Why does a dog put a toy on a person’s feet and chew it?

Our dogs are amazing creatures and sometimes they do amazing things. For example, you decided to relax after a hard day and sat on the sofa. And the pet grabs your favorite toy, puts it on your feet and starts chewing the toy. What does he mean by this? And why do dogs do this?

Why do dogs like to chew on toys?

Before looking at complex behavior, let’s understand its elements. Why do dogs like to chew on toys?

First of all, because it is a great way to keep yourself busy.

Secondly, it is a way of implementing hunting behavior. The toy in this case plays the role of prey. And even if the dog is domestic, it still bears echoes of the life of hunter ancestors – to a greater or lesser extent.

Why does the dog sit or lie down on the owner’s legs?

So, we have dealt with one element of complex behavior. But why does a dog sit or lie down on our feet? There can be many reasons for this, but most of them are nothing to worry about.

First, in this way the dog shows love for you. She cannot express feelings in words, but she can show them with actions. Have you ever seen how puppies sleep side by side? Physical intimacy for them is similar to emotional intimacy. And in this way they show a good attitude.

Secondly, your feet may smell nice to the dog. Including it is on them that your smell is concentrated to the maximum extent, which, of course, is loved by the dog. So that the pet enjoys your fragrance.

Sometimes the dog cuddles up to the legs when frightened. This action calms her down and makes her feel more secure.

So what makes a dog put a toy on our feet and chew on it?

If we combine the two elements of behavior discussed above, we will better understand why the dog does this. She just combines two favorite actions. Double pleasure! Chewing on your favorite toy brings joy, and doing it on your loved one’s feet makes the process even more enjoyable. In addition, a person can also caress a four-legged friend. The height of bliss!

Should I be concerned about this behavior?

Most often not. However, sometimes the dog may show aggression. For example, growl or rush if someone approaches you or a toy. This is called resource protection. This behavior is not uncommon, and, unfortunately, it is difficult for owners to correct it themselves. You may need to contact a humane professional to correct the situation.

However, chewing on a toy on your feet is often a harmless display of affection and a way to get pleasure. So you can enjoy the closeness of your pet.