Why does she always greet us with a toy?

And you're right, wiegehts, violence doesn't solve a thing; on the contrary, it often just makes matters worse ;-) you've got to be firm but not aggressive.

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I’m reading through them all carefully and taking your comments on board.

Yes, she definitely has a bit of a mind of her own, and just when we’re chuffed about reaching a milestone, she pulls a "Kahali" on us again haha.

For example, she’d been doing so well on our walks lately—playing with dogs she didn’t know, no major scraps... really chilled! And then... at a camping trip where she met a male Jack Russell (on a lead) and a male Beauceron cross (off-lead), she was a proper little nightmare...

Briefly: the meeting with the Jack Russell started off on the wrong foot because she was off-lead and he was on a lead, his owner was clearly uneasy, and there were people everywhere... I saw it coming a mile off, but didn't have time to head it off.

Then there was the Beauceron cross who was roaming free around the campsite. Everything went fine during the first long "sniff"... but then he came back later that evening and my girl just pounced on him (he wasn't exactly relaxed either, tail up, ears pricked... etc.).

It got to the point where people were labelling her a "vicious dog" (honestly, that really winds me up! Is everything just black and white to some people?). Besides, it’s all just posturing anyway -_- people need to stop stopping dogs from expressing themselves...

Anyway, we’ve still got some work to do!

She’s got so many wonderful qualities apart from this one flaw, but of course, people only ever focus on that.

I’d like to follow on from Floriane’s explanation and emphasise that nowadays, we tend to value the idea of allowing a dog to make their own choices.

Let’s look at this dynamic and the choice your dog is making for a second.

You come home, she’s missed you (obviously). Instead of completely invading your space by jumping up at you (which is a normal reaction), she deliberately chooses (the concept of choice) to go and pick up a toy.

People often claim "anthropomorphism" where there isn't any. Domestic dogs are very human-oriented. This way of communicating is incredibly human! She is communicating using a tool—the physical toy.

A more "canine" version of an invitation to play would involve barking and doing those typical play-bow poses dogs use with each other.

She doesn't do that. She prefers to go and fetch a toy to engage with you in a much more human way (no anthropomorphism intended here).

The behaviour she chooses is incompatible with "bad" behaviour (which would be jumping all over you).

So really, I want to reassure you: you’ve got a brilliant dog. Just remember that the fact your dog is making a choice is far from a bad thing. Your role is to inspire her to make the best possible choices herself. If there was something else you’d rather she did, you’d just need to encourage her to make that "new" choice instead.

Oh, you’re having socialisation issues too? Welcome to the club! It’s definitely something that can be worked on over time and with enough practice...

Berger doesn’t like anyone (neither people nor dogs), but yesterday I had a repairman come round. Usually, she barks and charges at the "intruder", giving them a right nudge in the crotch. This time, I handled it—no barking, no nudging... she took her toy straight to the guy. Pure class! It's such a great feeling to be able to manage your dog without any violence, shouting, or corrections. I know people who really struggle and think the only way is to get in the pooch's face or scream at them to get that kind of obedience...

So let's be happy when ours bring their toys over, even to strangers haha!

Hi, this behaviour is completely normal; it’s just typical "doggy" behaviour, as you might call it. You have to put yourself in her shoes — imagine spending a whole day alone without being able to interact with anyone. If someone you love comes home after a few hours, you’d naturally want to greet them and maybe have a bit of a chat. When you get back, she’s just so happy to see you. Bringing you a toy is her way of asking to play; she’s offering to do exactly what she couldn't do while she was waiting for you. Wiggling her bum is also just a sign of how happy she is, and it’s definitely not about trying to be dominant. When she’s doing this, you can wait for her to calm down by just standing there without giving her a fuss. Once she sits down or waits nicely for a stroke, you can then respond to her by playing and saying hello. Over time, she’ll learn to come and see you and then settle down in front of you when you get home.

Floriane

Toys are a language shared between us and them.

Sometimes, when my spaniel and I are having a quiet little "chat" together, she’ll go and fetch a ball and just pop it on my lap. She’s perfectly calm and doesn't actually want to play or anything; there are just times when it's her way of saying "I love you".

Thanks for the replies!

I’m not overthinking it, though I might have made it sound that way.

I’m just curious, and my partner and I were saying, “Hang on, she does that all the time, it’s funny but why?”

So I obviously suspected she was just channelling her excitement, but I wanted to get the community’s take on it, haha.

I know I’m a pain!