Why does my dog chew his bone on me

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A dog’s bone is most likely one of his prized possessions -- it’s up there with the squeaky toy. So you should truly feel special if he brings the bone over and lays it beside you. This simple sign of affection and adoration lets you know that your dog absolutely thinks the world of you: He wants to share his prize.

Your four-legged chum could be dropping his bone off right beside you just to get you to focus on him. You’ve been away all day, after all, and he wants a few minutes of your undivided attention. Take a few minutes away from the television or your cell phone and give him a good rub. Let him know that no matter who else comes along, he’s still your best friend.

Of course, it is possible that leaving the bone next to you is a play request. If Buster is one who loves to play with his bone -- tossing it across the floor or hiding it around the house for later -- he’s inviting you to join in and play when he drops it beside you. Pick up the bone, toss it across the room or yard and give your mischievous pooch something to chase. Your play session gives him some quality one-on-one time with you, plus it wears him down in the process.

In a wild wolf pack, it’s tradition for the strong pack leader to eat first. Everyone else gets to nibble on whatever’s leftover. When your beloved chum gives you his bone, he may be recognizing you as pack leader. He wants to make sure you get to dine before him. Pick it up, make like you're taking a bite, pet him and give it right back to him. Let Buster know that you’re grateful for his kind gesture, but he can go ahead and enjoy his treat.

Some dogs are possessive of their toys, bones and food. They’ll growl or snap at you simply for reaching down to pick up their special possession. But when your pup offers to share something with you, like his bone, he’s signaling that he feels fully comfortable with you. He trusts you enough to let you have a nibble at his bone, knowing that you’ll share it with him or give it right back.

Your dog may have a lot of odd quirks that you don’t understand. If one of them happens to be bringing her toys on your lap to chew on them, there may be a reason why your dog prefers to do this.

Understanding your dog’s behaviors will make it easier to bond and enjoy every minute together.

Why does my dog chew his toys on me? The most likely reason your dog is bringing toys to your lap to chew on them is that she wants your attention and you unwittingly encourage her. Your dog may also feel safe and secure on your lap, or she may simply enjoy your company. She may also be using you to stabilize the toy while she chews.

If your dog is chewing her toys on your lap and you are curious about the reason, read on to learn more.

5 Reasons Why Your Dog Chews Toys on You

Your dog may prefer to bring her toys to your lap to chew them or play with them. There are many reasons why she may be demonstrating this behavior.

If you prefer for your dog to chew her toys elsewhere, you will need to correct the behavior.

1. Wants To Play With You

Your dog may be bringing her toys to your lap because she wants to get your attention and for you to join in the fun.

The dog may think that if you see the toy or see her playing with it, you will want to play with it too.

2. For Companionship

Your dog could be bringing her toys to your lap because she wants some companionship or feels lonely when she is playing by herself.

She may just prefer to have you nearby while she chews or plays with toys, and bringing them to your lap will allow your dog to feel closer to you.

3. Feels Safe & Secure

Your lap may feel like the safest place for your dog. When your dog is on your lap, she may know that she won’t get stepped on or be in the way.

She may also feel safe and secure and know that other dogs or people will not be able to take away her toys if you’re there to protect her.

4. To Stabilize the Toy

Your dog may have a hard time keeping the toy stable or holding it while she chews on it.

When she is able to move the toy to your lap, she may feel like she is able to keep the toy in place and have a better grip on it to chew it the way she prefers.

5. You Encourage the Behavior

If you pet your dog or talk to her a lot when your dog brings the toy to your lap, you could be encouraging her to bring the toy to you.

Calling your dog over to bring you her toys could be another way she feels encouraged to bring toys to you.

Signs Your Dog Wants Attention

Dogs need a lot of attention, and they need to be close to their owners. If your dog is not getting enough attention, she may act out.

Excessive Barking

Some dogs are very vocal when they want attention. If your dog appears to be barking for no reason or is barking directly at you, she could be trying to get your attention, hoping you’ll play with her.

Destructive Behavior

Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and become destructive when they do not get enough attention from their owners.

Your dog may choose to chew on furniture or property or even scratch and paw at the carpet as a way to get your attention.

Restlessness

You may notice that your dog gets up and follows you around a lot. She may also pace and walk back and forth in front of you until you pay attention to her.

Nudging you or pawing you is another common sign that your dog is bored and needs some extra attention.

Being Overly Clingy

It is normal for your dog to want to be close to you, but if she seems to be extra clingy, she could be wanting more attention from you.

Giving your dog some more attention will reassure her and help her relax.

Why Does My Dog Carry Food Away From the Bowl?

Your dog may carry food away because she feels safer and more secure in another area.

Your dog might prefer to be more secluded and private when she eats or may feel that other dogs will try to take her food if she continues to eat it from the bowl.

Why Does My Dog Lick My Feet?

Licking is a sign that your dog feels close to you and wants your attention. Sometimes dogs will lick their owner’s feet because they want their owner to notice them.

