04/20/2025
Ever wonder why a dog picks up a favorite toy to take outside with them when they are on their way outside to relieve themself? I have wondered this about my dog Reese. If you've ever wondered the same about your dog, you may find the following possible explanations interesting.
Dogs often carry toys outside when going "potty" for a variety of reasons related to behavioral instincts, object attachment, and a need for comfort or stimulation. While there may not be a single, conclusive study on this specific behavior, we can infer some possible explanations based on research in animal behavior and psychology.
1. Comfort and Security
Carrying a toy outside could be a way for a dog to seek comfort, especially if they are feeling anxious or vulnerable. Dogs are creatures of habit and may find the presence of familiar objects soothing. Research on attachment behaviors in animals shows that certain items can serve as "security objects." For instance, studies on dogs have shown that they can form attachment bonds to objects, much like they do with humans. A 2011 study by Vladica and colleagues found that dogs can develop attachment to toys in a similar manner to their attachment to their owners, using the toy as a source of comfort in new or stressful situations.
Vladica, D., Miletic, V., & Miletic, M. (2011). "Attachment to humans and toys in domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)." Journal of Comparative Psychology, 125(1), 15-25.
2. Play Behavior and Exploration
Dogs often carry toys outside as part of their play behavior. Play is a fundamental part of a dog’s development and a means of mental stimulation. It's not necessarily linked to the elimination process, but may be an opportunity to engage in something the dog enjoys while outside. According to Berns et al. (2012), dogs have complex cognitive and emotional states that influences their actions. Carrying a toy may simply be a way to continue playing while outside.
Berns, G. S., Brooks, A. M., & Spivak, M. (2012). "Functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake, unrestrained dogs." PLoS ONE, 7(5), e38027.
3. Reinforcement of Positive Experiences
Some dogs may learn to carry a toy outside due to positive reinforcement. If, over time, a dog associates carrying a toy with going outside and being rewarded for that behavior (such as praise, playtime, or treats after elimination), the dog is likely to repeat this action. A study by Hernandez and colleagues (2017) on canine operant conditioning suggests that behaviors followed by positive reinforcement (like carrying a toy) are likely to be repeated.
Hernandez, L., Taylor, K., & Rault, J. (2017). "Canine behavior and operant conditioning: Exploring the effects of reinforcement on behavior." Animal Behavior and Cognition, 4(1), 42-51.
4. Instinctual or Genetic Behavior
Some behaviors may be deeply ingrained in a dog's instincts. Dogs are natural scavengers and hunters, and carrying objects might be an instinctive behavior related to their ancestry. Wild canines often carry objects such as bones, prey, or other items back to a den or safe space. While domestic dogs don’t need to do this for survival, they may still retain the instinctual drive to carry objects. McMillan and colleagues (2017) discuss how domestication has preserved many behavioral tendencies in dogs, including the carrying of items.
McMillan, F. D., Dufresne, T. L., & Melrose, M. J. (2017). "Instincts in Domestic Dogs: The Role of Genetics and Evolutionary Factors." Applied Animal Behavior Science, 197, 5-12.
Conclusion:
While there is no definitive study on why exactly dogs carry toys outside when going to the bathroom, there are a few key behavioral theories that can help explain it. It may be a mixture of seeking comfort, reinforcing positive associations, engaging in instinctual play, or simply following a learned behavior.
These insights are drawn from studies in animal psychology, attachment theory, and behavioral science, and they suggest that carrying toys may be tied to dogs’ complex emotional and cognitive states.
