What’s Up With Dogs Carrying Toys and Whining?
Because dogs cannot talk, we can ultimately only make assumptions for their behavior. The age, gender, and breed of the dog may be factors to keep in mind when looking at specific dog behaviors. Following are several potential reasons why a dog may carry a toy and whine.
If the behavior is carried out by an unspayed female, it may be that she is exhibiting the first signs of a false pregnancy. A false pregnancy in dogs takes place after a dog has gone through heat, but she did not mate/her eggs were not fertilized.
A female in false pregnancy may therefore engage in mothering behaviors such as carrying toys around as if they were her pups. Therefore, she may form an emotional attachment to her toys and whine as she carries them around looking for a place to nest.
However, males, spayed females, and females not actively undergoing a false pregnancy may also carry toys and whine, but for quite different behaviors.
Some dogs, when given high-value items such as bones or certain toys, will whine and walk around for some time. Then they eventually calm down and decide to chew on or play with it.
Certain breeds, especially those bred to hunt rodents like Yorkies and rat terriers, perceive squeaky toys as high-value items. Labs and Goldens instead were bred to retrieve waterfowl, so a squeaky toy making a sound that mimics a downed bird may cause excitement.
If your dog does not normally hide stuff in the yard or under the pillows of your couch, it could be that he instinctively knows that there is something he is supposed to do with his treasured toy, but doesnt know what (especially if he has never seen another dog bury his treasures).
So your dog may carry his toy around whining, but since theres no ground to bury the toy in, hell whine a bit in frustration, not knowing exactly what to do.
Why Do Some Dogs Whine While Carrying Toys?
A dog typically does one of two things with its favorite toy. It might carry it to his favorite spots to relax with and gnaw on or pace restlessly with the toys in his mouth, whining endlessly.
If your dog does that latter, youre probably wondering what gives. There are several explanations for such behavior, but hes definitively not just complaining for want of a better toy!
#27: Can you get socks for dogs?
You can get socks for dogs from multiple pet stores. And shipping websites such as Amazon, AliExpress, Etsy, and more. There you can also find cotton socks for puppies that are non-slip. Some websites have socks with Christmas patterns. There are even socks with adjustable straps.
Why do Dogs like Socks (Answered)
Dogs bury things that they see as valuable in order to save them for later. By burying socks, your dog thinks they are a special thing to save for later!
If that can’t happen, rotate your dog’s toys. If their toys are exciting and entertaining then there is no need to horde socks. Likewise, you can also buy toys that are similar to the sock fabric.
Sometimes we teach dogs that the sock is a valuable thing because anytime they have it, we chase them and take it back. If you see them with the sock, calmly ask them to sit or trade it for a toy. When your dog complies, praise them lavishly!
Another hint is to increase activity level and utilize interactive toys (treat ball/muffin tin/puzzles). If your dog is tired and has other fun things to play with, then there will be no time for sock burying.
The Dogtopia Foundation enables dogs to positively change the world. To accomplish this, we currently are funding programs focused around three worthy causes: Service Dogs for Veterans, Youth Literacy Programs and Employment Initiatives for Adults with Autism.