Puppy Patiently Waiting To Show Off New Toy To Neighbors Is Giving Us The Feels
When you get something new that excites you, chances are, you want to show it off to others, right? It might be a fresh-off-the-lot car, a new home, or a new hairdo paired with a different hair color. Who says dogs can't feel the same way about their new something? A puppy named Odie in Belgium experienced the "Hey, look what I just got!" excitement when his human gave him a new stuffed toy. He happily stood in front of the fence in his backyard with hopes of showing it to his neighbors.
The moment was posted on TikTok and garnered more than 1,200 comments, 90,000 likes, and 9,000 shares in less than two weeks. Sadly, the neighbors don't appear in the clip to celebrate Odie's new toy with him, but his owner revealed in the comments that one of them did get to see the toy later, off-camera. Plus, both neighbors appear in other videos on his @odie_thegoldie account. In a more recent clip, Odie (sans toy) happily greets one at the fence. The neighbor responds by giving Odie head rubs, dog treats, and chin scratches. If only every dog owner had neighbors like Odie's.
@odie_thegoldie Odie wants to show his new cuddly toy to the neighbor.. 🥹 #odie #odiethegoldie #goldenretriever #puppy #fyp
Perhaps you have a dog that also obsesses over its new toys and demands to show them to you, even though you're probably the one who bought them. So why do dogs bring toys to their humans — or their neighbors? Is it really just about showing off? Experts say there's more to it than that.
Why dogs love bringing their toys to humans
Odie's sweet moment at the fence isn't just about waiting for the neighbor to come out and see his plushie. It might also be a classic case of canine psychology. When dogs proudly present their toys, yes, they're likely showing off their treasures, but pet behavior experts say this gesture can mean other things, too. PetMD's Dr. Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, suggests that it could be a request to play together (fetch toys, tug-of-war toys, etc.), a way to express affection, or a symbol of love and trust. Dogs are social animals, after all, so offering a favorite toy can be a way to bond or an invitation to interact.
A 2008 study published in Animal Cognition also reveals something about toys and dog behavior. Dogs are naturally curious and sometimes prefer new objects over the ones that already carry their scent — and saliva. The study involving 17 dogs found that 76% of the time, dogs show a strong preference for novelty, choosing new toys over old ones. This would explain why Odie was so anxious to show off his "new cuddly toy" to his neighbors.
So, whether your pup brings you a toy when you or a familiar guest walks in the door or proudly parades it near the fence like Odie, know this: it's some combination of love, affection, playfulness, and "OMG! Check out my new toy!" excitement. But perhaps more importantly, it's one of the signs your dog loves you, and for any dog lover, it's an adorable act every single time.