Why Does My Dog Want Me To Hold His Bone? (7 Common Reasons)

Dogs are known for being loyal companions, and many dog owners will tell you that their furry friend loves them unconditionally.

But what happens when your dog brings you his or her favorite bone and begs you to hold it? Why do they do this?

Here are seven of the most common reasons why your dog might want you to hold their bone.

1. To Make It Easier To Chew

The first reason why your dog might want you to hold their bone is so that they can have an easier time chewing it.

By holding the bone while he chews it, you are making it much easier for him to eat. The position of the bone in his mouth makes it difficult for him to apply enough pressure to break it apart.

When you hold it for him, he can concentrate on chewing without having to worry about dropping the bone or losing his grip on it.

This behavior is often seen in puppies who are still getting the hang of chewing on bones. Or, it can also be seen in adult dogs who chew bones that are too big for them.

While this behavior can be seen as a sign of trust and affection, it can also be quite annoying. Not only does the bone drip with saliva while your dog eats, but it can also get your clothes dirty.

If your dog constantly begs you to hold his bone and you are getting tired of it, one way to reduce this behavior is to give him a sizeable bone. This will make it easier for him to chew and so he won’t need to ask you for help as often.

2. They Are Expressing Trust

Fido may not be able to tell you in words, but there are certain things he does that show he trusts you.

For example, when he brings you his bone and drops it at your feet, he’s telling you that he trusts you to take care of it for him.

He knows you won’t eat it or throw it away – you’ll keep it safe until he’s ready to chew on it again. This may not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually a very important show of trust.

After all, bones are valuable commodities in the dog world, and Fido is entrusting you with one of his most prized possessions.

So the next time your dog drops his bone at your feet, take it as a sign of trust and affection and return the favor by keeping it safe for him.

3. It Could Be a Sign of Affection

There’s a good chance that you might have accidentally rewarded him for this behavior in the past.

For example, if you’ve given your dog a treat or some attention when he’s walking around with his bone, he may have learned that bringing the bone to you is a good way to get what he wants.

Dogs are quick learners and will often do anything to please their owners, especially if they think it will result in a treat or some other form of reward.

This means that dogs can be trained to perform all sorts of tricks and tasks, from the simple (sitting, staying) to the complex (herding, agility).

This willingness to please also means that dogs will often repeat behaviors that have been rewarded in the past, even if they are no longer receiving a direct reward.

This makes them reliable workers and loyal friends, but it also means that they can be prone to developing bad habits if they are not given enough attention or positive reinforcement.

This is why it’s important to be careful about how you respond when your dog does something.

4. They Want To Get Your Attention

Dogs are masters of attention-seeking behavior. They will whine, bark, and even bring you their bones in an attempt to get your focus.

While this can be irritating at times, it’s important to remember that our furry friends are just trying to communicate with us.

Dogs often seek attention when they are bored, anxious, or lonely.

By giving them our time and affection, we can help them feel secure and loved. In return, they will shower us with tail wags, kisses, and slobbery smiles.

5. It Could Be a Way To Show Possessiveness

In the animal world, it’s common for animals to claim ownership of things by bringing them to their den or sleeping with them.

Dogs are no exception.

In some cases, when a dog brings you his bone, he may be trying to show possession over you as well. This is especially true if you have other pets in the house.

By asking you to hold his bone, the dog is essentially saying that you are his and he doesn’t want to share you with anyone else.

Of course, not all dogs are possessive of their owners, it really depends on the individual dog’s personality. But if you have multiple dogs in the house, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any signs of possessiveness, just to be safe.

6. They Are Showing Submission

In the wild, dogs are pack animals, and the Alpha Dog is the leader of the pack. The Alpha Dog gets the first to pick up the food, and the other dogs in the pack will defer to him.

When your dog brings his bone to you and drops it at your feet, he’s showing that he considers you to be the Alpha Dog. This is a sign of respect and loyalty.

When most people think of a submissive dog, they imagine a timid animal that cowers at the slightest sound.

However, submission is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, up to a certain point, it can be beneficial for both the dog and its owner.

A submissive dog is typically easier to train than a more headstrong breed, and they are also less likely to exhibit aggression.

As long as the owner is willing to put in the work to properly socialize and train their dog, a submissive personality can be an asset rather than a liability. Of course, there is a fine line between healthy submission and timidity.

When Submission becomes excessive, it can be indicative of a problem.

Dogs who are excessively submissive may be Fearful or anxious, and this can lead to aggression or other behavioral problems.

Excessive submission can also be a sign of dominance aggression, where the dog is trying to assert itself over the pack leader.

In either case, it is important to seek professional help to address the problem.

7. They Might Ask for Playtime

It’s no secret that dogs love to play. From chasing a ball to gnawing on a bone, playtime is an essential part of a dog’s day. If your dog nudges you with his bone or drops it at your feet, it’s possible that he’s asking you to join in on the fun.

This is especially true if he’s been playing by himself for a while and is starting to get bored. It’s recommended to set at least 30 minutes aside each day to play with your dog.

Dogs are not only man’s best friend, but they can also be wonderful playmates. Playing with your dog can provide a number of benefits, both for you and for your pet.

For starters, playing with your dog is a great way to get some exercise. If you’re looking for a fun way to get out and about, playing fetch or going for a walk with your pup is the perfect solution.

Spending time playing with your dog can also help to build the bond between you and your pet. Dogs are social creatures, and regular playtime will help them to feel happy and secure.

Additionally, playing with your dog can help to keep them mentally sharp. Dogs need regular stimulation in order to stay healthy, and playing games is the perfect way to provide that.

Should You Be Concerned?

For the most part, there is not a huge reason to be concerned with your dog’s behavior of wanting you to hold his bone.

It’s normal for dogs to want their owners to hold their bones. In fact, it’s often a sign of affection. After all, when your dog brings you his bone, he’s essentially saying, “I trust you and I want you to be a part of my meal.”

However, if your dog starts to show aggressive behavior while he’s doing this, it’s important to address the issue. Aggression can be dangerous, both for you and for your dog, and it’s important to nip it in the bud as soon as possible.

Additionally, if your dog seems excessively submissive or anxious, it’s a good idea to seek professional help. These behaviors can be indicative of larger problems, and it’s important to get to the root of the issue.

A trained professional can help you to understand your dog’s behavior and find the best way to address it.

How To Stop Your Dog From Bringing You His Bone

If you’re not interested in holding your dog’s bone, there are a few things that you can do to discourage the behavior.

1. Ignore The Behavior

One of the best ways to stop your dog from bringing you his bone is to simply ignore the behavior.

If your dog brings you his bone and you don’t respond, he’ll eventually get the message that the behavior is not going to get him the attention that he wants.

It’s important to be consistent with this, however. If you sometimes let your dog get away with the behavior, he’ll quickly learn that he only has to try it a few times before he gets what he wants.

2. Distract Your Dog

Another way to stop your dog from bringing you his bone is to distract him with another activity.

If your dog starts to bring you his bone, try to ask him to do something else instead. This could be anything from sitting to fetching a toy.

The key is to divert his attention away from the bone and towards something else.

3. Give Your Dog Enough Attention

One of the main reasons that dogs bring their owners their bones is because they’re looking for attention.

If you make sure to give your dog enough attention, he’ll be less likely to seek it out by bringing you his bone.

This means taking the time to play with him, pet him, and just spend quality time together.

Conclusion

Dogs often want their owners to hold their bones as a sign of trust and affection. However, if your dog becomes aggressive or excessively submissive, it may be indicative of a larger problem. In either case, it’s important to seek professional help.