Why Does My Dog Bring Me a Toy… But Then Refuse to Give It?

If your dog trots over with a toy dangling from their mouth, you reach out—and they pull away with a playful sparkle in their eyes—you’re not being rejected. You’re being invited.

What It Really Means

It’s a game – Dogs love chase-and-tug. By holding back the toy, they’re saying, “Come play with me!”

How to Respond

Lean into the game—pick up another toy, start tug, or play a little chase.

✨ At our partner shelter, rescues love to parade their toys around. For dogs who once had nothing, showing off a toy is pure joy—and their way of saying, “come play with me.”

Back to blog

Collections

1 4

Other Bartenders' Notes

View all
  • What we do about cats？

    What we do about cats？

    Do we rescue cats too? The short answer: yes, but differently. At PawliBar’s partner shelter, we focus mainly on dogs, but cats are not forgotten. Most cats we come across...

    What we do about cats？

    Do we rescue cats too? The short answer: yes, but differently. At PawliBar’s partner shelter, we focus mainly on dogs, but cats are not forgotten. Most cats we come across...

  • 5 Things Only Dogs Who Are Truly Loved Do

    5 Things Only Dogs Who Are Truly Loved Do

    Some dogs don’t just live with love — they wear it. You can see it in the way they walk, eat, even sleep. 1. They look at you, not through...

    5 Things Only Dogs Who Are Truly Loved Do

    Some dogs don’t just live with love — they wear it. You can see it in the way they walk, eat, even sleep. 1. They look at you, not through...

  • Why Do Small Dogs Bark at Big Dogs?

    Why Do Small Dogs Bark at Big Dogs?

    It’s not just “small dog syndrome.” Most little pups bark at bigger dogs out of nerves, not ego. In dog world, being tiny means you have to speak loud to...

    Why Do Small Dogs Bark at Big Dogs?

    It’s not just “small dog syndrome.” Most little pups bark at bigger dogs out of nerves, not ego. In dog world, being tiny means you have to speak loud to...

1 3
View all