toys as a way to introduce themselves. If a dog brings a guest a toy, it is a good indicator that they feel safe and comfortable around this person. If your guest is someone they know well, bringing them a toy is a way of saying hello and maybe even asking that person to play with them.

If your dog is shy around new people, there are some tips to help your shy dog be more comfortable. Early socialization can help dogs adjust to unfamiliar situations, and once they warm up to a new guest, they’ll be bringing them gifts in no time!

So, why do dogs bring you things? There are a lot of reasons, but most often it’s because they are looking for attention of some sort. Making sure your dog gets plenty of attention is important in maintaining their mental health and well-being.