Conclusion

Your dog needs a lot of attention and will find ways to get it if you aren’t offering enough.

If your dog is bringing her toy to your lap to chew it, she could be acting out and just want you to pay attention to her. The more you encourage the behavior, the more your dog will do it.

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There are a couple of reasons dogs like to chew their toys on you. It could be because they want your attention or want to play with you. But, most commonly, your dog feels comforted and safe in your presence. This is their way of letting you know they trust you.

Have you ever wondered why your dog jumps on your lap and starts chewing their toys on you? Although not every dog owner has this happen to them, the ones that do are puzzled by this behavior.

Do dogs chew their toys on you because they want you to know they’re in a playful mood? Are they trying to tell you they want your attention? Is it some sort of threat or a show of dominance? What’s the point of a dog chewing their toys on you?

You’re The Alpha

Dogs are pack animals, so they gravitate towards the people they’re most often around. This tendency is even stronger when the dog sees you as someone who will protect them (the alpha). As a result, you’ll be a target of their toy chewing.

If you don’t want your dog to chew toys on you, there are a few things you can do:

Create a play area for them
Stand up and move when they try to chew toys on you
Ignore them completely when the unwanted behavior occurs

Doing some (or all) of these things will help your dog realize that you’re not a big fan of their unpleasant habit.

Remember to not punish your dog for chewing toys on you, as this could cause fear and aggression. A neutral or positive reaction is more likely to be successful and healthier in the long run.

If you like or don’t mind your dog chewing toys on you, you could encourage the behavior by petting them or talking to them in a baby voice. Dogs respond very positively to this behavior.

Why Do Dogs Chew Toys On You?

1. Comfort

If a dog chews their toy on your lap, this means the dog trusts you. Your dog wants to chew their toy while enjoying your presence. For them, it’s a win-win.

A dog chewing toys on you isn’t much different than a little kid wanting to play with their toys around their parents. Both animals and humans are drawn to their caretakers.

The next time a dog jumps in your lap and starts to chew their toys on you, it’s a big compliment and tells you a lot about how they view you.

2. Attention

It’s a known fact that dogs love attention from their owner. A dog chewing their toys on you could be their way of trying to get your attention.

If you feel as if your dog is doing this for your attention, try giving them more affection at different times of the day so they won’t feel as if chewing toys in your lap is the only way for you to notice them.

3. Playfulness

Is your dog chewing a toy on your lap, but they keep letting it go and lunging for it? Are they playfully growling and aggressively shaking their toys? If so, they’re probably trying to tell you they want to play.

Your dog may want you to know that he’s in a playful mood and needs to get some energy out!

Again, if you don’t want your dog chewing toys in your lap, try playing with them more.

What To Do If Your Dog Chews Toys On You

Before you do anything, you need to decide if you mind the fact that your dog chews toys on your lap. For them, it’s an act of love and trust. But how do you feel about it?

1. Encourage the behavior

If you don’t mind your dog chewing toys on you, you can encourage them to continue this behavior. You can pet them while they’re on your lap or talk to them in a baby voice.

Also, if they try to play with you, start playing with them. Dogs will love this!

2. Create a play area

If you’re not a big fan of your dog chewing toys on your lap, then you could create a play area for them.

One reason dogs chew toys on you because they feel safe and comfortable, so creating an area for them to play with their toys while feeling comfortable will encourage them to play there instead of on your lap.

In a corner, lay down a blanket or a comfy bed and add a crate of toys. The next time your dog tries to chew their toys on you, take their toy and put it in the play area.

3. Stand up

The next time your dog tries to chew a toy on you, stand up and move somewhere else. Once you make a habit of doing this, your dog will understand that you will move if they chew toys on your lap. As a result, they will learn not to go onto your lap to chew their toys.

4. Ignore them

If your dog keeps trying to get your attention by chewing toys on you, completely ignore them and continue to do what you were doing.

This strategy depends on your dog’s personality. If your dog is clingy and needs a lot of attention, then this tip will probably work. Once they realize you won’t pay them attention if they’re chewing toys on you, then they’ll go chew their toys somewhere else.

But, if your dog doesn’t need much attention, this tip most likely won’t work. Why? Because they’re probably chewing toys on you because they feel comforted by your presence.

In this case, try to either create a play area for them or move whenever they start to chew a toy on your lap.

5. Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to teach a habit to your dog (or anyone). The gist of positive reinforcement is simple: every time your dog does something you like, you give them a treat. In this case, every time your dog chews their toys somewhere that’s not on you, you’ll give them a treat.

Eventually, once your dog realizes that it’s better for everyone if they don’t chew their toys on you, then you’ll stop giving them treats for not chewing their toys on you.

Remember to not use negative reinforcement or punishment. This will only make your dog fear you, which could lead to an increase in aggression. Instead of punishing your dog, use positive reinforcement or treats when your dog doesn’t chew their toys on you.

Remember, from a dog’s point of view, chewing toys on their owner’s lap isn’t strange at all. In fact, it’s a compliment.

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