Why Dogs Pick Up Everything They Find: The Science Behind This Common Behavior

One of the questions I often get from dog owners — and one I’ve personally observed throughout my 50 years in dog breeding and training — is:

"Why does my dog pick up everything from the floor or the yard, even when I give them plenty of toys?"

"Why dogs pick up things: Natural curiosity and foraging instincts drive dogs to explore the world through their mouths."

There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Many believe it’s simply because a dog has too many toys or not enough toys. But that’s not the root cause. The true reasons are deeper — rooted in biology, psychology, and instinct.

Let’s explore the real science behind this very natural, yet sometimes dangerous, behavior.

It's How Dogs Explore the World

Dogs experience life through their senses, and their mouth is a critical tool. Much like human toddlers, dogs use their mouths to explore textures, tastes, and smells.

Picking up objects gives dogs valuable information about their environment. It’s perfectly normal behavior, especially in young dogs — but the instinct never fully disappears in adult dogs either.

"Dog behavior explained: Carrying and mouthing objects is a deeply rooted instinct seen in many dog breeds."

Foraging and Hunting Instincts

One of the most important factors behind this behavior is your dog’s natural foraging and prey-seeking drive.

Long before they became our beloved companions, dogs were scavengers and hunters. The instinct to pick up, carry, and chew on objects is deeply ingrained:

-Sticks, leaves, stones, or trash activate this ancient drive.

-Some breeds (retrievers, shepherds, hunting dogs) show it more strongly because we selectively bred them to work with their mouths.

*The behavior is not about toys — it’s about instinct.

Even in modern homes, dogs express this behavior whenever the opportunity arises.

The Role of Stress, Anxiety, and Boredom

This brings us back to the question, Why Dogs Pick Up Everything They Find: The Science Behind This Common Behavior

When dogs are stressed, anxious, or bored, their need to interact with the environment increases.

- If a dog doesn’t get enough structured mental stimulation and physical exercise, they often start scavenging and picking things up to fill that void.

- This is also true for dogs that live with too many toys without structure — the dog learns that novelty lies outside the toy box, in the environment.

-Dogs raised with no toys at all may also desperately seek oral stimulation outdoors — a behavior reinforced by stress or frustration.

"Managing dog anxiety: Stress and boredom can trigger dogs to compulsively pick up and chew random objects."

When Picking Becomes Dangerous: Pica in Dogs

In some cases, picking up and swallowing objects becomes compulsive and can lead to Pica — a condition where dogs ingest non-food items.

Possible causes include:

- Nutritional deficiencies

-Underlying gastrointestinal problems

-Neurological compulsions or OCD-like behaviors

*If your dog repeatedly swallows dangerous objects, it’s critical to seek veterinary evaluation.

"Pica in dogs: Swallowing dangerous objects may indicate a medical condition requiring immediate veterinary care."

Learned Patterns: Why Your Dog Repeats It

Dogs are very good at learning which behaviors get a reaction:

-Picking up an object may earn attention, even if it’s scolding.

-For some dogs, carrying objects is a way to interact with humans

-Without proper training, this behavior can easily become a reinforced habit.

How to Manage This Behavior Safely

Here’s what I recommend — from decades of practical experience:

1.Supervise your dog outdoors. Prevent dangerous object ingestion by watching them closely.

2.Enrichment matters. Use structured games that satisfy your dog’s foraging instinct, like puzzle feeders and search games.

3.Teach the “Leave It” and “Drop It” commands. These are lifesaving skills for all dogs.

4.Provide appropriate chew and carry toys — and rotate them to keep interest high.

5. Address stress and boredom — ensure your dog’s exercise and mental stimulation needs are fully met.

6.Consult your vet if the behavior escalates to dangerous swallowing.

"Safe dog training: Teaching dogs the 'Leave it' and 'Drop it' commands prevents the ingestion of dangerous objects."

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About Toys

Many owners believe this behavior comes from having too many toys or none at all — but the real story is more complex.

It is driven by instinct, psychology, environment, and learning history.

As dog owners and breeders, understanding this helps us manage the behavior compassionately and safely. Dogs will always have this urge — it’s up to us to guide them through it.

If you found this article helpful, be sure to explore more of our educational blogs at Southernwind K9 — and always feel free to reach out with your questions. Together, we can continue learning about the dogs we love so much. 🐾