Why is Ddog doing this?

[Davestwattymissus]

She has lots of toys, and a few favourites, but never really majorly attached to any of them - the favourites just get played with a bit more than the others. However last week I was cleaning out a cupboard and one of her balls fell out that must have been in there a while - nothing very exciting about it, just a cheap B&M rubber ball. Ever since she has taken it everywhere with her, sits with it in between her paws, takes it in her basket or onto the sofa, brings it to you for you to admire, whines if you aren't paying the ball enough attention! She doesn't want you to throw it or play with it, just appreciate it!

It's really cute, but I just can't work out what has brought it on, she's never done it before. All other behaviour is totally normal, so I'm not worried anything is wrong as such. She's 9, spayed before we got her as she came from a rescue. Just interested really if any doggy people might know if there's a specific explanation other than I REALLY LOVE MY BALL!

Mine is weird with toys too. Won't play with his own toys, but wants to steal items of mine. We have tried restricting the number of his own toys to increase their value, but it doesn't make much difference.

I'm interested to see what other responses you get on this.

My dog does this with the occasional toy-think they are perceived as "high value toys" by the dog-wether you can see it or not 😂

Mine will pick up a toy and walk around sobbing with it-overwhelmed by the joy.

She has a few things she feels this way about-all too much really!

I have no idea and don’t even have a dog but that’s really cute!

I don't know the answer but what I really love is when someone brings home presents ( new toys) . The utter joy they have at new toys is great to watch . Dogs love presents .

@MrsMitford3 that is too cute!

@Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 don't they just! Whenever I go shopping she seriously inspects all the bags to work out if there's anything new for her in there. Then runs to show whatever it is to DH. Dogs are just so pure, they hurt my heart with their innocent joy in the simplest of things.

My ddog used to do this with a small furry toy , she was a Jack Russell, if you took the toy and stroked / petted and made cooing type noises would look on approvingly then take it back and nestle up with it in her bed , she did this many times over the years with various ‘toys’ ( random old slipper , furry glove etc etc ) and we were advised by the vet to remove the chosen toys as she was having false pregnancies and sometimes would start to lactate, removing the toy seemed harsh but we would get ready for a walk with her and other dogs made it a very exciting occasion and the toy would be gone by the time she returned and she would forget about it , the earlier we did this the easier it was to get her to forget
I would be inclined to think this is what’s happening to your dog

I agree.

She's treating the ball like a surrogate puppy and protective issues could arrive.

Remove it when she's out of the house.

I don't have any answers, but I just wanted to say that your dog sounds adorable, Davestwattymissus.

DEspite her being nine and spayed, is the behaviour partly a little burst of maternal feeling? My male dog loves balls more than anyone has ever loved crack cocaine but his ball behaviour is organised around murdery instincts, and your dog's behaviour seems to be organised around love.